illustrators interview
Its countdown to december and the publication of judi castilles collaboration childrens story about a delightful hen who loves her farm homestead, and all the other animals that share it with her.
but then she sneaks into a van and her whole world changes as she arrives in an unknown place. but she finds new friends and her way back home and realizes that sometimes your day may be different, but just as much fun!
beautiful illustrations throughout. we spoke to judi castille re her inspirations…..
“i love traditional childrens art from the turn of the century and through to the 1960’s, with lots of colour, line work, and strong compositions. the hen was fun to design and i added a jacket for a burst of colour on her and it helps her stand out. I feel very lucky to have been chosen by the author to illustrate her story and this will be my first childrens book and i am super excited!
i use coloured pencils and Pan Pastels, the latter give a softness to the final work and subtle background colouring. there were some great characters to add – a naughty looking cat, guineas, a butterfly, and my favorite – the spider. he is in every illustration and was inspired by Richard scarry’s great books i read as a child and we had to spot lowly worm and the two mice, one was in a wheel chair and other used crutches.
there are other elements to spot and i hope children will love the story about finding yourself in another place but still finding friends, and the love of home and how you live in that home.”
the author Victoria falcon will be chatting to us latter about what inspired her to write this story and her quest for an illustrator.
Premo from London Publishing UK 