Artist Interview: Jill Calder

Jill Calder has leant her unique dream-like style to countless projects with clients around the world. Here we find out where it all started and what she’s working on right now.

Jill Calder is an award winning illustrator and calligrapher who loves drawing, ideas, colour, ink, typography, stories, books, dogs and, apparently, deadlines! She blends traditional and digital image-making methods as seamlessly as possible resulting in whimsical illustrations with broad appeal. As a result, her work has been commissioned for children’s picture books, hospital murals, financial and scientific reports, as well as branding for Scottish beer and whisky.

Jill studied at Edinburgh College of Art and later at Glasgow School of Art, graduating in 1992. Through her work, she has been invited to talk at various events and conferences and teach at schools and universities throughout the UK, USA and Hong Kong. Her work has been displayed at the V&A Museum, The National Museum of Scotland, The Royal Brompton Hospital and The Royal Scottish Academy.

Recently, Jill's work was on show around the world in Drawing Words, an exhibition of ten British children’s book illustrators curated by Lauren Child and organised by the British Council. As part of the tour, Jill was invited to Pakistan and Sri Lanka to open the exhibition and hold workshops, masterclasses and storytelling sessions in the British Council Libraries there.

Set the scene for us Jill, tell us a bit about your studio space

I have a good size studio but it is rammed with stuff…I have been an illustrator for over 30 years, so the work does mount up…and all the books, magazines and bits and bobs I surround myself with. I sit at the desk I studied at for my school exams and which belonged to my Dad. I love it. But if I could relocate for a wee while it would be anywhere in Spain, possibly Cadiz, Valencia or Mallorca, it’s all good.

Where did it all start for you? At what point did it become obvious that you would be an artist?

I don’t come from an artistic family, although it’s handy having a doctor and a lawyer kicking around! But I had lovely art teachers at school. I was driven and ambitious too and had a bit of a one track mind when it came to being an illustrator…it was the only thing I wanted to do! Along the way, there were wonderful designers and art directors who took a chance on me when I was starting out, saw my potential and helped my career get going. I still meet people who take a chance on me, and commission me to illustrate projects where my style of work might not be the obvious choice but it works and is all the richer for it! I’ve illustrated a surfboard for Billabong, a whisky bottle for Eden Mill, years ago I did the branding for a snail farm. I’d like to thank Jonny Gibbs (also a CIA artist) who was my tutor then my boss at Edinburgh College of Art and also a wonderful tutor on my Foundation Course in Carlisle who told me to go and be an illustrator because I’ve not looked back since!

How did you develop your visual language?

By looking and drawing and looking some more. I experiment with ink and different drawing tools and allow myself to be playful. I think style is as much how you view the world as it is the way you draw…the two influence each other and that naturally shifts and changes the older and more gnarly you become.

 

What has been your favourite project to date?

It’s always the most recent one, I’m fickle like that! In this case it’s a picture book called ‘Coorie Doon’ written by the amazing Jackie Kay, illustrated by ME and published by Walker Books in January this year. It’s my first picture book for small children so it’s very special, cosy, dreamy and beautiful! I love short projects too and last year I illustrated a monthly series for Gardens Illustrated magazine which was my idea of heaven. I even drew a compost heap!

Are there any clients or collaborations out there in the world that you’re gunning for?

A New Yorker cover please! I shall manifest that…and I’d love to do something with Kew Gardens or The Edinburgh Cat and Dog Home. I’d also love to collaborate with Robert Macfarlane - his writing is exquisite, as is Kathleen Jamie’s. And definitely more work with Jackie Kay - she’s a legend!

Check out Jill Calder's legendary work here. 

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