LOCAL Nannup artist, illustrator and now author Marion Duke celebrated the launch of her first self published book with many locals at The Garage Gallery on Saturday November 22.
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Titled The Quarter Inch Elephant, this hardback children’s book is one to treasure with an inspirational storyline telling the tale of Thelonious, a tiny elephant, who despite his small size, still finds a way to make a big impact in the world.
Ms Duke explained how the original concept was to fit a miniature book into a matchbox, but later changed her mind after producing around 25 stunning pen and ink illustrations that are certainly worthy of being printed on larger pages.
The images were then computer enhanced, adding colour before the book went to print. All original drawings were for individual sale that morning and selling fast.
Ms Duke, who has lived in Nannup for the past nine years, studied Graphic Design, majoring in illustration at Perth Metropolitan School of Art and Design and has been designing, painting and illustrating ever since.
With three successful books to date (The Catalpa Escape (2006, 2014) by Joy and Mike Lefroy; The Pipeline CY O’Connor Built (2003) by Joy Lefroy and Diana Frylinck and Trumpet’s Kitten (2003) by Carolyn Polizzotto and Sarah Spinks (all Fremantle Press).
After taking some time out of the publishing industry to have children, Marion was inspired to write and self publish her own book and started her own publishing company, Red Feather Books, earlier this year.
With four young children and a flourishing olive oil and free range egg business with husband Mick O’Callaghan, this lady is an inspiration to us all.
Having also submitted artworks into various Garage Gallery Exhibitions that have been held over the past year and winning People’s Choice awards for her large oils on canvas submissions on two occasions, Ms Duke is one artist to keep an eye on. The Quarter Inch Elephant is available online at Amazon Books Australia.
