The last few years have been unbelievably busy! While continuing to lecture at BCFE, I have completed my first 3 picture books as an author/illustrator. The Moth & The Moon (Beehive Books), The Dandelion's Tale - an allegory of migration (nominated for the Yoto Carnegie Award in Illustration) and Robin and Pip (both from Graffeg) are all out now.
My personal work, ‘Home Is Where the Heart Is’ (funded by the Arts Council of Ireland) was exhibited in 4 venues across Ireland; Siamsa Tire in Kerry, Garter Lane in Waterford, The Lord Mayor’s Pavilion in Cork and the Culturlánn in Belfast (NI). On the strength of these exhibitions, I was invited to present the project and lead a workshop at the IBBY European Regional Conference in Italy. This workshop and lecture lead to another invitation - this time to Taiwan! The Ministry of Culture in Taiwan invited me to give a keynote speech at their inaugural International Children's Book Fair in Taichung, and then to give a lecture and lead a day-long workshop for the Illustrated Book School in Taipei. It was an unforgettable experience!
In 2023 I was selected to be on the Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava International Jury and was tasked with choosing the winning illustrators of this prestigious competition. It was an extraordinary honour to then be appointed as chairperson of that 10 member jury. Following this, I was selected to serve on the Jury for the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for 2024 - 2026. Duties for the jury as a children’s book and children’s book illustration specialist included a year of reading, analysing and assessing the dossiers and sample books of over 75 international candidates.
After serving 12 years as a director of Illustrators Ireland, I decided to give someone else a shot and retired from the Board, but not from my membership. I already miss being with my colleagues and friends at the meetings.
I remain active with IBBY Ireland as the Administrator of the Silent Books Collections overseeing the logistics and upkeep of 3 collections and ensure that they get to libraries and schools with high migrant numbers or low literacy rates.
I still make time for my own work and I can usually be found scribbling in a sketchbook.