Describe your illustration style in ten words or less.
Whimsical, textured, fun, pink and flowery.
What items are an essential part of your creative space?
Lots of natural light, inspiring art, crystals and enough desk space to get creative.
Do you have a favourite artistic medium?
It depends on the day and week. I work digitally 99% of the time and the rest varies on the inspiration. Right now it’s watercolours and oil pastels.
Name three artists whose work inspires you.
Riley Sheehey
Felicity Buchanan Designs
Jenna Oldaker
Which artistic period would you most like to visit and why?
Ancient Egypt, I’d love to walk through the pyramids at the height of their construction. To see their artworks in their original pigments and sculptures that have been lost to time. This obsession started with a Where’s Wally magazine and hasn’t left me since.
Who or what inspired you to become an illustrator?
Imagination and creativity have always been a part of who I am, drawing was a way for me to visually communicate what goes on in my head and how I see the world. Sometimes it’s about how I wanted to see the world too. I love finding ways to interpret life through my illustrations and that keeps me motivated and inspired.
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’d love to say I work from an aesthetically designed studio but it’s a bedroom turned office, that I am incredibly fortunate to make use of! When I’m not working on the big screen (my computer) writing or designing I'm using my medium screen (my iPad) on my couch. I’m cautious as I get older that my back is a priority but nothing beats the comfortable creativity from a pillowy throne. I did it throughout high school and I seem to find my zen there.
What is your favourite part of the illustration process?
Following the thread of inspiration, often I end up in unexpected places and I love that. I often see the idea or image in my mind of what I want to create and then it’s a winding but fun journey to the finished design. I think I have my style but I often stretch that to different ends of the spectrum using a mixture of brushes, mediums, papers and textures.
What advice would you give to an aspiring illustrator?
Give yourself time to play, some of my best work has been when I’m having the most fun. I know this can be tricky when you want your work to be a career or to provide you financial compensation but if you can detach yourself from the outcome just for a bit you might find yourself in the elusive ‘zone of genius’ as some people describe it. Then you never quite know where that work will end up, I could not have predicted a Christmas-themed children’s book I wrote and illustrated would be turned into a seasonal art trail of five murals. I had fun with the book, which shined through for others to see the potential.
Liv is an Australian children's book author and illustrator. She crafts thoughtful and vibrant stories while spreading messages of hope and joy through storytelling. When not immersed in illustrating on Dharawal land, she can be found exploring gardens, finishing a good puzzle and drinking her third cup of tea.
For more information, please visit Liv's website or follow her on instagram.