I was once interviewed on Kazakhstan TV. They forgot to give me the English translation headphones so I have to this day no idea what they said about me…
2. What is your nickname?
My husband calls me Bug
3. What is your greatest fear?
Losing a good friend
4. Describe your illustration style in ten words.
Insane amount of detail -a triple Salchow (ice-dancing) that might just come off. I can’t possibly restrict myself to 10 words when I use so many different elements in my illustrations.
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as an illustrator.
Happy, layered, busy, passionate draw-er
6. What book character would you be, and why?
Winnie the Pooh
He’s so totally loved and never has to grow up AND he lives in a tree in the woods.
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
Into the future …to the End of the World, to see what happens. But I won’t tell anyone.
8. What would your ten-year-old self say to you now?
See – you can do it.
9. Who is your greatest influence?
All sorts of artists and illustrators but I think I can’t put anyone higher than my mum.
10. What/who made you start drawing and painting?
I was the youngest of 4 children and it felt like the others bossed me about a bit (they’d probably disagree). So I drew my own worlds where I could make my own stuff happen – I think I still do that now. There’s lots about the world that’s not so nice, I can change all that!
11. What is your favourite word and why?
2B
Just the word itself conjures up that intoxicating smell of a freshly sharpened pencil
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Moominland Midwinter by 1950’s Finnish author/illustrator Tove Jansson. It’s the perfect book about friendship, yearning and snow. I’ve been re-reading it since I was about 9 so why stop now?
Liz Anelli is an artist and illustrator based in Newcastle, NSW. She is the artist behind the Mapping the Port of Newcastle project and has illustrated a variety of books for children including her latest title, Howzat!, written by Mike Lefroy and published by Walker Books. You can find our more about Liz and her art by visiting her website and Facebook page.
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