meet challenge founder: Tania McCartney

52-week Illustration Challenge Found - Tania McCartney

1. Your name, location:
Tania McCartney, Canberra

2. Describe your family
Divine. Patient, understanding, giving, inclusive, warm. Driven, creative, active and with a solid work ethic. My daughter is 14 and has three casual jobs! My son is 12 and already playing AFL for his state. My husband is hard-working, grounded and supportive to the nth degree. And me? Well, I’m just grateful.


3. Describe your work
I’m a full-time author, mostly for children, and in the past 18 months, I’ve reconnected with illustration for the first time in over 25 years. In November 2016, my first self-illustrated picture book will be released and this really is a full-circle thing for me, creatively. I’m also an editor, reviewer, publisher, freelance writer, presenter and mum. My other ‘jobs’ are founder of Kids’ Book Review and the 52-Week Illustration Challenge. None of these things are jobs, though. They are my world.

Tania McCartney - Bonus Challenge 'Cocoon'

4. What is your career goal? 
To work on just one book at a time (I invariably have many on the go at once), to illustrate more of my own work, and to have endless months of pure production and creativity, with no interruptions. I would like to have some junior and middle grade fiction published, too.

5. Describe your art background 
Art and English were my top subjects in high school and although I’ve never formally trained in art, I was a prolific painter and drawer through my teens and into early adulthood. Then I stopped. I have no idea why—I guess life got in the way—but it was a bit of a tragedy. Since reconnecting with illustration, I’ve honed my skills through the 52-Week Illustration Challenge, through hard and prolific work, online tutorials, and through the support of my peers. It’s now an enormous part of my everyday life. I couldn’t be happier.

Tania McCartney 2015 - Week 16 Structure

6. What do you love about the Challenge? 
The reconnection to art. The magic of honing long-lost skill. The support and camaraderie. The collaborations and opportunities and experiences that have arisen. The joy I feel when looking at beautiful art created weekly. The incredible friendships I’ve formed. 

Tania McCartney - week 8 Coffee

7. Tell us something that we don’t know about you
I have a sticker and paper obsession. It’s deep. Pretty, sparkly, colourful, whimsical—postcards, prints, cut-outs, bunting, cards, stickers. I’m obsessed. They’re all over my studio, on the walls and cupboards, along with original art and prints from 52-Week Challenge members. To hold a paper lover’s book in-hand, with artworks and pattern and textures—it makes my heart burst.

Tania’s most recent books include:

This is Captain Cook 

Peas in a Pod 

Tania is an active member of the children’s book industry and last year released an e-workshop entitled The Fantastical Flying Creator—a PDF compilation of 25 years of writing and industry experience, with over 300 pages and 70+ exercises. Packed with insider info and tips, it will fast-track the creative journey of any author or illustrator. 

Find out more and receive a free sample HERE.

You can find Tania online:

Website: www.taniamccartney.com

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/TaniaMcCartneyAuthor

Twitter: www.twitter.com/kidsBookReview

Instagram: www.instagram.com/taniamccartney

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/taniamcc