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Jacque Duffy - Writer/Artist
Many a picture book was written and illustrated by a very young Jacque Duffy. Making up stories and creating colourful pictures to complement the words has always been something Jacque loves to do. These early books remained unseen, hidden away from eyes that could only be critical - or so she believed. So well hidden are these books she now can not find them.
As an adult, her writing remained an unshared hobby, her fear of being discovered as being 'not good enough' kept her wildest dreams under strict restraints. |
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At 14yrs Jacque left school to work as a Visual Merchandiser (Window Dresser) for a national department store chain, each season themes were decided upon and props designed and constructed. She loved the freedom of creativity, a clean slate on which to perform each season - imagination was the main ingredient. Fifteen years of playing dress-up fed her creative juices and each year she attends many evening and weekend classes to polish her writing and artistic skills, to obtain as much knowledge as she can before her brain explodes.
After her first child was born she started her own art school, teaching adults and children how to draw first and then paint in any medium they desired. She has always been inventive, and is keen to share her love of art. It was a move to Far North Queensland and the total change of lifestyle for herself and family which prompted her to share her writing and illustrating ambitions.
A picture book, about her sons, describing their new life, was written for her nephews in Brisbane.That's not a Tractor! This book too languished in a drawer for a few years until she was able to fulfill her desire to help the struggling local farming community she had become so very fond of. Not only did the country farmers have to deal with Mother Nature and the problems it creates, but the government was also making life difficult. Sugar Mills were closing down, the Dairy Industry was deregulated. It was on the cards that bananas too would be imported. Farmers were losing their homes and family businesses - rallies of protest held around Cairns became her motivation.
She wrote and illustrated two more books.That's not a Tractor!became the first in a series; That's not a Milk Carton! and That's not a Raincoat! followed on. The books are about the various types of farming that Jacque is acquainted with and local to where she lives.
These books are written in a school reader style and pencil drawn illustrations. The art medium Jacque uses is what most young children relate to and feel comfortable with. The money raised by the sales of these particular books has been donated to the Farmers Fighting Fund, a group trying to help the district farmers. This first series of books has proven very popular with children and adults alike. As a mother of two boys Jacque holds a keen desire to promote the rural life she lives in and encourage reading for boys.
Jacque's books are available through all good bookstores or by contacting her directly. To read the Queensland Education Library reviews go to:
· 'That's not a Tractor!' ISBN 0-646-43417-9
· 'That's not a Milk Carton!' ISBN 0-646-43761-5
· 'That's not a Moo Cow!' ISBN 0-646-45688-1
· 'That's not a Raincoat!' ISBN 0-646-43761-5
· 'That's not a house!' ISBN 0-646-46176-1
· 'That's not a Balloon!' ISBN 978-0-646-49579-8 (not yet critiqued) |
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In 2004, Jacque began work on a project with her friend Stasia Abraham. Stasia painted while Jacque wrote; together they created a collection of artistic and written work which was exhibited in March 2007.
If Walls Could Talk is a portrait of Innisfail's buildings through artwork and stories. The opening event and month of exhibition was well attended, from the twenty two artworks only two remained unsold. Paintings hung next to the printed work. The interest was astounding; over five hundred school children from grades one to twelve visited the exhibition. Many came back a second time bringing their parents with them. The collection is now contained in a beautifully presented hard-cover coffee table book and is available through all good bookstores or by contacting the writer directly.
To read a review of If Walls Could Talk check out:
Arts Nexus magazine #62 page 35
| · If Walls Could Talk ISBN 978-0-646-47144-6 |
Jacque Duffy's love of art has spilled over to a yearning to express herself in the written word. September 2007, Jacque called for interested parties and there began WINQ - Writers in North Queensland. This writing group of about 25 members from all age groups and walks of life meets in Innisfail. The writers, some published and some aspiring, get together once a month and share trade information, new works in progress and learn from each other over morning tea.
The group meets on the fourth Saturday of each month, at 10am, at the Cultural Complex, McGowan Drive, Innisfail.
Enquiries: please phone 07 40653364. |
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NEWS ITEMS:
INVITED GUEST SPEAKER AT TROPICAL WRITERS FESTIVAL CAIRNS |
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CONTACT DETAILS:
PO Box 2074 Innisfail 4860
Queensland Australia
Ph. 07 40653364 or 0427 653364
robnjacque@bigpond.com |
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JACQUE DUFFY - Writer/Artist |
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