Sanctuary | Liz Duthie

People chatting, drinking coffee and walking their dogs, lone walkers or runners earnestly exercising, families relaxing or playing - all enjoying the calming, soul nurturing beauty of the gardens.

The Castlemaine Botanical Gardens is a sanctuary for contemplation, connection, community and coffee. It is a place that has saved or, at least helped to maintain my sanity many times, and I believe it provides this refuge for many other Castlemainians.

I am an internationally published children's book illustrator, visual artist and art educator based in Djaara Country, (Castlemaine, Victoria).

My first picture book, “Wombat” by Christopher Cheng, (Walker Books Australia and Candlewick Press, USA, 2021) received a Royal Zoological Society of NSW Whitley Award Commendation and was a 2022 CBCA Notable Book in the Eve Pownall Category.

Other books include, “The Cat Thief” by Pat Simmons, (Little Pink Dog Books, 2021), “Rose Vickers and the Nose Pickers”, written and self-published by Jeffrey McCubbin, and “Coming to a Cushion Concert”, commissioned by the City of Greater Bendigo Council.

My new picture book, "Captain Thunderbolt's Recital", by Jane Jolley is out now (National Library of Australia), to be followed later this year by an anthology by Stephanie Owen Reeder, “Courageous Kids and their Amazing Adventures”, (National Library of Australia, 2023).

Alongside creating illustrations for picture books, I have maintained a visual art practice in drawing and painting, most recently focusing on landscape and portraits.

Exhibition open Saturday 8 June - Saturday 6 July 

Offical OPENING Saturday 15 June 2- 4 with the artist Liz Duthie

@elizabth.duthie