interview with an illustrator
Alexandra Ball
Grandad's trunk,
natu re, clim bing
trees, animals, making
dens and an idyllic
childhood . . .
u SB What drew you to illustration? Alexandra: It all started
at the age of two when I drew a picture of a chicken laying
an egg (I have it in a frame by my desk). I have been drawing
and writing stories ever since. u SB Do you have any formal
training? Alexandra: I did a BA (Hons) in Illustration at Falmouth
College of Arts in Cornwall. u SB Where are you from originally?
Alexandra: I grew up on a farm in a small Hampshire village
where I had an idyllic childhood with my older brother, running
around fields, making dens and climbing trees. u SB Where
do you live now? Alexandra: The bright lights of London drew
me in four years ago, but I recently moved a little way out to
Surrey to stretch my legs. u SB What is your biggest inspiration?
Alexandra: My childhood and nature. u SB How do you get
your ideas? Alexandra: Generally at night when I’m trying to
get to sleep. An idea will pop into my head and I have to get
up and sketch it before I forget. u SB Do you collect anything?
Alexandra: I collect nice textures and patterns which I scan
and use in my illustrations. u SB Do you keep a scrapbook?
Alexandra: My grandad’s old trunk, full of patterned paper, is
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