interview with an illustrator
Sholto Walker
Bicycle enthusiast Sholto
Walker talks of wheel
building, Otto Dix and
medieval England. . . .
u SB Where are you from originally? Sholto: Southend-on-Sea in
Essex, England. u SB Where do you live now and what drew you
there? Sholto: I live near Bath in Somerset. It was the quality of
the countryside. I’m from South East Essex so until I moved here,
‘countryside’ meant places to build supermarkets and ‘executive
homes’ on. u SB Do you have any formal design training? Sholto:
I have an Honours Degree in Fine Art from Cheltenham where I
specialised in painting. u SB Where is your studio and can you
describe it for me? Sholto: In our garden under an apple tree.
It’s old and made of stone. Sometimes the roof leaks. Inside
it’s slightly chaotic, but does the job. u SB Who is your biggest
inspiration? Sholto: My seven-year-old son Louis who frequently
sends me scampering to my notebook. u SB How do you get
your ideas? Sholto: Thinking, thinking. Always thinking. u SB
What are your interests outside of illustration? Sholto: Racing,
riding and maintaining bicycles. Painting. u SB Tell us about a
favourite project you’ve recently completed. Sholto: I have just
finished illustrating a great story about a tiger who one morning
appears in the garden of two young children. u SB What would
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