We had a family friend who was a successful painter, so luckily I knew that it was possible to do the thing you love most – and get paid for it!
Art was my favourite lesson all the way through school, so it was the most natural thing to then go into Art College. What a joy to be able to draw and paint all day long!
And that’s what I’ve been doing ever since.
I live in Stoke Newington in London and cycle in each day to my studio near the centre which I share with other illustrators, painters and animators. Lots of illustrators work on their own at home but I love being around other creative people.
I love travelling. I’ve been to India, Kenya, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, Nepal. There are so many new things to look at when you’re away. And I spend as much time as I can visiting friends and relatives in Germany, Spain and Italy.
Quite often I’ll be walking in the mountains, camping or
canoeing as I enjoy being outdoors.
I love being in London too. There’s so much to see and do and it’s a city which is so full of surprises and you can meet lots of interesting people.
I don’t only illustrate children’s books – my work can be found on packaging, and in magazines and newspapers too – in fact, anything that requires something done in my style of splashy water colour.
It’s a good feeling knowing that I’m doing what I always thought must be one of the best jobs around – being an illustrator!
Karin has illustrated the following books:
The Lonely Whale David Bennett (David Bennett Books, 1991)
Gemma and the Broody Hen Antonia Barber (ABC, 1992)
How Does it Feel Norbert Landa (ABC, 1993)
The Birthday Party Althea Littlewood (A & C Black, 1993)
Alone at Home Althea Littlewood (A & C Black, 1993)
Billy’s Sunflower Nicola Moon (Scholastic, 1997)
Sun Slices, Moon Slices Adele Geras (Scholastic, 1998)
Splosh! Mike Jubb (Scholastic, 1998)
Ellie and the Butterfly Kitten Gillian Lobel (Orchard, 2000). Short-listed Children’s Book Award 2000.
Mama’s Little Baby Kate Banks (Dorling Kindersley, 2001)
Swallow Journey Vivian French (Zero to Ten, 2001). Nominated for Kate Greenaway Medal 2001.
Chanda and the Mirror of Moonlight Margaret Bateson Hill (Zero to Ten, 2001). Short-listed English Association 4 – 11 Book Awards 2002. Nominated Best of the Rest, Kate Greenaway 2002.
I Say a Little Prayer for You Song lyric (The Chicken House, 2002)
The Colour of Home Mary Hoffman (Frances Lincoln, 2002). National Literacy Association Wow Award 2003. Short-listed Stockport Mad About Books Award 2003.
Baba’s Gift Beverley and Maya Naidoo (Puffin, 2004)
Home for Christmas Sally Grindley (Frances Lincoln, 2004)
Tara’s Tree House Helen Dunmore (Egmont, 2004)
Her work has been published in the USA, Sweden, the
Netherlands, Denmark, Spain and Australia, as well as Britain.
Karin will be coming to Bristol on 15 February to run some
illustration workshops during the February half-term as part of this project. Details will be on the Events and Competitions page.
Karin's studio
