Having developed a deep passion for art from a young age, Annette Ferguson took a leap to pursue more of her own creative work, launching an online artist profile to showcase her designs.
But the Dubbo-based, visually impaired graphic designer never expected it would lead to an opportunity with one of Australia’s leading renewable energy companies.
Squadron Energy chose Ms Ferguson, who lives near Uungula Wind Farm, to design the art for their upcoming children’s activity book.
“Squadron Energy found me on that website,” Ms Ferguson said.
“They rang me and said, ‘We really like your art’. They asked me if I would do the cover for them and I thought, ‘Hell yes!’.”
The activity book brings together engaging puzzles, captivating artwork and educational content for children, including a crossword, maze, word search, connect-the-dots and spot-the-difference activities.
For Ms Ferguson, the opportunity came at the perfect time, allowing her to return to more personal creative pursuits after years working in the commercial space.
Drawing on her upbringing on a property outside Dubbo, Ms Ferguson used her connection to the land as inspiration for the artwork.
This also came from her experiences and knowledge of horses, and the many friends she has who are farmers or who lived on farms.
“I felt inspired by my life. My general life in the country,” she said.
“Part of the brief was to create a farm landscape with animals and plants, and I thought it was important [for it to] be educational for kids.”
Her designs feature elements familiar to regional Australia, including livestock and native flowers and plants such as sunflowers and kangaroo paw.
Ms Ferguson said one of the most rewarding aspects of the project was the opportunity to collaborate closely with the Squadron team, along with the creative freedom and flexibility she was given.
“Squadron was really good to work with,” she said.
“They were absolutely delightful the whole time.”
Ms Ferguson is one of three regional artists selected to contribute to the book, alongside Jasmine Pearce and James Baggley, who live in Dysart and Glenden respectively, near Clarke Creek Wind Farm in Queensland.
The activity book will be released soon, with copies to be distributed at community events supported by Squadron Energy and during school visits to project sites.
Ms Ferguson has also contributed her artwork to other meaningful community spaces, including Macquarie Home Stay in Dubbo.
This is a vital accommodation service for cancer patients across Western NSW, with Squadron Energy sponsoring one of the living spaces at the facility last year.
