Betty Brownlie (1946-) Biography

Born 1946, in Feilding, New Zealand; Ethnicity: "Caucasian." Education: Trained as a school dental nurse. Hobbies and other interests: Traveling, flying her small aircraft, reading, sponsoring an African family in Kenya, being with friends and family.

Career

Illustrator, author, and wildlife artist. Formerly worked as a dental nurse. Exhibitions: Artwork exhibited in Napier, New Zealand, 1981; Hastings, New Zealand, 1982; and elsewhere throughout New Zealand; work included in private collections.

Honors Awards

Aim Children's Book Award shortlist, 1993, for The Life Cycle of the Common Frog, The Life of the Monarch Butterfly, The Life Cycle of the Common Sparrow, and The Life Cycle of the Hedgehog, and 1995, for The Life Cycle of the Praying Mantis; New Zealand Library Association Book Award Honor award, 1995, for The Life Cycle of the Grasshopper; national awards for watercolor painting and pencil drawing.

Writings

SELF-ILLUSTRATED, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED

The Life Cycle of the Common Sparrow, Ashton Scholastic (Gosford, New South Wales, Australia), 1992.

The Life Cycle of the Hedgehog, Ashton Scholastic (Gosford, New South Wales, Australia), 1992.

The Life Cycle of the Common Frog, Ashton Scholastic (Gosford, New South Wales, Australia), 1992.

The Life Cycle of the Monarch Butterfly, Ashton Scholastic (Gosford, New South Wales, Australia), 1992.

The Life Cycle of the Grasshopper, Ashton Scholastic (Gosford, New South Wales, Australia), 1994.

The Life Cycle of the Praying Mantis, Ashton Scholastic (Gosford, New South Wales, Australia), 1994.

The Life Cycle of the Royal Albatross, Ashton Scholastic (Gosford, New South Wales, Australia), 1994.

The Life Cycle of the Kiwi, Ashton Scholastic (Gosford, New South Wales, Australia), 1994.

Please Smile Gran, Shortland Publications, 1999.

The Life Cycle of the Bumble Bee, Scholastic New Zealand (Gosford, New South Wales, Australia), 2002.

The Life Cycle of the Cicada, illustrated by Annabel Craig-head, Scholastic New Zealand (Gosford, New South Wales, Australia), 2002.

ILLUSTRATOR

Ronald Lockley, The Secrets of Natural New Zealand, Penguin Books New Zealand, 1984, Viking (New York, NY), 1987.

Jim Henderson, Jim Henderson's Home Country, Grantham House Publishing, 1990.

Peggy Dunstan, Red Horse and the Undersea Rescue, Silver Owl Press, 1993.

Rosalind Gardner, Under My Bed There Lives a Tiger, Scholastic New Zealand (Gosford, New South Wales, Australia), 1996.

Lynette Evans, Look out the Window, Shortland Publications, 1998.

Nic Bishop, Canoe Diary, Learning Media Ltd., 1999.

Sidelights

New Zealand wildlife artist and author Betty Brownlie told Something about the Author: "I've always been self-motivated, driven by something inside me to write and draw. Other people's interest in my artwork provided encouragement. During my childhood, my mother supplied me with pencils and paper; through primary school my teachers always chose me to illustrate giant-size class-project covers, and they hung my pictures around the classroom walls and in hallways.

"I've always found nature fascinating: my grandfather encouraged this interest. From an early age he took me on walks into the native bush, pointing out the intriguing aspects and the beauty of the natural world.

"Before writing or illustrating natural history work, I do extensive research using film footage, photographs, and books. If practical, I observe creatures in the wild. I also study dead creatures and taxidermist specimens.

"My advice to anyone wanting to write or illustrate: only write about and draw subjects you are truly interested in. Set yourself realistic goals and single-mindedly achieve them. Consistently do your best. Do not compare your work to that of others—there will always be poorer and better quality work than your own."