Jackie Morris
About Author
Jackie lives in west Wales with her two children, five dogs and four cats and makes a living by drawing, colouring in ... and dreaming. She enjoys walking, swimming in the sea and reading, especially children's books.
She went to art college, first in Hereford and then in Bath. After moving to London it soon became very obvious to Jackie that city life did not suit her. She moved back to Bath to work on magazine illustrations and greeting card designs, and in 1992 was commissioned to do her first picture book, Jo's Storm, by Caroline Pitcher.
Jackie is probably best known for her illustrations of Ted Hughes' Why the Whale Became. Her picture books are also highly acclaimed. The Seal Children, the first book she has both written and illustrated, has been shortlisted for the Welsh Book Council's Tir na-n-Og Awards 2005: Best English Language Books category.
Jackie's paintings have been exhibited in Bath, Hereford, London and throughout Australia.
Jackie is very popular at festivals and in schools. She is inspiring and quite remarkable in the way she can paint and talk about her work at the same time. She has also produced a power point presentation which shows her influences, research and techniques.
Author link
www.jackiemorris.co.uk; www.lordoftheforest.co.uk
Interview
WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO BE AN ILLUSTRATOR?
From the age of six I wanted to be an artist. At school I used to get into trouble for drawing and dreaming, and now I get paid to do both.
WHICH LESSONS DID YOU ENJOY AT SCHOOL?
My favorite subject at school, apart from art, was history, because I love stories, and history contains a wealth of stories.
WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR IDEAS?
Sometimes I find them when I am out walking, sometimes in the things people say, sometimes I read something and it sparks off a whole train of thought. I keep a small notebook that I try to take with me everywhere and write ideas in there.
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU SPEND WORKING ON YOUR BOOKS?
Most of my time is spent painting and writing, and while I paint I listen to the radio or to music.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE DOING BEST?
I love words, lists of things, paint and colours. Writing and storytelling are both about asking questions and trying to find the answers. Children are much better at using their imagination; grown-ups get bogged down in shopping lists and washing up. And the imagination is a muscle, like any other, that needs to be exercised to keep it fit.
I love walking and watching, stories and magic, painting and dreaming, rowing and flying kites, swimming in the sea, and many other things.
