By ALENA HIGGINS
THE brilliant mind of Lynne Pickering will be on display at Warwick Library tomorrow as the multi-talented local identity discusses her successful new career as a published illustrator and author.
The internationally renowned artist, who has sold more than 5500 paintings worldwide, brings an enormous range of talents and skill to her new field, having spent time as an international finance broker, retailer, and interior decorator.
Lynne moved to Warwick with her husband Geoffrey in 1980 and built Carealot Kindergarten and Childcare on the corner of Yangan Road in 1990, before selling the business in 1999.
The mother of three often wrote stories for her children and the children at the centre and has used that experience to produce books that are fun and lively, but also carry important behavioural messages.
“My love of creating stories was fuelled with children always wanting a new story, which often we made up together under the tree in a playground,” she said.
But it was not until art sales plummeted after the stockmarket crash of 2008, that she began writing novels in 2010.
Her American publisher gave her a contract within 54 hours of reading her first manuscript, which was published in 2012, and subsequently asked if she had done any children’s books.
“I sent him some I wrote in 1995, the fairies stories (which feature the photography of local artist Brian Dittman) plus I wrote new ones, the Naughty Seagull, and illustrated them at the end of 2013,” Lynne said.
Four of her children’s books, IS IT YOU?, James and the Naughty Seagull, James and the Greedy Naughty Seagull and James and the Jealous Naughty Seagull have been included in the prestigious International Baccalaurette Organisation Primary Years Program, which will reach more than one million students in 147 countries as part of their English-reading curriculum.
She said she was shocked and humbled by her inclusion, being that only 36 books worldwide were selected.
As expected, Lynne’s adult books are a direct departure from her children’s book and are full of mystery, intrigue and romance.
The 67-year-old, who is blessed with a photographic memory, says she plans to keep writing fiction “until I am too old in my nineties”.
“My inspiration comes from dreams and all I do is recall the dreams a chapter at a time and write them,” she explains of her writing process.
“It’s like a holiday researching places and dreaming about them. I never know where my stories are going to end up – they even surprise me sometimes.”
Lynne will talk about her fascinating life and experiences as well as her publishing journey at the free event from 10.30am to 11.30am.
