Natalie Chivers
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Natalie gained a First in Illustration from the University of Plymouth and now lives in Farnham, Surrey with her fiancé. She was shortlisted for the 2006 Booktrust Early Years Award for Best New Illustrator. Natalie works in PR and advertising for a food and cake decoration company. When not working or illustrating children’s books, she enjoys running and indulging her love of nature and natural history. RHINO’S GREAT BIG ITCH! is her first book for Little Tiger Press. |
As your ‘day job’ is in PR, what made you decide to pursue a career writing and illustrating children’s books?
It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do, even as a child. I used to make little books for my family and would draw all over my school work – my poor friends and family must have box-loads of pictures and cards I have made them over the years! I remember the books of my childhood that I would pore over, all the gorgeous pictures and words that took me to another place, and I knew that was what I wanted to do. I studied art at college and university as a result, and my current role in PR came about quite naturally from a love of creative writing.
How do you manage to fit your creative work around a full-time job?
When I was working on RHINO’S GREAT BIG ITCH! I used the evenings and weekends, painting in the very glamorous setting of my kitchen! It also helps that my other half is very understanding, as well as my bosses in my full-time job.
When you are working on a book, what comes first: the words or the pictures?
I like to draw lots and lots at first, maybe with a word or theme in my mind as I go. I try not to think too hard about it at that stage, just letting everything come out, even if it looks completely mad. Then I picture how it would look on a page and how those pages would flow together, like movie stills. |
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What medium do you use to create your illustrations?
At first, a black Biro for all the planning work. When everything is in place, thickly applied acrylic is my favourite – not very sophisticated materials really!
Your first book was shortlisted for Booktrust’s Early Years Awards. How did it feel to be recognised as a rising star so early on in your career?
I was very surprised, and of course very pleased. Doing my first book was daunting, working out how to fit it all around my day job and finding a style that translated in a book. I learned a lot from the experience and it encouraged me to keep illustrating.
What is the best thing about writing and illustrating for children?
Watching them engage with and feel the emotions of a character you have created. Children are so responsive and open to ideas.
Are there any other authors and illustrators you particularly admire or find inspirational?
There are so many. I try not to go into the children’s department of bookshops any more because it makes me think ‘How on earth can I compete with that?’. In particular, I love Mini Grey’s ideas, Sara Fanelli’s use of mixed media and Oliver Jeffers’ adventurous use of each page.
Have you made a New Year’s resolution for the year ahead?
Yes, to make even more to-do lists, and to curb my online shopping…
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