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Talented ECA illustration alumni Holly Sterling has been going from strength to strength since her graduation in 2013. She has illustrated two published picture books to date; Nativity Story and 15 Things Not To Do With A Baby, written by Margaret McAllister and published by Francis Lincoln. Her beautiful illustrations for the latter of these books has resulted in her being nominated for the 2016 CILIP Kate Greenaway award.
Hardworking Holly has a further six books set to be published next year. In addition to her illustration work, Holly frequently visits schools to hold drawing events and workshops, as well as giving talks to art college students.
A huge congratulations to 2013 Alumni Maisie Shearring, winner of the 7th edition of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair – Fundación SM International Award for Illustration.
Maisie was selected from more than 3000 participants from 70 countries, while the judges examined over with 15 thousand works. As the winner, Maisie will be given the task of illustrating a book to be published by the SM Group. The book will be presented at the 2016 edition of the Fair, where Maisie Shearring is also due to hold a personal exhibition of her work. The Bologna Award for Children’s Book Illustration is a highly prestigious prize and an incredible and well deserved achievement.
After studying undergraduate Illustration here with us at Edinburgh College of Art, Maisie underwent an MA in Children’s Book Illustrationat Cambridge School of Art. She has thrived throughout her academic career with her strong sense of style, engaging characters and unique talent for storytelling. In October 2014 Maisie was also selected to be part of the Picturehooks Scheme, with personal mentor Nick Sharratt. We are eagerly awaiting the exhibition of her Picture Hooks work in the National Gallery of Scotland, November 2015 .
The Bologna International Award for Illustration is a fantastic initiative with the aim of encouraging and supporting new talent by bringing the work of young illustrators to the attention of the publishing sector. The panel of Bologna Judges noted that “This young artist has huge potential to evolve and to develop an original voice within the current panorama of illustration”. We couldn’t agree more and cannot wait to see Maisie go from strength to strength in her Illustration Career.
This month, the Edinburgh College of Art Illustration Department is pleased to present Escapade, a collection of works created by students, staff and notable alumni exhibited at the Doubtfire Gallery. We are excited to share our experience of what Illustration means to us as individuals and as a collective.
One of the most exciting aspects of Illustration is the wide-range of media where work can make an impact. The ECA Illustration Programme drives its students to apply their talent across a diverse range of end channels, from books and exhibitions to packaging, digital media and community arts. It is a dynamic and fast paced discipline that pushes the limits of both the artist’s and the viewer’s imagination.
Guided by acclaimed Illustrator and Programme Director Jonathon Gibbs, the course has thrived from its collaborative studio culture. During their time at ECA, students undergo countless tutorials, workshops and critics from the Illustration staff, their peers and successful practitioners, many of whom previously studied at ECA. The exhibition includes works from across all stages of the Illustration Programme’s creative community, from developing fourth year talents and fresh new graduates to the distinguished staff and alumni who inspired them.
All exhibiting Illustrators are currently living and creating work in the city of Edinburgh. Their collection of Illustrations offers a wide variety of themes, techniques and styles, all in celebration of their connection with Edinburgh College of Art.
Make sure to check Escapade out between 11th April – 2nd May. Find more information at the link below:
For this weeks Professional Practice Lecture we will be joined by Freelance Illustrators and ECA Artists in Residents, Sorcha Fitzgerald and Jessica Kettle.
Sorcha is a recent alumni of the undergraduate course and has had a lot of success both during her time on the course and in her graduate practice. Sorcha uses printmaking, collage and a strong sense of narrative within her work, most notably in herself authored picture book, Wolf Girl. She also works in ceramics and set design, pushing the boundaries of her illustration practice.
Jessica is a graduate of the MFA course, after studying a BA in Music at York University. In 2012 Jessica was awarded the Langwith Scott Award for individual creativity for ‘The Little Girl Who Dreamt in Colour’, a picture book for children with an accompanying soundtrack. Jessica continues to work in print and children’s book illustration including stories such as ‘Bella’ created in partnership with The Leprosy Mission Scotland.
We look forward to hearing their words of wisdom about surviving art school and succeeding in the creative and chaotic world of freelance illustration.
In the ECA Illustration Department we are kicking of the week with two new mini exhibitions. The Illustration studio is now home to ‘Bright and Early’ and ‘Boxes’, both collated from different projects completed by students of the Illustration Department in the past ten years. The Illustration Archive of past work is an excellent resource for research and inspiration, we look forward to finding new and exciting ways of sharing archival with our current students.
