What a year it has already been for me as an artist, illustrator and visual storyteller! I started the year locked away in my art studio to finish the illustrations for my first kids picture book, about our Great Barrier Reef. This meant not taking on any paid work, which was a difficult decision to make but one I needed to in order to follow my heART! I’m delighted to say that in making this hard decision I now have my book at the printers and I have been inundated with drawing and graphic recording work since finishing my book illustrations. So sometimes you just have to make the big sacrifices to make your dreams come true!

I have also been working on some new and exciting drawing projects this year with people who really value my science-art background and visual creativity. It never ceases to amaze me the power of words and pictures as through my visual storytelling people can engage, empower and educate others and share their stories. My work is never the same and never ever boring, for example I have recently finished drawings about Denitrification Bioreactors for Queensland banana and cane farmers, created unique workshop templates for an International Ports Conference and graphically recorded the Australian Sugar Cane Industry Futures Forum. Highlights for me have been working with passionate people, receiving positive feedback on my visuals AND seeing my graphic recording headlining an article on ABC News! You can see more of the power of words and pictures via https://drsuepillans.com/recording/.

During World Creativity and Innovation Week I was also excited and super proud to be part of a panel of Author/Illustrators at the ‘Words and Pictures‘ Workshop for Share your Story. I had such a great time learning about the creative journey of my fellow Author/Illustrators and sharing my journey as a ‘storyboard’ as my alter ego (and pen name) Dr Suzie Starfish. As an Author/Illustrator words and pictures make the story and I love creating them for kids of all ages!

I’m now off to get some ‘Vitamin Sea’ and catch up on my writing and reading time by the beach. You can follow my creative journey via my alter ego Dr Suzie Starfish on Facebook and @suepillans on Twitter and Instagram. Best fishes  ><((((º>.¸.·´¯`·.¸><((((º> .·´¯`·.¸><((((º>.¸
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