Weaving Stories And Art For Young Minds
A self-taught artist, author, illustrator, and qualified interior designer who lives high on a hill in Leigh, Sharon C Fergusson has drawn inspiration from this peaceful setting for her four published children’s books.
Born in Mangere, Sharon’s connection to the local area began in childhood with family holidays at Sandspit Campground. Later, her father’s love for boating led to holidays at sea, with Kawau Island and Mahurangi as regular anchoring spots. Sharon fondly recalls trips up the river to Warkworth for ice creams, a cherished treat.
Art and creativity have always been part of Sharon’s life. As a toddler, she created her first masterpiece - a hallway mural - using a pencil from the telephone table. Her love for creative writing followed, spurred by an active imagination and a love of reading. Long holidays boating provided time for drawing, reading, and writing, all of which allowed Sharon to hone her skills and find inspiration in the natural world around her. The rugged coastlines, tangled trees, isolated beaches, starry skies, changing light on the water, magnificent sea creatures, and prolific birdlife all played a part in shaping the stories that would later emerge in her books.
Sharon’s deep connection to nature is evident in her children’s picture books, with her artwork bursting with life and detail. Her most recent publication, Little Dot and the Strange Green Orb, tells the story of the Dotterel’s vulnerability, inspired by walks on Omaha Beach.
Since relocating from Auckland’s North Shore in March 2023, Sharon has published four picture books: Little Dot and the Strange Green Orb, The Cake Bake, A Frog, On a Log, Beside a Deep Bog, and The Singing Pipi. She describes herself as “a funnel for stories to pour into from the universe,” with ideas often coming to her in a rush, keeping her awake until fully formed. While her books are often rhythmic and rhyming, Sharon has also written prose and has many more stories waiting to be illustrated and shared with young readers.
“Writing and illustrating for children brings me immense joy,” Sharon shares. “Picture books were a vital part of my childhood. I would study the artwork for hours, dreaming that I was in that world. As a mum, reading with my son created magical memories, and I feel privileged to be part of that world for the children I write for now.”
Sharon also creates traditional artworks, including commissioned paintings and murals. A graduate of Interior Design, she taught herself digital illustration using Photoshop, enabling her to illustrate and design her books in a format ready for print. She recently completed her first digital mural for Restore Rodney East.
Sharon’s books are available locally at Matakana Village Books, where The Singing Pipi has been named one of the Top Children's Titles of 2024, and Paper Plus in Warkworth.
www.TheSingingPipiPress.co.nz | www.instagram.com/SingingPipi