Random, silly, oddball & quirky. My birds have teeth.
What items are an essential part of your creative space?
Layout pads, pencils & inks … my Mac & the scanner.
Do you have a favourite artistic medium?
Conté crayon/Lead pencil & ink wash
Name three artists whose work inspires you.
Quentin Blake, Ralph Steadman and David Shrigley
Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?
The Golden Years of Metal. Give me any Motorhead, Iron Maiden or Metallica album cover and I’m there!
Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?
My dad, a fellow illustrator and the reason I got into all this in the first place. These days my main inspiration is my son Archie. He’s a dab hand on the crayons himself!
Can you share a photo of your creative work space or part of the area where you work most often?
It’s far too messy right now … actually has been from the start. I could only find these two clean(ish) corners.
What is your favourite part of the illustration process?
Seeing the finished product on shelves … so rewarding.
What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?
Be yourself and let your imagination run wild. Your style is an extension of your personality, so don’t hold back. I believe the other important thing is to stay relevant, keep evolving.
Jon Foye is an Australian illustrator and advertising art director. His books include Parrot Carrot and Mike I Don't Like, both written by Kate and Jol Temple. His latest book, also written by Kate and Jol Temple, is Captain Jimmy Cook Discovers Third Grade, published by Allen & Unwin in May 2016. Follow Temple & Foye Books on Instagram (@templefoye) for book updates.
