Showcasing Illustrator and friend, Owen Swan.

   

 

Today I thought I’d begin showcasing some of the wonderful illustrators I’ve had the privilege of working with on picture books we’ve created together.

Starting at my most recent publication (December 2020) One Lone Swallow, Published by New Frontier Publishing UK and Australia and illustrated by the superbly talented Owen Swan.

I’ve been fortunate enough to work with Owen on three books now, the first My Friend Tertius, published by Allen and Unwin in 2017, then Scruffle-Nut, published by New Frontier Publishing UK and Australia in October 2019.

Working on My Friend Tertius was a joy for us both as we loved the characters, Arthur Cooper and his beloved gibbon, Tertius so much. It’s such a joy when the illustrator cares about the story and characters as much as you do. On launch day, rather than fly down from Sydney’s Blue Mountains where he lives, Owen caught the overnight train, his way of honouring Arthur Cooper and Tertius and their travels, particularly on the Transcontinental Railway from Perth to Melbourne when in 1942 they needed to change trains three times.

I’m fortunate enough to have a framed original piece of artwork from this book, which I shall always treasure.

In October 2019 before the wider world had heard of a thing called Covid, Owen and I were fortunate, with New Frontier Publishing, to launch Scruffle-Nut at Nomad Books at Fulham in London. It was a very special thing to do and I’m so glad we did it. The illustration of Central Park still takes my breath away as it did when I first saw it.

Following the launch, Owen flew to Florence to sketch and do further research for One Lone Swallow. I believe that this visit enabled him to capture the true essence of that beautiful city and it shines through in his stunning illustrations.

Of course Owen has illustrated many other wonderful books. Take a look at his website which highlights many of them and the way he works.

https://www.owenswan.com/picture-books