Cyan Circles
Before this week I had never heard of Sophie Blackall. Then someone sent me that rarest of things… a meaningful instagram post…. So I googled her and this is what i learned…
Sophie Blackall, AM is an award-winning illustrator of over 50 books for children, including the New York Times best-selling Ivy and Bean series, the 2016 Caldecott Medal winner, Finding Winnie and the 2019 Caldecott Medal winner, Hello Lighthouse, which she also wrote. She is the five-time recipient of The New York Times Best Illustrated Picture Book Award and has worked with UNICEF and Save the Children, UK on global health and literacy initiatives. Originally from Australia, she now splits her time between Brooklyn, New York, and the Catskill Mountains, where she and her husband run a retreat for the children’s book community called Milkwood Farm.
The in the text of the afore mentioned instagram post Sophie wrote
I am sailing from San Francisco to Sydney, writing a book called “The Sea—A Love Story”. (It’s a book for grown ups.) I made a cyanometer—actually four cyanometers—to measure the color of the sea each day while I’m on the ship. It’s very scientific. I discovered it’s a two person job. The first day I nearly lost the cyanometer and my camera and myself overboard.
I have no idea how Sophie is sailing San Francisco to Sydney, or what boat she is sailing on but I did appreciate the amazing machine she describes as a “cyanometer”
A rare moment where creativity and sailing intersect with no hidden agendas.
If you make it to Sydney and stumble across this story Sophie.. .Please Get in touch! We would love to know more.
Sophie’s website is HERE
Sophie’s instagram page is HERE