“THE DESIRE TO CREATE IS ONE OF THE DEEPEST YEARNINGS OF THE HUMAN SOUL.”
Hello, I’m Serena!
I’m an international author, illustrator, speaker and all-round creative. More often than not, you’ll find me hanging out in quaint cafes with coffee in one hand, a journal and brush in the other.
With over seventy titles published in Australia and overseas, I am about to begin the next chapter of this creative journey writing and illustrating graphic novels.
Want to find out a little more? Follow this link to my About Me or scroll down for the latest news and events I have coming up!
Grab a cuppa, have a wander around this little corner of my world, and I hope you find yourself wonderfully and creatively inspired as I share my assortment of creative pursuits!
Serena xx
“Inside each of us is a natural-born storyteller, waiting to be released.”
- ROBIN MOORE -
WHAT’S NEWS!
May Gibbs Nutcote Cottage
Monthly Watercolour Workshops
I am excited to collaborate with the wonderful team at Nutcote Cottage for a two-hour watercolour workshop inspired by the enchanting world of May Gibbs. You’ll have the opportunity to paint a bookmark featuring May Gibbs' iconic gumnut babies and native flora, all while learning painting tips and techniques.
Workshop Arrive at 11am for an 11.15am start - 1.15pm finish
House tours (1:30pm or 2:15pm)
Included in the ticket price is entry to the Museum with 30 minute guided tour of May Gibbs' charming cottage, nestled in beautiful gardens with breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour. Relax with tea, coffee and cake from the on-site café or visit our gift shop before exploring the delightful home that once belonged to one of Australia’s most beloved authors.
Perfect for art enthusiasts and lovers of May Gibbs alike, this experience offers a delightful blend of creativity, history, and relaxation. Suitable for ages 16 and above. No previous watercolour/drawing experience needed.
$110 pp. Includes all materials and entry to the Museum with guided tour. Booking essential as places are limited.
Dates
Saturday 23rd November BOOK HERE
Saturday 7th December - Christmas Card BOOK HERE
About the Illustrator
Serena is a local children's book author and illustrator, specialising in picture books and middle-grade readers. With over seventy illustrated titles, she brings a wealth of experience in both traditional and digital techniques, enjoying the creative process using various mediums such as watercolour, gouache, and pencil. As a creative wellness facilitator, Serena runs workshops for both children and adults during school terms and holidays, emphasising wellness and mindfulness through art at her Lane Cove studio. She is thrilled to collaborate with May Gibbs Nutcote Cottage, where she will share her love of creative expression and illustration by teaching visitors the basics of this art form.
Email me for more details about 2025 bookings!
Dare to Bowl
Howzat Pat!
🏏 Howzat Pat by Pat Cummins🏏
Co Written by Dave Hartley Illustrated by Serena Geddes
Cricket fans, this one's for you! Australian Cricket Captain Pat Cummins, along with Dave Hartley and Serena Geddes, brings you Howzat Pat, a new illustrated adventure series. Follow Pat's big move from the coast to the Blue Mountains, where he makes new friends and finds a place to play cricket. This series is packed with action, inspiration, and the spirit of the game. Whether you're a die-hard cricket fan or new to the sport, Howzat Pat will keep you on the edge of your seat. Keep an eye out for exclusive behind-the-scenes content and more!
OUT OCTOBER 2024
First book in the series
MIA MEGASTAR!
Lulu Bell meets Glee in a charming and hilarious junior fiction series from beloved Aussie actor Ada Nicodemou!
🌟 Mia Megastar by Ada Nicodemou 🌟
Get ready to dive into the glitzy and glamorous world of Mia Megastar! Written by the talented Ada Nicodemou, this series follows the life of Mia, an aspiring singer and actress, as she navigates the highs and lows of fame. With unforgettable characters, heartwarming moments, and a lot of drama, Mia Megastar is sure to captivate readers of all ages. Whether you're a fan of music, acting, or just love a good story, this series has something for everyone. Stay tuned for more updates and sneak peeks!
The Juggling Act - Out Now!
We Are Matildas
Out Now
We Are Matildas
⚽️ by Shelley Ware ⚽️
From Shelley Ware and Serena Geddes comes an energetic picture book celebrating football and the team spirit of the CommBank Matildas, which will have you cheering from the sidelines.
Jazzy dreams of being a football star and playing for the CommBank Matildas one day. She has a plan to get there . . . now all she needs is a team. This determined leader soon realises that being on the field with her friends is one of the best parts of the game.
Together, we are Matildas.
'Cracking keepsake of an historic time for young fans.' The Australian Women's Weekly
Meet Jazzy!
Author, Illustrator, speaker & teacher
ABOUT ME
My colourful career has taken me to places I could never have imagined from my early days working for Walt Disney Studios in Sydney, to publishing around the world and now teaching mindfulness workshops and art to children and adults.
I spent my childhood days reading comic books, climbing trees, making mud patties and watching cartoons. I indulged my growing mind with colours, characters and stories in the books I read and the drawings I created.
My journey into picture books started in 2009 when I emailed as many publishers as I could, and sent them a twelve page portfolio. After a very long wait, I had an encouraging reply from a small publisher who liked a drawing of a giraffe which matched a manuscript they had. This became my first picture book. Over the time I have illustrated more than seventy titles that have been published all around the world. These come in all forms: board books, picture books, middle grade readers but there was a gap in my collection.
My newest adventure has me embarking on the colourful world of graphic novels.
Jump forward to 2022 my editor at Scholastic asked if I would write and illustrate a graphic novel (what????!) Of course I said YES! As a reluctant reader growing up, my brother's comic collection was my ideal reading material. Filled with colourful pages and little writing, I found myself getting lost in the world of the protagonist. I didn’t realise at the time, but reading the pictures helped me as a visual storyteller capturing my stories through images. The exciting news is… that not only did I write up two stories about Cheysa Moon, (watch this space!) I have been asked by Scholastic to write and illustrate two new novels which I am in the midst of!
I am so excited to be stepping into this new world of storytelling but I won’t lie, I’m a tad nervous too … but in the words of Amy Poehler…
“I THINK IT’S GLORIOUS TO BE NERVOUS. BEING NERVOUS IS GREAT! HOW OFTEN DO WE GET NERVOUS ON A DAILY BASIS? BEING SLIGHTLY NERVOUS MEANS YOU CARE, AND YOU’RE ALIVE, AND YOU’RE TAKING SOME KIND OF RISK. HOORAY FOR BEING NERVOUS! A FRIEND TOLD ME TO SUBSTITUTE THE WORD ‘NERVOUS’ FOR ‘EXCITEMENT’ THAT WAY YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THE PHYSICAL FEELINGS WITHOUT PUTTING A NEGATIVE SPIN ON THINGS.”
So...I am sooooo exhilarated, thrilled and electrified to be writing and illustrating my first graphic novel for you guys!
Yeah…that actually did help
xx
Background
Prior to dabbling in picture books, I spent six years working for Walt Disney Studios in Sydney with a group of talented artist on sequels to The Lion King, Peter Pan Return to Neverland, Lady and the Tramp and Jungle Book. Disney offered an intense 3-month training period as an entry level In-betweener and is where I gained most of my skills. Unfortunately the doors closed in 2006 but many of the artists continued animation in studios like Dave Enterprises, Flying Bark and Animal Logic.
Working for Disney has been one of the highlights in my career and definitely was a contributor when it came to illustrating for picture books.
I studied a short course at CCE in Sydney, run by Donna Rawlins and Wayne Harris in 2009 which taught the process of illustrating a picture book. Sharing their knowledge and industry requirements this amazing course attributed to my first official offer months later.
Comic Relief
Miles from Home
I am beyond excited to be collaborating with the incredibly talented Alyssa Moon on a new comic series called Miles From Home. The reason I’m so excited? Aside from this being my FIRST COMIC! It was a dream of mine to be published in Countdown and Blast Off magazines that reach thousands of kids in schools across NSW. We hope you love Miles and his friends and he tries to adjust to his new life in Orgsborg.
Miles had a peaceful life until his parents got divorced. Now he’s heading off to live with his mum on the island where she grew up. A new country. A new school, with new kids. Grandparents he’s never met. What could possibly go wrong? Well, for starters, it’s no ordinary island. It’s the land of gribblots, purquins, and brumbles: three fairytale races who live in (mostly) peaceful harmony.
Normal kid. Fairytale world. What could possibly go wrong?
Oh, and his mum is a gribblot. Which means he’s half-gribblot… Even though he looks (and feels) entirely human. Everything on the island is magical, or dangerous, or magically dangerous. Miles is quickly in over his head. His science partner might want to eat him, he can’t ride a magical skateboard, and he’s never even seen a dragon. Worst of all? He’s failing math. Will Miles ever feel like this new world is home?
For the grown up child
Adult Workshops
In recent months I have begun running creative workshops from my studio here in Sydney. I am loving teaching adults how to access their visual voice through journaling and illustration. Connecting mindfulness and self development with creative exploration. New classes have just been released. To find out more, head to the Adult Classes or to register your interest for the next course below.
PORTFOLIO & OTHER WORK
Home Page Gallery - portfolio
WORK WITH ME
Home Page Gallery - work with me
“Creativity is experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.”
