A Northwest Children's Author and Illustrator
Doris Burn held a life-long dream of becoming a children's book illustrator and author. In 1956, three months after the birth of her daughter Lisa (which occured on Waldron Island assisted by a local midwife), Doris took courage to pursue her dream by travelling to New York City with a portfolio of drawings to show to publishers. The response from publishers encouraged her to continue writing and drawing on her return to Waldron island. Burn went on to write or illustrate eleven published works over the next two decades.
Doris Burn's children recall their mother writing and drawing deep into the night by kerosene lamp, after they had gone to bed. This image shows the interior of the Burn family cabin in 1954: pictured in the dining area - around the table where Doris Burn would write and draw - are Robin Skye with cousins Killara and Terrigal and Aunt Barbara, on the occasion of someone's birthday.
This untitled, unpublished illustration was part of the portfolio of drawings that Doris Burn carried to show New York City publishers. The portfolio includes a number of versions of sketches that would eventually be incorporated into published works such as Andrew Henry’s Meadow and Hudden and Dudden and Donald O’Neary.