FERAL FINN
Written and illustrated by Elaine Tribbick
BOOK COVER
In 2009 the W.A country arts awarded Elaine a mentorship grant. Elaine spent 18 months working on the project under the guidance of one of Australia’s most renowned children’s book writers and illustrators Matt Ottley who became the mentor. Elaine’s submittal was to write and illustrate a children’s book.
The Project consisted of writing the story, tailoring and editing the text to match the images. Designing the images to create a 32 page book. Arranging the sketches and text together on 6 storyboards. Completing the illustrations which are 17 acrylic paintings on canvas.
Elaine spent 7 years living in the Pilbara mining town of Newman during which time she was raising her two young sons. The Pilbara terrain was their backyard, dramatic red rocky escarpments, stark ghost gum trees, blonde bushy spinifex and crystal clear waterholes a rich tapestry in all of natures elements. As an artist Elaine’s desire to document this phase of her life became crucial.
Elaine’s storybook was influenced by her respect for all living creatures and the threat feral cats are to the native wildlife in the Australian outback.
The story has a distinctly Australian essence about a rogue domestic cat named “Finn” it’s a beautifully written tale about belonging and friendship. Elaine’s stunning illustrations are scenic masterpieces depicting the ancient rugged Pilbara landscape featuring quirky little native animals full of charm and character. After completing the mentorship project in 2011 she relocated to Broome.
THE STORYBOARD IMAGES
The storyboard sketches were on A3 paper they gave an overall rough guide of how the images and text would flow. Some of the images changed when the final illustrations were painted.
Storyboard 1
Storyboard 2
Storyboard 3
Storyboard 4
Storyboard 5
Storyboard 6
The Illustrations
Acrylic paintings on canvas 92cm wide x 58cm high
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In a small town in the heart of the West Australian bush, lived a cat named Finn. Finn enjoyed the most contented, carefree life ever with his adoring parents. But one fateful day everything changed.
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Out of nowhere arrived The Bundle of Joy. Finn was immediately demoted. Now, he was just “The Cat” and somehow, had become invisible.
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The constant obsession of Finn’s parents for The Bundle of Joy was fogging their brains. Even his dinners were no longer served on time.
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And something else had disappeared too: his peace and quiet. Finn’s ears were ringing, his head was pounding and his pour tummy was constantly growling.
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But Finn discovered that being invisible didn’t make him safe. He needed to ESCAPE.
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With nothing to lose he made a dash for the door.
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When he finally stopped to catch his breath, he felt the warm desert breeze tickle his whiskers.
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It was peaceful and he was free.
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But his new found tranquillity didn’t last very long. A ferocious grumbling from down below reminded him that he had skipped breakfast.
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Suddenly the grumbling grew louder, and turned into a high-pitched screeching. “Please don’t eat me,” a voice fearfully squawked.
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Finn was startled. Staring at the voice’s owner he said “You are covered in tickling feathers, Yuk!” “My name is Kooki Kane” said the bird terrified. Kooki sobbed as he tried to explain, “I will never make it back to my family tree. My wing is damaged, and it’s such a long way.”
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Finn felt his heart melting. He smiled gently and suggested “How about you climb on my back and I can carry you home.”
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After many hours listening to the chatter of the noisy and wriggle some cockatoo, the bird pointed and screeched in Finn’s ear. “Now that looks like a much better way to travel.” The pair climbed aboard the train carrying the iron ore from the mine to port. The gentle swaying of the carriage lulled them to sleep.
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An abrupt “croak” jolted them awake. Emerging from the iron ore dirt below Finn’s feet was a disorientated frog. Mumbling under his breath “I can’t believe they dug me up again.” “What are you two doing here ?” it croaked. Kooki squawked “We’re just having a ride.” The frog eyed them suspiciously. “You’re not feeling peckish are you? I’m actually very slimy, probably quite nasty to taste.” “You certainly look pretty yucky to me,” said Finn. “I only eat Finlay’s Special Seafood for Cats.” the frog replied “We’ll if your not going to eat me, then take me with you; I need a new home away from that mine.”
Thrusting a gooey hand out the frog declared “Great to meet you I’m Leaping Leroy.”
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“The train is heading for the port on the coast, that’s where I ended up the last time. Is that where our new home is?” insisted Leroy grinning.
“What” screeched Kooki “The “coast?” “My family tree is in the hills. We’re going in the wrong direction. Quick! Jump we need to get off!”
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That evening the trio rested under a gum tree on the river bank. As Finn cleared a patch of dirt to lie in, something sharp stabbed his paw. The sharp thing suddenly puffed itself up into a very spikey little lizard. “Don’t even think about eating me” the lizard snorted. Finn laughed “Apart from being the weirdest creature I’ve ever seen, you’re covered in spikes, yuk I’m not into tongue piercings, thanks.”
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“I’m a Thorny Devil to you, mate, and anyway, you look like the most feral cat I’ve ever seen.” “Hey, I’m not looking for trouble,” said Finn, “Just friends and maybe someone who knows this wilderness? We’re lost” “Ah, well, that’s okay. Look no further, I know everything about everything around here. Call me Daring Drew the best guide in the West.”
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“Ok guys,” ordered Drew, “Rest up; we’ll be leaving at the crack of dawn.” With that he rolled over, muttering to himself and promptly went to sleep.
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“Lucky for you lot,” bellowed Drew next morning, “I am navigating, which means I have to travel on Finn’s head.” The other animals argued about who was sitting next to who, as Finn waited patiently. Finally, when everybody was on board, Drew declared, “Let’s go! It’s that way.”
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“Excuse me” said Leroy “Looks like there’s trouble overhead.” “Keep quite down the back” yelled Drew. “But there’s a ……” “Keep quite, I said. there’s to be no backseat driving. I am in charge of directions.”
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Everyone froze, stunned by the little mouse’s miraculous escape. “Are you ok?” Finn eventually asked. “What do you think have you ever been dropped out of the sky by the claws of death? And if you are going to eat me” continued the mouse “ Get on with it. It’s just my luck to escape the clutches of an eagle then fall straight into the jaws of a cat!” “No way” said Finn “You’re covered in fur. I cough up enough fur balls to knit you 10 jumpers.” “In that case” squeaked the mouse “I’m coming with you guys. As my Mum used to say there’s safety in numbers.”
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“Ok” piped Drew “If you’re coming with us you can ride on the tail. We’re getting a bit top heavy up here. What’s your name, buddy?” “Running Ruben” replied the mouse.
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After the longest most exhausting day ever, Kooki squawked excitedly “We made it; I can see my family tree. We’re home at last! Hooray for Finn!” Drew immediately snapped “Thanks to me you mean.” Finn was exhausted and very, very hungry.
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Kooki’s curious family were so pleased to see Kooki home safe and well. The animals realised quickly Finn was starving each animal offering him some food to eat. “It’s no easy task being a parent” said Jittery Jack the emu father “No one knows better than your parents what’s best for you.” “And” added Caring Chloe the kangaroo “I am sure you’re family are missing you very much. If you want to squeeze in beside Rusty Roo, I can take you home?”
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After a long journey through the night, Finn arrived home in the early hours of the morning. “Take care Feral Finn “ whispered his new found friends “We promise to visit soon.”