Amanda spent much of her childhood daydreaming, drawing pictures and riding ponies, while growing up on the leafy edges of Brisbane, Australia.
As the daughter of a comic strip artist/screen printer and art supply retailer, Amanda's early storytelling and picture book making antics were greatly encouraged and supported. Her scribbles were often found on reams of t-shirt card, in school books and occasionally appeared mischievously on blackboards.
As the daughter of a comic strip artist/screen printer and art supply retailer, Amanda's early storytelling and picture book making antics were greatly encouraged and supported. Her scribbles were often found on reams of t-shirt card, in school books and occasionally appeared mischievously on blackboards.
One of many school book scribbles
Amanda's dream of creating picture books was further motivated in primary school after receiving Best Story award for a regional Story Book Writing Competition during Book Week of 1986. Recognition for her art continued throughout her secondary years by receiving the Minister's Awards for Excellence in Art Education certificate two years running.
Inevitably, Amanda went on to study at Queensland College of Art and began her career as a creative. After many years of working in graphic design and art direction, Amanda's interest in illustrating for children was reignited when she had children of her own.
Inevitably, Amanda went on to study at Queensland College of Art and began her career as a creative. After many years of working in graphic design and art direction, Amanda's interest in illustrating for children was reignited when she had children of her own.
In 2008, Amanda opened an Etsy shop and began selling personalised children's wall art and handmade greeting cards. That same year, Amanda met with a small group of local artisans at the Avid Reader in Brisbane's West End and after some creative conversation over a cuppa and cake, BrisStyle was born. Their little artisan group quickly grew to over a hundred members. Still holding events and craft markets in South East Queensland including the popular Twilight Markets at King George Square.
"Our little artisan group BrisStyle featured on The Great South East with channel 7 presenter Sofie Formica."
Amanda took a step back from BrisStyle to focus on her children's book illustration career and has since illustrated, Jonathan! written by Peter Carnavas (New Frontier Publishing, Feb 2014), Onesie Mumsie written by Alice Rex (New Frontier Publishing, April 2015), Take Ted Instead written by Cassandra Webb (New Frontier Publishing, April 2016), That Christmas Feeling written by Lili Wilkinson (Allen and Unwin, October 2017), and Trouble For Toby written by Janet Reid (Wombat Books, June 2018).
Once again, Amanda lives on the leafy edges of Brisbane, nestled among the gum trees with her husband, three children and a very bouncy dog.
Achievements
That Christmas Feeling – Written by Lili Wilkinson, Illustrated by Amanda Francey and published with Allen and Unwin was listed Children's Book Council of Australia, Notable Book (Early Childhood) 2018.
That Christmas Feeling – Written by Lili Wilkinson, Illustrated by Amanda Francey and published with Allen and Unwin was listed Children's Book Council of Australia, Notable Book (Early Childhood) 2018.
Take Ted Instead – Written by Cassandra Webb, Illustrated by Amanda Francey and published with New Frontier Publishing was listed Children's Book Council of Australia, Notable Book (Early Childhood) 2017.
Jonathan! – Written by Peter Carnavas, Illustrated by Amanda Francey and published with New Frontier Publishing was shortlisted Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Award (3 to 5 years) 2014.
Member ofCBCA Children's Book Council of Australia
SCBWI Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
ASA Australian Society of Authors
Unspectacular quirks
Amanda's fiercely afraid of harmless moths and only a teeny afraid of deadly spiders.
She dislikes screaming frogs so always dunks chocolate Freddos head first into tea.
Amanda's fiercely afraid of harmless moths and only a teeny afraid of deadly spiders.
She dislikes screaming frogs so always dunks chocolate Freddos head first into tea.
In the Media
Trouble for Toby – North-West News Story, June 6, 2018
That Christmas Feeling – North-West News Story, March 28, 2018
Trouble for Toby – North-West News Story, June 6, 2018
That Christmas Feeling – North-West News Story, March 28, 2018
Jonathan! – Play School, uploaded June 14, 2019
BrisStyle Feature – The Great South East, uploaded June 29, 2009
BrisStyle Feature – The Great South East, uploaded June 29, 2009
Illustrator Interviews
Kids' Book Review 2020 – Meet The Illustrator: Amanda Francey
Kellie Byrnes Blog 2018 – Illustrating That Christmas Feeling
Wombat Books Blog 2018 – Talking Trouble with Amanda Francey
Issue 474 of PIO (Pass It On) 2014 – Illustrator Showcase: Amanda Francey
New Frontier Publishing News 2014 – Spotlight on Amanda Francey
Kids' Book Review 2020 – Meet The Illustrator: Amanda Francey
Kellie Byrnes Blog 2018 – Illustrating That Christmas Feeling
Wombat Books Blog 2018 – Talking Trouble with Amanda Francey
Issue 474 of PIO (Pass It On) 2014 – Illustrator Showcase: Amanda Francey
New Frontier Publishing News 2014 – Spotlight on Amanda Francey
