to be an author/illustrator?
I think it was always something I wanted to do as a child. I clearly remember having a day in primary school when we had to come dressed up as what we'd like to be when we grew up and I came as a children's book writer and illustrator! I then drifted away from that idea. More on this in the next answer!
What is your educational and writing background?
I studied drama at university. Through drama I got into set design because I had always loved visual arts and there was always someone needed to do the backdrops! In my early twenties, I got a studio at Metro Arts in Brisbane. My neighbours at Metro Arts would put on exhibitions and ask me to contribute something. From there, I got back into illustration which I hadn't really done in earnest since I was a child (when I was an obsessive drawer). Going even further back, I wrote and illustrated my first book in Grade Two. It was called "Shebel the Modern Witch". This witch was so modern that she rode on a vacuum cleaner rather than a broom. I clearly remember going into State Library to receive a prize for that book. It was presented by Colin Thiele which was a big thrill.
Congratulations on receiving 'The Crichton Award' for your picture book ' 2 Comments on Interview with Children's Author/Illustrator Clare McFadden, last added: 8/26/2011
I love this line: Children feel everything so deeply...
It' so true! I really enjoyed this interview!
Carla
Hi Carla,
Clare has expressed it beautifully, Children do feel everything so deeply.
Thanks for your lovely comments and for following my blog.
Renee