This all made Mark extremely happy as he now had a magnificent bronze platypus to stand on the shelf with his children‘s many and very large sports awards. As well as writing and illustrating, Mark does painting and Mural commissions, and travels to schools all over Australia to present workshops with students on picture book making, painting and illustration. This also helps in his quest to find the perfect cup of coffee in far off places!

Biography

Mark was born in Melbourne and loved drawing from an early age. His first job as an illustrator was with the Victorian Stud ent Magazines working with illustrator Ann James. He recalls his very first pay packet being spent on a brand new Pearl Drum kit and a Jimi Hendrix record, he then spent what was left on food! Mark still plays and sings with the band Chucka-Tanti (though not quite as loud as in the Hendrix era).

Picture Books

Mark’s latest book, My Mother’s Eyes-The Story of a Boy Soldier is a story about the young Australians who signed up to serve in the First World War. The 2010 CBCA Book of the Year awards listed it as a Notable Picture Book. Many were only 16 years old when they fought in battles from Gallipoli to Fromelles in France. The story follows William from a farm in rural N.S.W. at the age of 16, to training in Egypt and onto the Battlefields of France. We learn of his experiences and also his impressions of war, and through his letters home, its triumphs and tragedies.
The book has a dedicated website.

Angel of Kokoda is the story of Kari, a free spirited mountain boy living in Papua New Guinea during WW2. Kari doesn’t know why there is fighting in the village of Kokoda, but when he finds a wounded Australian soldier lying in a ditch, he knows he cannot leave him. Together they embark upon a perilous journey along the Kokoda Track. Find out more about this book at it's dedicated website.

Marks other picture books include Prayer for the Animals and Journey of the Sea Turtle, Yellow-Eye (with author David Spillman), Carpet of Dreams (with author Tessa Duder), The Penguin Shore (with author Tim O’Brien) and Young Murphy and The Extinction Trilogy(with author Gary Crew).

Presentations and Workshops

Mark is a qualified teacher and conducts writing, painting, drawing and picture book making workshops throughout Australia. Recent workshops include Dromkeen Children’s Literature Centre, Fremantle Children’s Literature Centre, Books Illustrated Gallery and various schools, libraries and festivals. Mark was Author in Residence at Parktone and Essendon North Primary schools throughout 2007. He is currently conducting picture book making workshops at Mt Eliza North Primary School on Wednesdays and painting scenes from The Last Tree on the Yea MARC Library Truck.

In the workshops, Mark will introduce students to the characters in his most recent picture books including Journey of the Sea Turtle, My Mother’s Eyes-The Story of a Boy Soldier and The Last Tree. He will show students how to have fun creating their own stories and illustrations. As they work along with him they will learn about and discuss the characters, styles and themes within his books. They will also learn the basic elements of drawing as they work with mark using line, shape and texture in their illustrations. In the workshops, students are encouraged to use their imagination while exploring themes in a creative way.

Other workshops are Painting in acrylics, Picture book Making and Illustration.

Left: a page sample from Mark's forthcoming book, Stranded (Black Dog Books, 2010). Stranded is based on a true story. It tells of the stranding of 101 False Killer Whales on the Western Australian coast and the rescue attempt that is undertaken to save them. Ben is a young boy fishing on the beach when he sees the approaching whales. When they become stranded, Ben and his father raise the alarm. The fate of one baby whale is held in the balance as Ben struggles to save him.

Awards

• Whiteley Award for Children’s Literature (The Last Tree 2007).
• Whiteley Award for Children’s Literature. The Extinction Trilogy; I Saw Nothing-The Extinction of the Thylacine, I Saw nothing-The Extinction of the Paradise Parrot and I Did Nothing, The Extinction of the Gastric Brooding Frog, 2004 ).
• Wilderness Society Award for Children's Literature (The Extinction Trilogy; I Saw Nothing-The Extinction of the Thylacine, I Saw nothing-The Extinction of the Paradise Parrot and I Did Nothing, The Extinction of the Gastric Brooding Frog, 2004 ).
  
• Wilderness Society Award for Children's Literature (Yellow-Eye, 2003).
  
• CBCA Notable Australian Children’s Book Award (The Extinction Trilogy; I Saw Nothing-The Extinction of the Thylacine, I Saw nothing-The Extinction of the Paradise Parrot and I Did Nothing, The Extinction of the Gastric Brooding Frog, 2004).
  
• CBCA Notable Australian Children’s Book Award (Young Murphy, A Boys Adventure, 2005).
  
• CBCA Notable Australian Children’s Book Award (The Penguin Shore, 2000).
  
• CBCA Notable Australian Children’s Book Award (Yellow-Eye, 2002).
  
• The Western Australian Premiers Book Award (Rodeo Darcy, 2007).
  
• The Undine Award, Melbourne Town Hall Collection, Painting 1987.
  
• The Rotring National Art Prize for Drawing, 1990.
  

Downloads

Workshop Flyer
Workshop Session Information
Extended Biography (Mark's exhibitions, awards, and bibliography)

View Mark's website

Marks workshops are most enjoyable, addressing environmental issues in a fascinating manner as well as encouraging the students to look more deeply at their local surroundings.
Anne van den Blink, teacher, Level 3, Parktone Primary School

The session with Mark was fantastic. His approach to the students and his presentation were excellent. He tapped into their interests to really engage them.
Tony Patterson, teacher, Newman College, W.A.

The children were really engaged with Marks wonderful picture book workshops. We can’t wait to see him again next term.
Victoria Vaughan, teacher, Mount Eliza North Primary School

It was interesting, funny, cool and Mark is a talented and exciting author/illustrator. Great stories.
Year 6/7 students, Booragoon Primary School

Mark was a fascinating speaker who really kept the kids engaged. A very successful presentation and enriching day. Keep up the good work!
Parents group, Newman College, W.A.

Students, teachers and parents left Mark’s sessions with a thorough understanding of and respect for the processes involved in the making of a picture book. To complete the sessions, Mark’s step by step instructions resulted in all students creating some amazing work.
Jenny Doust, Education Officer, Fremantle Children’s Literature Centre