Incursions - Aska Storytelling

Talks and Workshops? Absolutely!

I offer informative, hands-on talks and workshops. And all with an extra blast of inspiration and a huge serve of fun.

I am a visual storyteller, a maker, a thinker, a question-asker, a world-traveller, a button-presser and an imagination-whisperer. My fast-paced sessions are fun, energetic and full of audience participation. With puzzles, games, live drawing and the occasional explosion (all in the name of science!), there’s something for everyone.

I believe that images are a powerful language that can awaken big emotions, make us hungry, send shivers down our spine, push us towards rushed decision-making, and help us grow as individuals. And just as with other languages, like Japanese, algebra or cooking, we need to learn how to ‘speak’ ‘read’ and ‘write’ the language of images. It’s not about talent – we need education.

My presentations and workshops treat drawing as a language. I empower my audience to express themselves with images, I teach critical assessment of visual media, and I illuminate new ways of seeing the world and solving problems. This, I believe, is how we can prepare the next generation for the evermore complex future, full of screens and visual stimuli.

I run a variety of engaging shows and workshops for children, adults and teachers, and can adjust the program to your needs.

Topics I can cover include:

visual literacy and visual critical thinking,
line-drawing as a language (that anyone can learn!),
how to make stories using the language of comics (a great complement to writing courses),
how I turn 300-word manuscripts into picture books,
designing animated characters,
the importance of feeding our imaginations,
visualising dyslexia,
perseverance: the science of ‘mistakes’,
and much more

I’ve worked with tens of thousands of children and adults in schools, libraries, tents and under trees, spreading my boundless enthusiasm for visual storytelling, enriching imaginations and sharing my love of science.

Please contact me with your event ideas and for more information on my rates.

Teachers and Librarians say:

“This was absolutely outstanding! Engaging, entertaining, educational and absolutely first class! Can’t speak highly enough!!!!”

“My class and I wanted to sincerely thank you for the most engaging, entertaining and informative session. The students thoroughly enjoyed the morning and were talking about you, your books and experiments for the rest of the day. I have included some thank you cards from the students.”

“Thank you so much for the excursion that our PP’s – 2’s attended last week at the Library. The feedback from every member of staff was that Aśka was fantastic. The children all thoroughly enjoyed it and it complimented our School’s Book Week perfectly.”

“The students and I learnt so much about the art of writing a comic/graphic novel, I know the students will certainly take that knowledge with them into their writing sessions. We are now getting our girls to provide feedback to their classmates to improve their writing. Thank you for a great day!”

Kids say:

“The workshop with Aśka positively influenced my drawing skills but she helped me become more confident to draw as I’m not good at it but she made me feel like a good artist! I strongly recommend her books!”

“I loved this because some of the information I didn't know, so I learned lots from today.”

“I definitely liked the bit where (…) you got to choose different endings and funny things. My character died because it was so excited it’s head exploded.”

“It gave me a lot more confidence and I’ve learnt a lot. She was also a really good and fun author to be working with.”