Olivia Gibbs
Children's Illustrator
Do you have a favourite picture book or recall one of the first picture books you saw?
Growing up my dad would always buy children’s books for us. I grew up with books of fables and fairytales, full of illustrations and short stories. I loved to just browse through them and look at the pictures.
Do you keep a sketch book?
I have several different sketchbooks in different sizes. I love to fill the pages with different themes and mix up all of my ideas. My most favorite part of the creative process is the sketching and drawing part.
Outline your dream project.
My dream project would be to illustrate a story that could be developed into several books and it would also be developed into plush toys and even being developed into an animation series. To be able to see my drawings animated would be an absolute dream!!
What’s the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?
I remember the best piece of advice I ever got was what encouraged me to start my Instagram account several years ago. I saw Emily Winfield Martin giving a TED talk, I am not sure what it was about exactly, but something she said stuck with me….” If you build it, they will come”....that encouraged me to start putting my work out there. I remember she also said that advice was given to her and she had also felt inspired by it.
How important is it for you to be part of a creative community of people?
It is incredibly important because the work of an illustrator can be a very lonely one. But to be part of the community of similar minded people lets you know that you are not alone, that we all face the same problems and creative blocks. It is also important because it allows you to be constantly inspired with the work of others and with their personal stories.