What’s this illustration for?
This was in my first book,
Louise Builds a House,
published over twenty years ago. The artwork was about to go to the printers,
but my editor decided to change the original pic, so I did this in under an
hour, and couriered it to her. The text for this page says "and a drawbridge to
draw fish on". I've always liked the play on words, although the drawing and
painting is very simplistic I think it works in this book.
Do you have to wait for a flash of
inspiration - how do you start?
I think of things for years and
years, and I write them down in notebooks. Although I have the ideas for two
books when I was in emergency wards with acute asthma (which is weird now I
think of it.)
How did you get your start as an
illustrator?
I studied Graphic Design in the
hope of becoming an illustrator. After I graduated I did children's fabric
design, and I also did magazine illustrations. The idea for my first book was
from a project I did in Graphic Design- designing the perfect art school.
Who or what has influenced your
work?
I have always read a lot. I think
reading is the key to being an illustrator- one needs to really extend the text,
not just decorate it. I like the work of Herge, and Jean de Brunhoff, Pat
Hutchins and Janet Ahlberg, to name just a few.
What's your favourite media for
creating pictures?
Black ink outlines (I still use
Rapidographs) and watercolour paint (Old Holland is my favourite)
Do you experience illustrator's
block - if so, what do you do about it?
No, I think it's always hard work.
What's the worst thing about being
a freelancer?
Being alone.
And the best?
Being alone
What are you working on at the
moment?
Not a book at the moment, but
several commissions and a commercial project.
Where can we see more of your
work?
