TESTIMONIALS from librarians, teachers and event organisers
"Having Lara Porter visit Heathcote High School was such a delightful experience! As the illustrator of Running with Wings, she brought an incredible energy to her sessions that really captivated our students. It wasn't just her artistic skills that shone through; it was her warm and interactive approach that made everyone feel included and inspired.
Lara has a genuine knack for connecting with students, encouraging them to tap into their own creativity and storytelling abilities. The way she collaborated with author Sam Squiers to create a picture book that celebrates dreams, determination, and friendship was truly special. During her visit, she shared her journey as an illustrator in a way that really resonated with the kids.
Her passion for what she does was infectious, and she made it more than just a workshop—it was inspiring. Lara's visit truly enriched our school community and left a lasting impression on both students and staff. I can’t recommend her highly enough for any school or program looking to inspire young minds through art and storytelling!"
Sarah Cook, Teacher-librarian, Heathcote High School
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"I had the honour of hosting a presentation by award-winning freelance illustrator Lara Porter at St. Aloysius College, Rozelle last year, just before the launch of the children's book Running with Wings, which she had illustrated. Lara engaged the Year 9 students with her storytelling and shared valuable insights from her extensive experience as an artist, art director, and illustrator. She explained the process of working with authors to bring characters and stories to life visually.
Lara took the students through each step of her illustration process, showing how her initial sketches develop into finished artwork. She also shared her personal story, from being a young girl who loved to draw to deciding to pursue art as a career. Her journey was a great example of how passion and determination can turn a love of creativity into a professional path. She also explained how publishing companies help facilitate communication between authors and illustrators, and the students were particularly interested in how digital tools have changed the illustration process over time.
One of the highlights was when Lara showed her work on Running with Wings, a book written by Sam Squiers, an award-winning sports journalist, presenter, and author. Lara brought her iPad and a copy of the finished book, demonstrating the various stages of her illustrations for the story of a young girl who loves to run. The students were excited to see the illustrations come to life on her device.
Lara’s presentation helped the students better understand the world of illustration and the creative process behind bringing stories to life visually. Her friendly, professional approach made the session an unforgettable experience."
Mrs Eileen Quinane, Year 11 Head of Year and Visual Arts Teacher, St Aloysius’ College
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"Lara read "Running with wings" several times at our Reading Corner organised by the Ultimo Public School. The audience was extremely engaged and captivated. The story has beautiful illustrations that all children loved. Lara then organised a design your own book cover workshop which was highly appreciated and attended by children of all ages."
Tessa Goodman, Ultimo Public School Reading Corner