Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.
Quiet, whimsical, hopeful.
What items are an essential part of your creative space?
Daylight, small wooden owl, coffee and my paints. :)
Do you have a favourite artistic medium?
At the moment I am enjoying exploring mono printing! The process brings surprising textures and marks.
Name three artists whose work inspires you.
Japanese label Minä Perhonen: founded over 20 years ago by the designer Akira Minagawa. A producer of clothing and textiles which are so beautiful in their design, colour and imagery.
Hayao Miyazaki : a Japanese animator, director, producer, screenwriter, author, manga artist - the director of Totoro.
Tove Jansson: author, novelist, painter. Creator of one of my favourite books Comet in Moominland.
Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?
I would like to visit the Victorian era and see the dollhouses made for children during that time complete with wallpaper and miniature light furnishings! Growing up, I had a special doll’s house made for me by my grandfather. I used to make couches from match boxes and cover them with fine floral corduroy. Doll houses hold a special place in my heart.
I would like to visit the Victorian era and see the dollhouses made for children during that time complete with wallpaper and miniature light furnishings! Growing up, I had a special doll’s house made for me by my grandfather. I used to make couches from match boxes and cover them with fine floral corduroy. Doll houses hold a special place in my heart.
Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?
Fairy tales. I was enchanted by the tiny creatures that lived in the pages of the books I looked at as a child. When I was around four years old, I remember thinking this is what I want to do when I grow up.
Can you share a photo of your creative work space or part of the area where you work most often? Talk us through it.
I am lucky to be in a beautiful studio space shared with friends. While we work we can often hear musicians practising or in summer we can hear the sheep at Collingwood Children’s Farm.
I am lucky to be in a beautiful studio space shared with friends. While we work we can often hear musicians practising or in summer we can hear the sheep at Collingwood Children’s Farm.
What is your favourite part of the illustration process?
Mixing a palette of colours and painting.
What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?
Draw, paint, visit exhibitions, try new things, be brave. Persist. Know that you will doubt yourself - listen, but keep going!
Anna Walker is an award-winning illustrator and author of many picture books for children published around the world. Her books include Florette, which was a New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Book. Anna creates illustrations with watercolour, pencil, and collage. Her stories are inspired by the quiet and sometimes joyful details of life. She lives and works in Melbourne.
