2024 New England Illustration Prize
The New England Writers' Centre is proud to announce the winners for this year's Illustration Prize, with three wonderful awards and national recognition.
"Reading is Magic"
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Congratulations to everyone who responded to this year's Prize with your interpretations of "Reading is Magic".
All submissions were anonymous and our judges were asked to score on each entry for artistic merit, how well the artwork fitted the theme, and suitability for children's book publishing. |
Bookmark your diary and start imagining!
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Feedback from the judges
What a joyful collection of illustrations. Overall, the quality of the work is superb, showing a thoughtful representation of the theme, reading is magic. Clever ideas in the simple illustrations distill the theme confidently. |
The illustrations with many elements show great mastery of composition, accomplished colour work and a strong sense of individual style. |
...and the winners are..
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FIRST PRIZE
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Goes to Jennifer Goldsmith
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The judges were very impressed by this work, praising its beautifully rendered imagery and the skillful layout that allows the text layer to be read clearly.
The harmonious balance between illustration and design reflects a high level of artistry and care. Simply lovely! |
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SECOND PRIZE
A cash prize of $250 and a portfolio assessment by the team at Little Pink Dog Books, independent publishers of picture story books for children.
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Goes to Mel Corrigan
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A lot of skill and creativity in this piece - magical quality and great detail. Scores highly on theme with a suggestion that the writing be in the artist's hand to add a personal touch.
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THIRD PRIZE
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Goes to Luke Spindler
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Very accomplished layout, particularly the crop and breaking out of the frame.
The colour is a good mix of warm and cool tones. A stand out. Lots of good art! |
Congratulations to our Commended entries. (Click on the images to enlarge).
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Drawing is something I think I’ve always done. As a child I used to follow my father around on weekends. Threading our way through the streets doing the bits and piece he was too busy get to during the week. We’d buy the paper, put the lotto on, get chicken food, or visit backyard nurseries and relatives. Dad loved a chat so sometimes I’d find myself sat in his old blue Holden ute longer than I was happy with. When this happened he’d dig into his top shirt pocket and pull out ‘my book’ and a scruffy black biro to draw with. What he actually handed me was his small, spiral bound notebook he kept notes to remind himself in. To me it was a collaborative volume that only we shared. It was special.
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If I was feeling bold, I’d take a new page all to myself and other times I’d draw around his words. Then and now drawing equalled happiness. I’m fortunate to keep being given opportunities to find pictures in words. Hopefully drawing is something I’ll always get to do.
Credit Samara Clifford
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Mel Corrigan is an illustrator with an architect-trained eye for detail. She is passionate about capturing the playfulness and imagination of children and is interested in using different compositions to enhance the narrative emotion. Mel finds inspiration in the little things - the everyday joys and interactions that colour our days.
Mel illustrated ‘Deva the Bengal Boat Cat’ 2023, and her ‘Sweet Summer Days’ artwork was published in ‘Our Australian Heart’ anthology picture book (2023). Mel has recently illustrated US picture book ‘Mrs Best’s Special Class’ (2024) and ‘I am NOT an Owl’ with Woodslane Press, due for release in 2025. |
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Hi. I'm an illustrator living on the sunny northern beaches of Sydney with my wife and two daughters. Ever since I was young I wanted to be a 'drawer'. After a childhood of non stop scribbling, I studied graphic design and illustration at UWS. Now with two young 'drawers' of my own, I split my creative endeavors between illustration for children's publishing and artwork for the retail and the music industry.
I've always loved books where the illustrator creates an entire world surrounding the key text. Reading these books over and over allows you discover a new detail or layer hidden within the image. A tiny story within the story. I still pour over Graeme Base's illustrations to this day. |
I believe children's picture books hold a unique place within the publishing world. Not everyone grows up to be an avid reader, however, I'm sure if you ask almost anyone, they could tell you their favourite picture book from their childhood. My dream in to create a picture book that adults can one day reminisce about.
Cheryl Orsini - Author • Illustrator
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Cheryl has illustrated over 70 children's picture books, working with publishers such as Harper Collins, ABC Books, Affirm Press, Hachette, Lothain Books, Scholastic Press, Allen & Unwin and Penguin.
The much-loved illustrator of The Fairy Dancers, The Tales of Mrs Mancini, The Magic Bookshop and Four on the Run series, her work regularly appears in magazines and exhibitions. 
Based in Sydney, Cheryl continues to create art that celebrates the magic of storytelling.
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Rochelle Stephens - Publisher | Wombat Books • Rhiza Press • Rhiza Edge
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Rochelle is the Director of Wombat Books and Rhiza Press. She brings enormous experience and expertise to her work in publishing and editing and is deeply committed to discovering and nurturing new authors and illustrators.
Since founding Wombat Books, Rochelle has built the publishing company from the ground up. She is actively involved in every stage of book production, from story development to publication. 
Rochelle does not accept unsolicited submissions, however, she will sometimes request to see a portfolio from illustrators. Competitions like the Illustration Prize are a unique opportunity to showcase your work!
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Looking for inspiration? Take a look at previous year's winners:
Illustration Prize 2023
Illustration Prize 2022
Illustration Prize 2021
Illustration Prize 2020
Illustration Prize 2023
Illustration Prize 2022
Illustration Prize 2021
Illustration Prize 2020