self-portrait © James Mayhew
We’re delighted to have James Mayhew as the second guest in ACHUKA’s new Meet An Illustrator feature, which launched last week with Jim Field.
This year we can look forward to:
- Gaspard’s Foxtrot written by Zeb Soanes illustrated by James Mayhew
Publishing with Graffeg UK March 2021
- Mouse and Mole 6: the Secret of Happiness written by Joyce Dunbar illustrated by James Mayhew
Publishing with Graffeg May 2021
- Once Upon A Tune, Stories From The Orchestra by James Mayhew
Publishing with Otter-Barry Books Sep 2021
As a child, what were the first illustrations you remember being pleased with?
By myself? A painting of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, when I was about 7!
Who/what inspired you when you were young?
A book called “Art Treasures of the World” – it directly inspired my first book, Katie’s Picture Show. But I also loved book illustrators: Edward Ardizzone, Maurice Sendak, the Johnston sisters, Ronald Searle,Tove Jansson, Errol le Cain, Brian Wildsmith, John Burningham… these are the illustrators I grew up with.
Who inspires you today?
So many… I’m still inspired by older illustrators: Edmund Dulac, Roger Duvoisin, John Minton, Edward Bawden… Amongst my contemporaries, I greatly admire Angela Barrett, Jackie Morris, Sarah Massini, Ehsan Abdollahi, Benji Davies, Sarah McIntyre, P J Lynch, Komoko Sakai, Emily Sutton…(I could go on!)
Did you study art or illustration? If so, where?
Yes, first in Lowestoft (Foundation Course), then Maidstone (Illustration BA)
What is your favourite artist tool/product?
I have two. First is a dip-pen – I love using pen and ink. Second is a pair of Moomin scissors, gifted to me by Clara Vulliamy, which I use for my collage work..
Where do you buy your art supplies?
The Art Trading Company in Bungay, Suffolk. Happily the Waveney Valley is full of artists, so this tiny town manages to have a fantastic art shop.
What software/apps do you use?
None.
What was your first commission?
The front cover of Nell Dunn’s novel “Up The Junction” for Virago Press
What are you working on at the moment?
Book 6 in the Mouse and Mole series
Twitter or Instagram? Twitter
Coffee or tea? Neither – hot water and lemon
Cat or dog? Dog
Grape or grain? Grape
Sunrise or sunset? Sunrise
What do you listen to when you are working?
Podcasts; ABBA; Classical music; Opera. Today it is Rimsky-Korsakov’s opera “The Snowmaiden”
Where can we follow you on social media?
@mrjamesmayhew on Twitter
@mrjamesmayhew on Instagram
Facebook – James Mayhew – Author & illustrator
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