I find going on a little trip somewhere always helps to reset and inspire me
What illustrated children's books did you love?
I always loved reading Beatrix Potter's stories, the way the characters lived in their own little worlds in the really captured my imagination when I was a child. I also enjoyed The Town Mouse and The Country Mouse - I liked the idea of swapping my life in the Devon countryside for one in a big town/city!
The Secret Garden was also a strong favourite, imagining getting lost in that lovely walled garden.
Who was your favourite illustrator?
Quentin Blake’s illustrations always brought Roald Dahl’s eccentric characters to life! I would read Roald Dahl's stories again and again.
Was there someone you looked up to in your family who was also an artist? Who or what inspired you to become an artist/illustrator?
My great granny was a watercolour artist, she was always so encouraging when it came to drawing when I was a child and was so supportive of my creative career.
Tell us one thing from your childhood bedroom that you treasured...
My grandad was a builder and created this lovely doll’s house with lots of spacious rooms and even a conservatory! I loved decorating it with miniature artworks and making tiny soft furnishings for it before the Sylvanian family animals moved in.
What are three things you cannot live without an an illustrator?
My watercolour and gouache paints, the iPad and of course the Wacom tablet.
When or where do you feel most creative?
I find going on a little trip somewhere always helps to reset and inspire me, whether that’s travelling or to an exhibition or even going for a walk and observing different flower/plant shapes.
How does your working process usually start?
I like to start with gathering ideas and researching before sketching out the layout and pace of the prints and finally pulling it all together digitally, whether that’s scanning in painted pieces or adjusting digitally drawn elements.
Talk us through your inspirations for 'Paper-cut Animals'.
We wanted to create a gender neutral print that celebrated the diversity of animals, whilst keeping the illustrations quite minimal with the paper-cut style. I really like that the print is versatile enough to be appreciated by all genders.
What is your favourite piece from your MiNiBEAU collection and why?
My favourite piece would have to be ‘Utopia Menagerie’, which was inspired by a visit to the collection of Indian textiles at the V&A, with their beautiful chintz prints and detailed floral embroidery. I wanted to create something detailed and beautiful that people could get lost in, with an unusual combination of animals hiding in between the vines and foliage.