Who or what made you want to become an illustrator?

As a child I used to draw big families of people in different environments and situations all the time. My mum and dad always encouraged my creativity, and as I grew older they came to be my inspiration; with my mum having worked as an illustrator and my dad a freelance photographer. I remember my dad used to draw faces on boiled eggs when I was little, which I always loved. 
 

How and why did you decide to pursue illustration as your career?

I found it was something I always found comfort in and sometimes a way of escaping reality. When drawing, your imagination can take you anywhere. It has taken a lot of time and plenty of learning curbs to get to a place I feel happy with. 

Did you attend art school or undertake any other formal artistic training?

After attending Settle High School, I went to Lancaster and Morecambe College to do a foundation degree where I specialised in Fine Art. I have got a lot of happy memories from being there and made friends for life. After that I went on to the University of Brighton where I studied Fine Art Printmaking, I mostly loved my time in Brighton but a year after I graduated decided to move back north to be nearer to my family.

I continued with my artistic practice along side working for 10+ years within the care sector. Within the last few years I started to pursue my illustration work more by attending markets, where I sell my own prints and greetings cards, and taking on more commissions.

Where do you currently live and where did you grow up?

I was born in Tooting, London and as a family we made the move to Settle, North Yorkshire when I was 12. I moved to Leeds in my late 20s and currently live with my younger sister Imogen.

Which books from your own childhood really stand out?

The Enormous Crocodile by Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake, The Dog That Dug by Jonathan Long and Korky Paul, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, Farmyard Tales by Heather Amery & Stephen Cartwright, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, Mog the Forgetful Cat by Judith Kerr, Funnybones by Janet & Allan Ahlberg. Too many to list really!

What piece of software or hardware could you not live without and why?

Procreate. It allows me to explore different styles and techniques within my work easily. I like being able to erase aspects and experiment within a digital format.

Talk us through the process of creating one of your latest illustrations or books.

I will often start with one colour and then build on that by experimenting with layers. I try to keep my colour palette fairly limited as when I overlap shapes this will create new colours. 

Do you offer more than one style, if so – talk us through the different approaches and the audience you are targeting for each.

I enjoy experimenting with different styles within my work and relating to the previous question Procreate allows me to do that. I have realised that sometimes less is more if the artwork is strong enough and obtaining good reference material helps to keep my work fresh and playful.

What do you hope children take away from your drawings?

I create my illustrations in the hope that they will be cheerful and humorous

Where do you get the ideas for your characters?

I love animals - especially unusual ones (like frogs!) and often find myself introducing them into everyday situations when drawing. I’m also a big fan of the unknown and bizarre; alien abductions and “dream dinner parties,” which include snails and Humpty Dumpty… 

Animals feature heavily in children’s books – do you have a pet?

Lunar the Lurcher and Rudy the Miniature Dachshund! They bring me a lot of happiness.