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| Penelope Pratley |
Tell us what sort of a child you were. Did art play a big part in your growing up?
I was a creative child who loved crafting, painting and living in my own little muddle. My Mum was forever picking up after me (which, of course, annoyed me dreadfully because I truly did know where things were — well, most of the time). My report from Prep in ‘Creative Activities’ says, “
She loves to cut, draw, and paste and generally ‘create’ things. Penny also does some lovely paintings”. Nothing has really changed since.
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| Week 44 2017: Delicious |
Why do you make art now?
Because it is what I should have always been doing; sometimes it takes a while to grow into who you were as a child.
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| Week 7 2017: Botanical |
Have you formally trained as an artist or illustrator? Describe your art background/journey:
I have always drawn and painted. Art classes were always my favourite throughout primary school, and I remember those lessons very clearly. I have always enjoyed creative work and making little gifts for others.
I studied Art in high school and attended University of Tasmania, Tasmanian College of the Arts, where I learnt about photography, graphic design, and cinema. I also studied painting but soon discovered this course was more about self discovery than formally being taught the skills and techniques I desired. We were given a lot of open-ended projects with no set parameters when I hoped to be taught a more traditional curriculum focusing on how to use different mediums and their application.
I then went on to study teaching. After teaching Art (yr6 – 12) for a few years, I left professional life to start a family. As a stay at home Mum my husband encouraged me to follow the path closest to my heart. It took me a few years to conquer all the doubting voices still crowding in my head and heart, but here I am. I have found an incredibly supportive network through the 52 Week Challenge, and as a result, I have illustrated my debut picture book, written by Penny Harrison, to be published by EK Books in February 2018. I have also returned to teaching a few students and small art groups during the week for children aged from 4 – 14 years.
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| Week 9 2017: Baking |
Do you have a favourite medium or subject matter?
I adore watercolour, ink, and coloured pencil. But I also love painting with acrylic on canvas.
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| Week 45 2016: Zebra |
Describe your artistic process, from ‘no idea’ to ‘finished artwork’:
I’m not generally one who agonises over composition or colour; I tend to start with what ever pops into my head. It’s a magical process that I don’t understand, and yet it all comes together in the end. I always do a very rough construction drawing, which is then refined. I then redraw my outlines, either with watercolour pencil or fineliner, ready to add colour. I always get such a buzz when I first sketch an image and I know it will work.
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| Week 11 2016: Mother |
How do you fit your creative work in with a busy family life? Do you have a routine?
I wish I had more of a routine — sigh. I have had to learn to be organised or else I will bounce from one thing to the next. I am the queen of self-distraction. If I’m working on lots of creative projects, my house looks very neglected and I often forget to grocery shop (thankfully none of the people I live with seem to be bothered by this fact, and they all do get fed and their clothes are washed). At the end of a project I will be driven, by some wild instinct of nature, to clean like a crazed thing before the next creative wave hits.
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| Week 50 2016:Festival |
Where is your favourite place to create and illustrate?
My studio — it’s a little haven of bliss.
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| Penelope's Studio |
What impact has the Challenge had on your creative journey?
Only the biggest impact imaginable! It has helped me focus, refine, and discover who I am as an illustrator and, more importantly, helped me to find a group of the most wonderful supportive friends whom I greatly respect and hold close to my heart.
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| Penelope's first Challenge illustration, Week 1 2016: Fancy Dress |
Do you have illustrators or artists who give you inspiration?
I adore so many picture book illustrators, past and present — too many to list, really. Suffice to say, if I walk into a bookshop, often I am looking for books by illustrators I love (regardless of the author), and our book shelves are overflowing.
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| Platypus |
What are you currently working on and what will we see next from you?
I am currently working on a number of commissioned portraits and logo designs while refining my illustration portfolio. I am also refining several story ideas, which I plan to storyboard and submit to publishers.
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| Week 41 2016: Island |
Do you have a dream creative project you'd love to be able to do?
My dream creative project would be to have a story that I have written and illustrated published, and then another, and another, and another. . .
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| Week 52 2016: Reflection |
Tell us something that we don’t know about you:
Well, most of you know I love chocolate freckles ... and it’s logical to have an immense dislike of cockroaches. Oh, I know — I never received my pen licence at school, and I've just been made a member of the
Kids Book Review team, so now I have a reason to spend even more time with my nose in a book.
Follow Penelope online:
Website:
www.penelopesnest.com
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/out.of.the.nest
Instagram:
www.instagram.com/penelopesnest
Blog:
penelopesnest.blogspot.com.au
