Divi & Frey

Research, Insights and notes for educators

Come and find me on Instagram

tony_flowers99

My webpage

www.flowersink.com.au

about

Tony Flowers is an award‑winning illustrator, author, and educator known for his detailed, humorous artwork and storytelling across picture books, chapter books, and graphic novels. Drawing inspiration from real life, travel, and everyday moments, Tony creates warm, adventurous worlds for young readers. He also teaches widely, supporting students and teachers in building creative confidence and visual‑literacy skills.

Children’s festival of moving stories and Russ the Bus

November 3, 2014

From the 14^th of November to the 5^th of December the Sydney Writers’ Festival “Children’s festival of moving stories” is on, packed for of events with Australian authors and illustrators.

There will be a brightly coloured/illustrated bus called ‘Russ the story bus’ travelling round Western Sydney. Stopping at Schools in the region. I had the pleasure of creating the illustrations for the bus. It is the first time that my illustrations will appear on the side of such a large vehicle. I’m looking forward to getting some good photos. I will be touring for 3 day on the bus (December the 1^st, 2^nd and 4^th).

I will also be on stage on he 28^th of November (6:30 to 7:30pm) at the Parramatta Riverside Theatres in “Stories from the Pyjamaverse”. So put on your silliest pair of PJ and come along and join us for a fun show. There will be book characters, Rugby and Soccer players (Parramatta Ells and Western Sydney Wanderers) along with a host of famous personalities and authors. Amongst all of that I will be illustrating events on stage while the author and MC for the evening Will Kostakis runs amuck.

http://riversideparramatta.com.au/show/pyjamaverse/
I love it when a sketch comes together

September 25, 2014

Samurai vs Ninja book1 sketch

A quick sample from my new book series with Nick Falk, Samurai vs Ninja. The books will be available in March 2015. This is Buta Sama (head of the Ninjas) in sketch and finished illustration stages. I now use a light pad (light box) to transfer sketch images to finished artwork. The steps I follow are a standard technique. I sketch in colour pencil first. This allows me to see the difference between pencil sketch line work and ink sketch line work on the light pad. Then I ink the pencil sketch. Trying to keep the line work loose and full of movement. Then by placing it on the light pad with a blank sheet of paper on top. I transfer the image to the top layer of paper. Once the basic line work is done. I then add detail to finish the illustration.
August 2014 Book madness

September 11, 2014

The Amazing month of August was truly fantastic this year. A big part of being involved in children’s book publishing is promotional work. In Australia, the month of August is certainly a focus for that activity. This is mainly due to the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s (CBCA – http://cbca.org.au) book week program mid August.

This year August has been fantastically busy. Loads of events with fellow author (it is always great to catch up with other creative friends and have fun and talk current projects),heaps of school visits and book tour.

All in all Nick Falk and I were on tour early August in Melbourne. After that I have had 4 weeks packed with events. If I take into account the last couple of weeks (September) being the event spill over from August. I have spoken to over 5000 students since the beginning of August.

I was lucky enough to spend book week this year in Griffith, New South Wales. I was talking at the Library for the whole week and students from around the city came into the library for sessions. The staff at the library were fantastic and had arranged some activities for the school before my arrival. I was greeted by an amazing collection of Dinosaur and Dragon puppets based on my books.

Throughout this crazy month, what you really appreciate is seeing the joy kids get from discovering fun new books. I love presenting to kids, unlike adults their isn’t any adult politeness towards public speakers. If your not engaging them that soon let you know. Luckily when you do have their attention they are the best audience to talk to, as they also not afraid to put up their hand and ask question, laugh out loud, and get excited by ideas.

Of course being involved in the book publishing industry The most rewarding thing is when you are approached by a young reader with one of your book in the their hand. The pages are well thumbed (a little dog eared) and you are greeted with a huge smile and reader who tells how much they love the book.

I can be contacted for school talks through “the Children’s Bookshop” – Beecroft (http://www.thechildrensbookshop.indies.com.au)

or by emailing me at tony@flowersink.com.au