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Our Beautiful World

20/3/2025

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Our Beautiful World. Written by Sarah Speedie, illustrated by Margeaux Davis
​I'm so excited to finally share the cover of my new book 'Our Beautiful World', written by the talented Sarah Speedie, illustrated by myself and published by New Frontier Publishing.

'Join us on a colourful journey of discovery to every corner of our amazing world. From the vibrant red rocks of Australia, to the glittering gold dunes of Morocco, to the tropical blue oceans of Fiji, our earth is home to a dazzling rainbow of natural colours. Our Beautiful World is a lyrical celebration of the many cultures and colours found on this awe-inspiring planet that we call home'.

It was a joy to illustrate the beautiful, lyrical text written by Sarah. I spent months researching and then creating illustrations to represent all of the amazing places  that appear in this picture book. I really hope you and your little ones enjoy spending time with this book, as much as Sarah and I enjoyed creating it! 

It's now available for pre-order and will be stocked online and in bookstores (in Australia and the UK) from the 10th of April 2025.
From 'Our Beautiful World' by Sarah Speedie and Margeaux Davis
From 'Our Beautiful World' by Sarah Speedie and Margeaux Davis
From 'Our Beautiful World' by Sarah Speedie and Margeaux Davis
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dPICTUS 100 outstanding picture books list

11/9/2024

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Picture
So excited to share that my new children's book 'What Stars Are For' (published by Affirm Press) has been selected for the 'dPICTUS 100 Outstanding Picture Books' list for 2024. 
'The ongoing 100 Outstanding Picturebooks selection features the titles
 which have been highlighted by the most guest curators, and includes
 an eclectic mix of picturebooks from around the world. The selection is
 presented in a physical showcase at the Bologna Children’s Book  Fair,
 and on the dPICTUS platform'.
It is a complete thrill to see my book sharing space with such a gorgeous list of picture books from around the world. Hooray!

I wish I could have gone to Italy to see it at the Bologna Children's Book Fair. Living in Australia means it's a bit far :). 
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WHAT STARS ARE FOR cover reveal

19/3/2024

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Autumn is slowly creeping in here. The nights are getting cooler, the camellias are flowering and the twilights are longer. My favourite time of year :) 

And I'm excited to finally be able to share with you, the cover of my new children's picture book 'What Stars are For', published by the wonderful Affirm Press.
WHAT STARS ARE FOR by Margeaux Davis
​The story follows a shy and inquisitive snail named Henry, who spends his days hiding in his shell and his nights wondering one thing; what are stars for? It's a story about curiosity, overcoming your fears, and the possibility of finding a friend.
Margeaux Davis working on WHAT STARS ARE FOR
This book has been an absolute dream to create and I can't wait for you to see it.

'What stars are For' is out on the 30th April, and is available to pre-order  via Booktopia now. 

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'Giovanni' picture book trailer

19/10/2023

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'Giovanni' is now officially out in the world. I'm so happy with the way it's turned out and it was a joy, not just to illustrate, but to research the (true) story of four-year-old Giovanni and his family's harrowing journey from Italy to Australia in 1881. 

Written by Crystal Corocher
Illustrated by Margeaux Davis (me!)
Published by Wombat Books
Translated by the Volpato Family
This trailer was created by Romi Sharp of Books on Tour PR & Marketing
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Giovanni

5/9/2023

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I'm excited to finally share the cover for my latest children's picture book 'Giovanni', written by the very talented Crystal Corocher. This one will be published by Wombat Books next month and is now available for pre-order.

This moving story follows four-year-old Giovanni and his family on the perilous Marquis de Rays expedition - from Italy to Australia, in 1881.
'Giovanni' written by Crystal Corocher and illustrated by Margeaux Davis
​"In the tradition of great high seas adventure stories of times passed, with one key difference - this is a true story. The epic adventure of four-year-old Giovanni and the journey that could have ended his life, bringing him instead to start a new adventure in a new country, Australia".

I loved doing the research that came with illustrating a story like this one. Thank you to Crystal Corocher for your beautiful writing, and to Rochelle at Wombat Books for this wonderful opportunity :)
'Giovanni', written by Crystal Corocher and illustrated by Margeaux Davis.
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2022 Illustration Prize

12/10/2022

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Hooray!

​I won second prize in this year's New England Writers' Centre illustration award! 
​
Thank you very much to United Publishers of Armidale for sponsoring such a wonderful prize.
​
Illustration prize Picture
​Here is my entry with this year's theme, 'Door to adventure'.
'Door to Adventure' by Margeaux Davis 2022

I feel very proud to be in the company of such talented winners. Congratulations Anke Noack and Tilda Joy.

​You can see the winning entries and judges comments over the New England Writers' Centre website.
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Kingdom of Rooms

19/3/2021

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I'm very excited to announce that 'Kingdom of Rooms' written by M. J. Gibbs and Jenny Catalano (and illustrated by myself) has just been published, and is availabe to purchase via the author's website.

With the theme of 'royal palaces' and 'collecting', this fun-to-read-aloud book is full of poems that children will enjoy. 
Kingdom of Rooms by M. J. Gibbs and illustrated by Margeaux Davis
I loved spending time researching and drawing the kinds of things that I think would be in a palace full of interesting bits and pieces - coats of armour, statues, Victorian toys, books and rocking horses... and soooo many peacock feathers!
Peacock illustration by Margeaux Davis 2021
And luckily for me, I had my boys to help me with ideas when I got stuck like, "The boy on the cover should be roller skating and wearing a knight's helmet". Brilliant!
Illustrations for Kingdom of Rooms - by Margeaux Davis 2021
​I created the illustrations using watercolour, pen and ink on paper and I hope you enjoy the book as much as I have!
Kingdom of rooms book by M. J. Gibbs and Margeaux Davis
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Illustrated Christmas cards

19/10/2020

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I've just restocked my little illustrated holiday greeting card packs. The cards feature three of my watercolour illustrations - all pine tree / Christmas tree themed of course!

They're available to purchase via my online store, are ready to post straight away and are sustainably packaged. 
Illustrated greeting cards by Margeaux Davis of Willowynn
Obviously there are quite significant postal delays right now, due to the pandemic, so holiday mail will have to go out a lot sooner than usual, to arrive by Christmas.

​The estimated delivery time for these cards to reach you is up to ten business days within Australia, and up to four weeks outside of Australia. Plenty of time!
Illustrated greeting cards by Margeaux Davis of Willowynn
Illustrated greeting cards by Margeaux Davis of Willowynn
Illustrated greeting cards by Margeaux Davis of Willowynn
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Illustration desk

5/10/2020

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I've shared photos of my sewing table here so many times but I don't think I've ever really shown you where I spend the other part of my working life... this desk on the other side of my work room / studio.
Picture
This is where I draw and paint - mostly with watercolour but sometimes with oils or acrylic paint. It looks out into our garden and holds all my precious bits and pieces for illustrating or designing. I found the old desk second-hand and I absolutely love it... lots of drawers and cupboards underneath and it even has a secret compartment (don't tell my kids). 
Picture
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Interview - Just Write for Kids

22/9/2020

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Author Marg Gibbs and I were recently interviewed by the lovely Romi Sharp for the Just Write for Kids blog, about the making of our new book 'Goose at the Gate'.

You can read the interview here and watch a short video trailer all about this fun book of poetry for kids. Enjoy!
Picture
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Goose at the Gate

17/8/2020

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My Covid lockdown period earlier this year was spent creating illustrations for a new children's poetry book by author Margaret Gibbs (and home-schooling my kids and designing elephant dolls), This is the kind of thing I've been wanting to do FOREVER and I had so much fun illustrating Margaret's gorgeous poems.

'Goose at the Gate' includes 40 poems for kids, along with a collection of my watercolour illustrations and Margaret's own bright and colourful collages. And it's out now!

​'Goose at the Gate' is available to purchase here. 

Watercolour illustrations by Margeaux Davis for 'Goose at the Gate', written by M. J. Gibbs.

Illustrated by Margeaux Davis for 'Goose at the Gate' written by M. J. Gibbs
Watercolour illustrations by Margeaux Davis for 'Goose at the Gate', written by M. J. Gibbs.
Watercolour illustrations by Margeaux Davis for 'Goose at the Gate', written by M. J. Gibbs.
Watercolour illustrations by Margeaux Davis for 'Goose at the Gate', written by M. J. Gibbs.
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Christmas card illustrations

19/11/2019

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Illustrated Christmas card set by Margeaux Davis www.willowynn.com
This year I've spent spare moments here and there, creating watercolour paintings that represent the Christmas of my childhood imagination. I've just had them made into holiday cards which you can purchase in sets of three or six, via my online store.

Ironically, Christmas here in Australia does not look like the Christmas of my childhood imagination (or these cards). I guess all of the Christmas stories, movies and images I enjoyed as a child were set in the northern hemisphere - hence the snow, pine forests and foxes in my illustrations.

I promise next year, I will paint wallabies and wombats gazing at a decorated Eucalyptus tree... and probably no snow :)
Pine forest - watercolour illustration by Margeaux Davis
Watercolour illustration by Margeaux Davis www.willowynn.com
Forest canopy watercolour illustration by Margeaux Davis www.willowynn.com
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Vegetable illustrations

22/8/2019

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I've been happily working away on a commission for vegetable drawings this month, which will be used to illustrate recipes. Such a satisfying job and so nice to have a little break from sewing. Here is a selection of the images I've finished using pen and water colour. 
Vegetable illustrations. Watercolour and pen on paper by Margeaux Davis 2019
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Art prints

6/3/2019

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Art prints by Margeaux Davis (willowynn.com)
The art prints of my paintings 'The fox and the Crow' (inspired by the Aesop fable) are now available to purchase in my online store. Hooray! I'm so happy with the way they turned out. They are professionally printed on the most beautiful art paper and are available in two sizes. 
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Christmas painting

24/12/2018

3 Comments

 
Wishing everyone a safe and happy Christmas. I hope that the new year brings you peace and maybe something exciting. 

​I made this little painting of a fox and owl enjoying a Christmas tree in a snowy forest, as a card for my children. We are in Australia so Christmas doesn't look like this for us, but this is the Christmas I dreamed of as a child. Next year it will be a wombat and wallaby gazing at a decorated gum tree :) 

Best wishes,
Margeaux
Forest Christmas by Margeaux Davis, 2018
Forest Christmas by Margeaux Davis 2018. Watercolour, pen and ink.
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Watercolour painting - grassy field, dirt track

20/12/2018

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Dirt track through grass field by Margeaux Davis 2018
A free afternoon for a little bit of painting.  I'd like to be hanging out in the shade under that tree right now :) 

This painting is now available to purchase as an art print.
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Sketches for November

29/11/2018

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Eucalyptus trees sketch - Margeaux Davis 2018
A couple of my recent drawings... moody eucalyptus trees (based on a photo taken by photographer Ian Brown), and a crow. I've found that drawing branches is quite relaxing, the more twisted and wonky, the better. 
Crow pencil sketch - Margeaux Davis 2018
And this little crow was a good exercise in varying tones and getting the blackest blacks from my pencil. Also, I really like crows :) 
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Fairy wrens and rain

15/10/2018

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School holidays means drawing instead of sewing. I don't know why. Also there are lots of fairy wrens flitting around at the moment. If I sit very still, they come through the windows and hop around on my desk. Here's a little watercolour drawing I made, inspired by my little friends.
Fairy wren, Margeaux Davis, 2018. www.willowynn.com
We've had almost a week of steady rain here in the Northern Rivers so I've been sketching my boys with their gumboots and umbrellas, among other things...
Boy with umbrella - Pencil sketch - Margeaux Davis, 2018 www.willowynn.com
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The fox and the crow 2

14/8/2018

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Another scene from the Aesop's fable, 'The fox and the crow'... a little challenge (see previous blog post) I set for myself this year. This one is watercolour, pencil and ink and is now available to buy as an art print, in my online store.
The fox and the crow. Watercolour, pencil and ink.  © Margeaux Davis 2018
© 2018 Margeaux Davis
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The Fox and the Crow

17/4/2018

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To challenge myself to draw and paint more this year, I'm illustrating an Aesop's fable. It's good to push yourself out of your comfort zone from time to time, isn't it? 

Anyway, here is what I have so far. I really enjoy illustrating and have only just recently started using watercolour and I'm loving it! 
Watercolour illustration by Margeaux Davis (www.willowynn.com)
© 2018 Margeaux Davis.
This one (above) is now available to buy as an art print via my online store. 
Watercolour illustration by Margeaux Davis (www.willowynn.com)
© 2018 Margeaux Davis
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January sketchbook

26/1/2018

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Six weeks at home with my kids during the school holidays means I don't get very much of my work for Willowynn done... in fact I don't really even try to get any work done.  I have been drawing though... which has been so nice. I think I'll try to spend more time drawing and painting this year... it's something I used to do all the time but dropped away once I had children.  
Cosy interiour - pen, ink, watercolour - Margeaux Davis - 2018
Brisbane weatherboard - Pen, ink, watercolour - Margeaux Davis - 2018
Pen, ink, watercolour - Margeaux Davis - 2018
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    Margeaux Davis aka Willowynn

    Hello

    My name is Margeaux Davis. I'm a doll-maker, sewing pattern designer and children's book illustrator, based in northern New South Wales, Australia.  

    ​Here I'll share what I'm making, as well as things I've learned and behind-the-scenes peeks to help you on your own creative endeavours. 


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    Sewing patterns

    Snail soft toy digital sewing pattern by Willowynn

    Bunny and bear stuffed animal doll digital sewing pattern by Willowynn

    Blue whale soft toy digital sewing pattern by Willowynn

    Fox and wolf stuffed animal doll / soft toy digital sewing pattern by Willowynn

    Fabric moth and butterfly digital sewing pattern by Willowynn

    Elephant stuffed animal doll sewing pattern / soft toy digital PDF download by Willowynn

    Pleated mushroom hanging ornament digital sewing pattern by Willowynn

    Barn owl and penguin stuffed animal digital sewing pattern by Willowynn

    Dolphin stuffed toy digital sewing pattern by Willowynn

    Platypus soft toy sewing pattern PDF by Willowynn

    Doll coat digital sewing pattern by Willowynn

    Doll overalls and pants digital sewing pattern by Willowynn

    Doll dress digital sewing pattern for 3 doll dresses by Willowynn

    Stuffed animal doll digital sewing pattern set. Bunny, bear, fox, wolf, elephants

    Doll clothing digital sewing pattern set / miniature dresses, overalls, coats and pants by Willowynn

    Mushroom / toadstool digital sewing pattern set of 2. Embroidered (beginners) and pleated (advanced)

    Whale, orca & dolphin soft toy digital sewing pattern set by Willowynn (10% discount)

    Embroidered Mushroom / toadstool hanging ornament digital sewing pattern by Willowynn

    FREE Embroidered hanging Christmas ornaments digital sewing pattern by Willowynn

    Miniature jumper & cardigan knitting pattern (digital download) by Willowynn

    Orca / killer whale stuffed toy digital sewing pattern by Willowynn

    Willowynn Gift Card


    Cards, prints and books

    'Giovanni' Picture Book. Written by Crystal Corocher. Illustrated by Margeaux Davis.

    Pack of 3 Christmas greeting cards / Watercolour illustration by Margeaux Davis of Willowynn

    Christmas / holiday greeting card pack of 4 by Willowynn

    'The fox and the crow' art print by Margeaux Davis

    'Summer ramble' art print by Margeaux Davis

    'The fox and the crow 2' art print by Margeaux Davis of Willowynn

    Art postcard set of 7 / watercolour illustrations by Margeaux Davis of Willowynn

    Baby in nest Christmas greeting card by Willowynn

    Toadstool / mushroom Christmas greeting card by Willowynn

    Embroidered ornament Christmas greeting card by Willowynn

    Mushroom / toadstool Christmas greeting card by Willowynn

    Willowynn art doll postcard set of 6

    Willowynn nature / soft sculpture postcard set of 6

    'Voyage on the Sea' art print by Margeaux Davis

    'Fairy tale' art print by Margeaux Davis

    'What Stars are For' Picture Book. Written and illustrated by Margeaux Davis

    'Henry's Garden By Day' art print from 'What Stars Are For' illustrated by Margeaux Davis

    'Henry's Garden By Night' art print from 'What Stars Are For' illustrated by Margeaux Davis

    'Henry and Celeste' art print from 'What Stars Are For' illustrated by Margeaux Davis

    'Star Gazing Snail' art print from 'What Stars Are For' illustrated by Margeaux Davis

    'Henry and Bee' art print from 'What Stars Are For' illustrated by Margeaux Davis

    'Tucked inside his shell' art print from 'What Stars Are For' illustrated by Margeaux Davis

    Willowynn Gift Card




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