I'm reeeally excited to welcome the enormously talented Catalina Echeverri to POP! Catalina is a super-exciting illustrator - definitely one to watch!
Now, as well as asking Catalina to partake in our interview, I also wanted to introduce you to Pierre, the dashingly charming dinosaur who stars in There's a Dinosaur In My Bathtub:
He's great, isn't he?!
Big thanks to Catalina for making time to answer our questions:
When did you first realise that you wanted to be a children's illustrator?
Ever since I was very tiny I've loved drawing everywhere. As long as I had a pencil in my hand and a paper to draw on I was a happy girl. But although I loved drawing I didn't know that I could actually do it for a living. Then I went to study graphic design in Italy and while studying, I started to help out with Sunday School doing some drawings for the children's songs. I enjoyed it sooooo much! That's when it all sort of clicked. I realised that's what I wanted to do. I wanted to become a children's illustrator. I researched if there was a Masters I could do on the subject and it turned out there was. One year later I was packing up my bags to come to the UK and study in the ARU in Cambridge.
What is your favourite part of creating a book?
I really enjoy all of the process but one of my favourite parts is the moment when you come up with the idea for a new book, or a new character. It's very exciting because there are so many possibilities of where that story can go or what the character can do. I really enjoy that initial freedom of the process.
How do you feel when you receive final copies of your books?
Excited, wordless and very thankful!
Do you work on other illustration projects as well as your own picture books?
Yes I like to work in different projects at the same time. I find that keeps me on my toes and my creativity increases if I work on different things at the same time.
Where do your ideas come from?
Everywhere! It can be something someone says on the tube or something I see on my way to the studio. They are always arriving unexpectedly. This is why I always carry a little sketchbook along with me.
Are there certain authors or illustrators who you find inspiring?
Definitely! There's many I like but some of my favourites are Oliver Jeffers, Quentin Blake, Benjamin Chaud and David Roberts.
What are your views on the picture book market right now?
I think it's a very exciting time for working in picture books. I think children's books are experiencing a high interest at the moment and it's becoming something more and more people want to get involved in. Also globalisation is making it possible to share experiences and work with people around the world and I think that enriches the picture book format.
If there was one thing you could change in the world of picture books, what would it be?
I wish that more books were made in Latin America and that there would be more publishers flourishing there. Especially in Colombia. We have a very rich culture and I think this would translate into beautiful picture books.
Describe yourself in two words
Professional
Curious : )
And if you want to see more from Catalina then have a look-see at her Folksy shop - it's FILLED with wonderful things!
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