Who or what made you want to become an illustrator?

I remember receiving an easel as a gift when I was eight, I had just two canvas and I remember my first paintings were two dogs, one Husky puppy on a blue background and one big Husky on a yellow background. I loved (and love) creating new worlds, and new stories.

Illustration and drawing are to me a way to escape from reality, creating new stories and new possibilities.

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

After graduating in Industrial Design, I felt something was missing.

I loved Design, but it was way "too real" to me, I had a vivid imagination I wanted to explore more.

So I decided to apply for a scholarship for MIMASTER Illustration, in Milan and I was selected.

I felt free in the illustration field, I finally found out what I wanted to become.

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

Yes, I graduated in Industrial Design and after that I attended one course with the illustrator Simone Rea in Rome.

Then, I was selected for Mimaster Illustration in Milan and last year I also joined the Visual Development Course at IDEA Academy in Rome.

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

I grew up and currently live in Rome, I lived one year in Milan and I hope to explore and to live somewhere else next year, I love to travel!

Was creativity part of your childhood?

Definetely, I remember creating stories with my plushes and always trying to copy Disney's characters, I loved Donald Duck but he was so difficult to draw for me!

Do you have a favourite picture book or recall one of the first picture books you saw?

I love "Professional Crocodile" by Maria Chiara Di Giorgio, I think her style is amazing and dreaming.

I also love Benjamin Chaud's works, his illustrations are so funny and expressive.

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

I cannot live witout my Ipad and Procreate! I think it's an amazing software, it brings to me the joy of drawing, as much as drawing on paper.

What is your favourite medium to work with and why?

I love to draw simply with a soft black pencil and a paper, I think digital art is amazing but I couldn't start anything without the feeling of the paper and the pencils.

Do you keep a sketch book?

Sure, I have tons of sketch books! They help me organizing ideas and I love to sketch out rough characters or backgrounds!

What do you hope children take away from your drawings?

I hope children can take away a smile. I love to work on character design and expressions, I try to be gentle and funny at the same time.

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

I am obssessed with dogs and cats, I used to be a petsitter and this influenced my illustrations a lot!

I actually have one cat, named James, I love him and I hope to create a story about his little life.