About Sally

Dear Daisy Chain is an unusual illustration studio and the portal for a curiously gentle narrative vista; a written and visual world rooted in social, ecological and printing histories. As an illustrator, writer, printmaker, book maker and public art designer, narrative works by Sally reflect on ideas of innocence and innocence-lost; legacies of the social and ecological past drawing close as cautionary tales and as a means to express deep longing. The human story is dealt with both sharpness and tenderness by Sally. Time disappears, humanity faces itself.

Sally’s fine press imprint Morris & Company Press produces new ephemera as publishing ‘artefacts’ for the modern eye and for the hands that might hold Sally’s tales. The increasing inclusion of historical letterpress printing, handset type, and hand-carved illustration blocks in her practice adds contemplative and philosophical meanings to her process. Sally’s public art commissions have explored a different medium (illustrations silhouetted in weathering steel from pencil drawings), though the common thread is her storytelling. In all her work, doggedly the past persists in her as a muse and mentor. History is a mother whose milk is both sweet and bitter to her lips.

Sally’s books have been part of the NGV Melbourne Art Book Fairs and the National Trust Australian Heritage Festival (with Hobsons Bay Libraries). She performs contemplative book readings of her tales and teaches simple book binding and printmaking workshops for institutions and community groups that include the themes of history in her own work. She also teaches at Firestation Print Studio in Melbourne, guiding others in the historical craft of letterpress at the intersection of text, illustration and design.

From readers of The Birds-A Fairy Tale (offset edition published 2023) ~

“Your book joins our library of classics, next to Kahlil Gibran and Wendell Berry. Thanks for the love and care you have put into crafting these rich and illustrative word-images. I finished it both elated and encouraged, and saddened and distraught. All at once. You have been courageous in pushing us (the readers) along in our journey. The call to be transformed. Overwhelmingly lovely and monstrously terrifying. Well done. Captivating, beautiful, poetic, unexpected. A ferociously fine tale.” ~ Nick

“The Birds! So it is a bathing of the senses. It is sensational in the true meaning of the word. I couldn’t stop reading all those perfect words, poured over every beautiful illustration…” ~ Anne

“Holding this book is like holding a treasure” ~ Lindesay

Testimonials from Sally’s book readings and printmaking workshops ~

“Sally was fantastic; she was a lovely facilitator. Really great, calm manner, very clear instructions and pitched at just the right level for the patrons. She broke her instructions up into manageable 'bites' and waited for everyone to catch up - so was very inclusive” ~ Greater Dandenongs Libraries, 2025

 “The workshop was absolutely wonderful — I really loved watching how you led the group and the way you brought beauty, care, and inspiration into the process. I could see how engaged and inspired the young people were” ~ Rudolf Steiner Youth Group, Christian Community Melbourne, 2025

“Your talk was just phenomenal for our students to hear. You spoke with such honesty, from such incredible lived experience, and with such passion. All we can hope for really when we engage professionals in the world to come and speak to our young people” ~ Sophia Mundi Steiner School, Year 12 IB Visual Art Program, 2024

“Sally is so wise and beautiful…it was a great night…special on many levels” ~ North Melbourne Community Choir, 2024

“Powerful story” ~ Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre World Migratory Bird Day, 2024

“It was a bit magical! I’m so glad I waited to read your tale until after hearing you read it - your voice made the dear bird sound so very compassionate, patient and trustworthy…” ~ Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre World Migratory Bird Day, 2024

“I wanted to thank you again for Sunday’s special event…I have been raving about your talk to staff” ~ Hobsons Bay Libraries for the National Trust Australian Heritage Festival, 2024

“The recent student workshop featuring Sally Nansen was a remarkable experience. Sally captivated the students with a reading of her beautifully crafted story, bringing characters and scenes to life with her expressive storytelling. Sally not only read her story but shared the inspirations and reasons behind it, providing valuable insights into the creative process… an inspiring and enriching experience that highlighted the power of storytelling” ~ Rivercrest Christian College, Grade 5s & Grade 1s, 2024

“Thanks so much for sharing your gorgeous art and lovely words with our book club. It really was the most nourishing time for us, and you did such a beautiful job of creating a safe and inspiring space” ~ Warnambool Book Club, 2023

“What a beautiful morning with Sally” ~ Yarraville Book Club, 2023