Scrapbook Notebook Series Scrapbook #3 | Page 58

interview with an illustrator Katharine Asher Inspired by all things natu ral from Samba to snake skin, she invites us into her prolific creative world. . . . u SB Personal highlight of the year? Katharine: Playing percussion in the London Festival Carnival Procession as part of Bloco do Sol Nascente. u SB What drew you to illustration/ design? Katharine: I was brought up on a farm on Dartmoor. I used creative play to fill the social void and now I make a living from my favourite past time, how lucky am I!! u SB Do you have any formal design training? Katharine: Diploma in Graphic Design; Torbay College of Art & Design, LSIAD in Illustration; Harrow College of Art / London, BA Hons degree in Fine Art; UWE Bristol - specialising in sculpture. u SB Where do you live now & what drew you there? Katharine: I live in Bristol, I left London when I married my ex husband who worked at the Natural History Unit for BBC Bristol. u SB Where is your studio and can you describe it for me? Katharine: My studio is in the original stable block belonging to my house. It’s two storeys high and I work in the converted hayloft, sharing the building with three other businesses. u SB How do you get your ideas? Katharine: The commission is the inspiration for each job. u SB Do you collect anything? Katharine: I’ve always collected bones 169