Creative Incursions
Talks and Workshops for schools, festivals and community groups
Why are author/ illustrator visits so valuable?
They are proven to improve literacy, generate spontaneous reading, and encourage even reluctant readers
They provide valuable enrichment and stimulation with links to key areas of the curriculum
They forge a lifelong connection to writing and reading
They promote lateral thinking, empathy, critical analysis, and creativity
They demystify the creative process and motivate students to take creative risks
Would you like to book me for your school?
Fill in this handy form...
Recent past events...
I've been invited to talk about my work, and also discuss the ways that picture books engage readers and bring them "Back to the Library", and how they are relevant to the HSC topic of "Discovery".
I'll be at the Australian Society of Authors National Writer's Congress taking part in an interactive panel showcasing the work of multimedia artists. We'll be discussing the pros and cons of working with digital media. I'll be focusing mainly on my dimensional illustration work for Sounds Spooky, and my digital painting for commercial projects such as the American Girl books. The congress looks as though it's going to be extremely interesting, so don't miss out on tickets!
To tie in with Book Week and The Brisbane Big Draw, I'll be running a three hour masterclass designed to help you discover and develop your unique illustration style. An intensive workshop centred around hands-on, practical exercises that will help you identify your illustration superpowers and harness them to work for you, whether you're an established illustrator wanting a fresh perspective on your work or a newcomer just setting out and trying to build a portfolio. This session builds on and complements skills learned in previous workshops on visual narrative and character development, although it's not necessary to have attended these.
Please bring a current sketchbook, colour copies of 5 finished illustrations you have done (please don't bring originals) and your favourite drawing materials.
Click here for more info and to book
I'm delighted to announce that Juliette MacIver and I will be doing an all-singing, all-dancing double act at the Brisbane CBCA Book Week dinner. Sword swallowing! Fire-eating! Death-defying stunts and derring-do! Or at the very least, a hearty discussion of ducks, Toucans, rhyming and scribbling. See you there!
I'll be running a three hour character design workshop at the CYA Conference in Brisbane. I'll be talking about how to create expressive human and animal characters with verve and personality. This will be a hands-on intensive workshop, so bring your favourite sketching gear, limber up those pencil-holding fingers and prepare to work hard and have fun - and hopefully learn stuff.
“The incredible Sarah Davis spent 6 hours at our school and inspired so many kids. The difference in the way students draw and interpret in such a short time is unbelievable. I'm the lucky one on the end of the email with about 80 parents sending messages today about how great yesterday was for their kids.”
Bronwyn Tregenza, head of Core Learning, Oxley College
“I am writing to thank you for your recommendation of Sarah Davis for our Writers in Residence program. Yesterday Sarah delivered the last of her workshops and we were very sad to see her go. Sarah has an intuitive sense and ability to ascertain what students need and is quick to adjust her workshops for their benefit. The students have gained a deeper understanding of visual media in workshops which allowed for divergent thinking and the free flow of creativity. Sarah’s calm, friendly demeanour and her open dialogue with students about how to develop their skills made the workshops particularly valuable.”
Pymble College
“Yesterday our school was fortunate to have illustrator Sarah Davis visit and speak with our K-2 students. Sarah was a delight and engaged the students with her excellent presentation - and of course - wonderful illustrations. I would highly recommend her to any school planning activities for Book Week. By the end of the day, word of Sarah's excellence had spread throughout a school and we had a Year 10 class visit as well as teachers and other staff members who had a few spare minutes to see Sarah and her work.”
Hunter Valley Grammar School