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| Bruce Whatley |
Australian Society of Authors Open
Spaces Retreat for Picture Book Creators, Sydney, 2012.
When we think of a retreat the word
quiet springs to mind: personal, solitary time to work, reflect and
consolidate. You might even have time to be guided by another, take
long strolls to clear and sort your mind.
So what happens when a group of picture
book creators meet in Sydney for a retreat? Plenty, but a lot of what
we traditionally consider retreat essentials are reinvented and not a
lot of quiet is had!
Picture book authors and illustrators
(not unlike most authors and artisans) are cave dwelling creatures
that work mostly in isolation and solitude. The ticking deadlines are
our constant companions and the niggling domestic routine often
oversteps its boundaries into the creative caves we have established,
so when a retreat for picture book creators is offered then we must
expect the unexpected, rules to be broken or adapted and noise and
mess to be created.
What a treat. The ASA (Australian
society of Author) invited us to move into the wonderful Hughenden
Hotel in Woollahra, Sydney (near Paddington) to join them for a four
day retreat of treats and experiences we could never achieve by
ourselves.
We started on Thursday at lunch time.
We were an awkward gathering of some strangers and old friends
rabbiting around portfolios and samples and making small talk,
nervously wondering what the next few days would bring and how much
of our creative souls we were going to have to share.
Twelve of us
poured over the work of others, ‘oohing’ and ‘ahhing’,
recognising pieces from books old and new and putting faces to the
names of those who have them on covers.
We began the sessions by introducing
ourselves, our work and what we wanted to achieve from the weekend.
What inspiration and wonder, it was hard not to feel a bit
overwhelmed by the talent before us.
Then the work began. Hard work? We were
thrown into the creative pit of art supplies, provided by Micador and
told to PLAY! All afternoon, with someone sitting beside us to talk
to, and talk we did. We drew with textas, crayons, painted, rubbed
and coloured and experimented with goodies we had only admired on the
art shop shelves, what joy.
After a quick freshen up and the
removal of crayon from under fingernails we braved the heat (it was
over thirty degrees for this Tasmanian who had left Tassie trembling
in her jumper and coat) and we headed to the piano lounge for a
gathering of Sydney ASA members and guests for pre-dinner nibbles
drinks and a book launch. How spoilt was I? Part of the program was
the launch of my new book with Amanda Niland, ‘I Wish There Were
Dinosaurs.’ The launch was wonderful, the honours done by the
talented Libby Gleeson. Very apt as she has been a great encourager
on my journey as an author and had also tutored Amanda.
Off for a lovely dinner followed by
guest speaker Tohby Riddle who shared the process and journey of
creating his book ‘Unforgotten.’ The only negative was a visit
from a very large huntsman who decided to walk across the wall behind
Tohby during the talk making it hard for those of us arachnophobes in
the audience to look up at the power point presentation).
Friday was an early start. Early
breakfast (6.30 am)put on by the hotel to accommodate our busy
schedule and then we were off to catch a bus. Laurine acted as Miss
Clavel and had us all safely travelling to Bondi to walk the
shoreline and experience the Sculptures by the Sea exhibition. We
went early to avoid the crowds which were shoulder to shoulder by
midday. We now understood the early start. For someone unfamiliar
with most parts of Sydney I felt like a wild schoolgirl let off her
leash. What beautiful beaches and scenery (including one or two life
guards) and amazing sculptures, something I recommend you all to see.
Fish and chips by the beach then a bus
trip back to the hotel ready for a drawing lesson from Bruce Whatley
(or should I say Dr. Bruce). Bruce studied the effects of right
brained drawing for his PHD and we were treated to a session of
drawing with our other hand. Seeing as not all retreaters were
illustrators this threw up a decent challenge but fun was had by all
and much was learned about how much better our wobbly hands are
compared to our preferred hand. If fun is measured by mess then the
fact that a lot of us looked like chimney sweeps by the end was a
good indication of a great afternoon.
Collaboration times were scheduled
throughout the progam and they went from quiet, reserved discussions
and the nervous handing over of ideas and manuscripts to a full group
show and tell session by the end of the weekend. As we grew to know
and trust each other with our ‘babies’ we entered into great
discussions of hope and potential for our work. Brainstorming
characters, solving lumps and bumps in texts and generally
encouraging each other in our journeys we solved niggling problems,
started our new story ideas and boosted each other’s creativity.
Whilst every activity we did was wonderful, this aspect of the
weekend was perhaps the most rewarding.
Saturday saw a few of us up early for a
stroll to the Paddington markets. Then back to the hotel to catch a
ferry of taxi’s to visit the Brett Whitely studio. Palpitations. He
might not be everyone’s cup of tea but he’s one of my favourite
artists and it was almost too surreal to find myself viewing an
exhibition of his works in his personal space, sitting and watching a
DVD about his life and work in his sitting room and reading his
rants, raves and quotes scribbled in-between magazine cuttings and
personal photos adorning his studio walls. When I first heard we were
going, I turned very Victorian and felt quite faint. (I am still
curious as to whether the set of false teeth adhered to his painting
belong to the owner of the brain, also attached to the same
painting).
Another taxi ride to Kirribilli Park
overlooking the harbour for a gourmet picnic lunch (Miss Clavel still
had us safely together) and a time to explore the wonderful rescue
work of Wendy Whitely. The gardens are spectacular and are full of
wonderful birdlife and curiosities, all created out of an old railway
yard that was/is disused. Wendy is preparing for the inevitable
battle that they will one day want it back but it has become a
favourite place for Sydneysiders to enjoy, relax in and as happened
on the day we visited, get married in. Wendy was there, busy working
with her volunteers and stopped to chat with us as we ate lunch. Some
more collaboration work in the dappled shade at the bottom of the
garden and then a walk to the ferry for a ride from Luna Park to the
Circular Quay added to our journey.
We then caught a bus home to the hotel
and a revisit of the markets before a very special visit to the
second Dr Seuss Gallery in the world. We were surrounded by the very
wonderful and colourful world of Dr Seuss prints and were all tempted
to make a purchase but alas, they were a little out of our reach.
We
can dream however.
Back to the hotel, freshened up and in
our colourful gear we headed back to the piano bar for Tapas, Spanish
spiced wine and our last night of sharing and collaboration. We were
treated (again, as she played for us on Friday also) to the beautiful
violin renditions of Fiona Stewart (illustrator of Sally Odger’s
Bush Lullaby), such a talented lady, professional musician, sculptor
and illustrator extraordinaire. We were also joined by the passionate
and lovely Susanne Gervay (hotel owner and author) for a number of
the get-togethers.
Sadly, such gatherings must come to an
end and after packing and a last collaboration time over breakfast on
Sunday, we said our farewells and headed home.
Quiet we were not, in solitude we did
not find ourselves but filled to the brim, inspired, motivated,
engaged and raring to go we are.
Thanks to the ASA, especially Miss
Clavel (Laurine Croasdale) and to Ann James for organising a most
memorable and fantastic four days. Something that will help light up
our lonely little caves and keep us inspired.
Strangers no more.
Until next year....
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| Christina at her book launch |
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