Q & A

What is your favourite meal of the day?

My first mug of coffee in the morning, with oat milk and cinnamon.

How did you get into illustration?

I started out doing figurative fine art; oil, acrylic and watercolour painting. I still do that from time to time but illustration and surface pattern design take up most of my focus now. I’ve tried a lot of different things and that experience comes in useful in the most unexpected situations!

What inspires you?

I take a lot of inspiration from history and nature. Some of my favourite sources of visual inspiration are medieval manuscripts, especially the Books of Hours that were richly illustrated. What do you enjoy about your work? I love to tell stories, and love adding little humorous twists to stories and imagery. I think being a children’s illustrator is the ultimate expression of my artistic experience.

What do you do in your spare time?

I’m not sure I have any time to spare… but if I do I want to spend it with my family. Preferably going on adventures. I love to travel by train to new places. And London. I love London!

What are you reading right now?

My bedside table is piled up with books! Most recently; ‘The Case Against Reality’ by Donald D. Hoffman and ‘The 4% Universe’ by Richard Panek (there is a theme here!) To be honest I do struggle to find time to read. I usually fall asleep with the book in my hands and my husband removes my reading glasses and turns the light off!