I am excited to be involved in a project with Melbourne City of Literature combining my illustrations and words from a writer/poet. I will let you read it first and later in the blog I will give you the background about how it came about,

This week was the first time that I saw the words that my drawing were combined with. Perfect ! If you read it out loud it is delightful .

“Pacific black duck”

words by Lisette Drew. illustration by Alissa Duke

“‘QUACK! QUACK!’
My brothers and sisters are wishing the world would wake. I wish I could find some peace and quiet.
‘QUACK! QUACK! BREAKFAST! BREAKFAST!’
But I am hungry. ‘What’s for breakfast, Mum?’
‘It’s time you learn the tricks to catch your own fish.’
‘Catch a fish? On my own?’
‘Yes, my dear, it’s time to grow.’
I waddle out from under the quilt of Mum’s wings and look on the brand new day. Yawning from dawn is the sun, making our lake sparkle with life. Towering buildings shine on the surface like fish scales. Mum says the big big city we live in is called Melbourne. My great great ancestors called it Naarm named by the Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, the first people of our home. Humankind live in the city with us, and nearby a family of humans are having their breakfast on the bank. They don’t have feathers or beaks or webbed feet, or wear black crowns such as we do, but they nestle close together like my family flock. And they are just as noisy, chomping on their crunchy rolls.
‘Can we ask them for food? I’m sure they’ll throw us a bite.’
‘Bread is not good for you, little one,’ says Mum, ‘and you can’t rely on humans all your life.’
SPLASH! SPLASH!
My family jump into the lake.
I wobble into the water, kicking the cold away as I paddle out.
Mum is upside down, her legs sticking straight up in the air. Her secret green feather flashes brightly on her side. I wonder what colour mine will be when I grow up?
Only one way to find out.
I dive head first. Legs up. Bum out. Time to grow.”

Description

“Pacific black duck” written by @lisettedrew, illustrated by @alissaduke1. In early 2020, the Melbourne City of Literature Office commissioned a series of postcards, the art and image of each centred around a different animal found in Victoria, to be presented when the Office has the opportunity to travel overseas.

Postcard 10 of 21 #WildlifePostcards. Do your part to support the wealth and diversity of Victorian Wildlife by donating to @wildlifevictoria https://www.wildlifevictoria.org.au/donate/donate-to-wildlife-victoria

The 20 chosen wildlife postcards are being released on Instagram initially. I look forward to them being available on a website to view all of them and share it with you. It will also be exciting to receive the print version in the mail.

Background

The initial Callout from Melbourne City of Literature* : Writers and illustrators wanted for a project all about Victorian wildlife!

“We are putting together a series of oversized illustrated postcards, each one centred around a specific animal that can be found in Victoria to be part of a future International initiative  – and we are looking for pitches.  Is there an animal you have an affinity for, or want to shout from the rooftops about”

My initial submission involved nominating my favorite Victorin Wildlife and sending a sample of my art style. My first choice was the magpie, the second Pacific Black Duck.

My Process

I started with a lot of sketches from photos I had taken and sketches I had done in the past. I sketch these ducks often in the nearby Fitzroy Gardens.

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I photocopied, flipped, cut and pasted until I was happy with the images on the page. I then transferred these to my final paper and drew them in.

I am incredibly pleased with the final version. I love the way we both mention the “secret green feather”. I look forward to seeing it out in the world one day at other Cities of Literature around the world.

*In 2008, Melbourne joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network when it was designated the first and only City of Literature in Australia, and the second in the world.

Melbourne’s designation as a UNESCO City of Literature is acknowledgment of the breadth, depth and vibrancy of the city’s literary culture. Melbourne supports a diverse range of writers, a prosperous publishing industry, a successful culture of independent bookselling, a wide variety of literary organisations and a healthy culture of reading and engagement in events and festivals.