So , I’m dumbfounded , flabbergasted, astounded and stoked ( ie pretty happy in Aussie slang) . I came third in the CYA, aspiring illustrators competition .
I will back track to the beginning of the story –
About 3 months ago I decided at the very last minute to enter an illustrators competition for the Children and Young Adults authors and illustrators conference, 2017 . I thought to myself ” This will be a good experience Sandy . A great way to get feed back on your artwork and illustration style Sandy and learn more about the craft – Sandy . ” So, I coddled together some little drawings , based on the text given . It was a trifle frustrating being only able to enter 3 drawings as I felt like I wanted to do so much more . But , I carried on , doodled away and sent off my drawings with few expectations .
And here I am , 3rd place winner in the “aspiring ( unpublished ) “illustrators section. The stuff of a little female in the western suburbs of Brisbane Queensland Australia’s dreams .
The competition involved illustrating the first 2 chapters of a children’s early chapter book ” Sam Treasure :In the Whale’s Garden ” by Tina Marie Clarke . As usual my pictures ended up on the comic side . But hey , that’s my style .
So, without much further ado – presenting …….
“Sam Treasure – In the Whales Garden “by Tina Marie Clarke. Illustrations by Sandy Flett
(The title page didn’t go in the comp but I had fun designing it … pretending I was a REAL illustrator kind of person )

I was so wishing I didn’t have to draw a CATAMARAN !! FAR OUT- that was tough for me …

This ones my fave – made me think like a kid again – which is not something I find difficult

I had fun drawing the little creatures in the background observing Grandee and Sam together at the controls
The End !
In the next few days I’ll chat about my experiences with the publishing editors . It was pretty cool , can I just say .
Ciao
Sandy