self-portrait © Jenny Løvlie
We welcome our seventh guest to ACHUKA’s Meet An Illustrator slot—Jenny Løvlie.
All previous features in this series are being archived week by week on this page:
https://www.achuka.co.uk/blog/meet-an-illustrator/
Now based in Cardiff, Jenny grew up in northern Norway, in Ekkerøy, a tiny village with a population of under 50 and where she was the first child to be born in 12 years. She spent most of her summers outdoors under the endless sun, climbing rocks, watching the seagull-chicks hatching, rock-pooling and sketching.
Jenny won the Waterstones Children’s book prize for Best Illustrated Book for The Girls, written by Lauren Ace in 2019.
A companion title, The Boys, is coming this April (see below). Meanwhile, she has been busy as the illustrator for the ‘Kitty’ books by Paula Harrison.
New books on the horizon:
- March: Agnes’s Place written by Marit Larsen, Amazon Publishing
- April: The Boys, written by Lauren Ace, Little Tiger
- May: Kitty and the Kidnap Trap, written by Paula Harrison, Oxford University Press
- July: The Wide, Wide Sea, written by Anna Wilson, Nosy Crow
- September TBC: A Dress With Pockets, Written by Lily Murray, Macmillan
- September: Time to Move South for Winter, Written by Clare Helen Walsh, Nosy Crow
As a child, what were the first illustrations you remember being pleased with?
I can’t think of a specific drawing, but I loved drawing all kinds of animals. I loved playing on the page, making up stories as I went along.
Who/what inspired you when you were young?
I was inspired by nature, animals and books. My dad would read aloud to me for hours while I drew!
Who inspires you today?
I’m inspired by the people around me, other creatives, the Arctic landscape, Scandinavian design, nature, animals, vintage toys, music, films and books and so much more.
I love the research part of a project!
Did you study art or illustration? If so, where?
Yes! I studied Illustration and Animation at Kingston University, London
What is your favourite artist tool/product?
My Wacom Cintiq paired with Photoshop
Where do you buy your art supplies?
The Pen and Paper here in Cardiff
What software/apps do you use?
Photoshop and Procreate
What was your first commission?
I was commissioned to create chapter headings for Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea by Random House, Vintage Classics when I was in my second year of uni.
This project sent me on my way down the children’s publishing route!
What are you working on at the moment?
I’m working on three picture books coming out later this year, the ongoing Kitty series with Oxford University Press and I’ve started doing some writing of my own!
Twitter or Instagram? Instagram.
Coffee or tea? Coffee.
Cat or dog? Both! Though my current pet is a rather reserved Russian Dwarf hamster called Norman.
Grape or grain? Grape in the winter, grain in the summer!
Sunrise or sunset? Midnight sun!
What do you listen to when you are working? It depends where I am in the process, for planning and thinking I listen to instrumental music, rain or waves. When I’m colouring I listen to audiobooks and podcasts.
Where can we follow you on social media?
On Instagram @Lovlieillustration
On Twitter @Jenny Løvlie
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