What is your illustrating day like? When and how do you create?  It really depends on what’s on my desk! For example, I’m currently illustrating a book for CSIRO Publishing in Australia, which is taking up a lot of my creative energy. In reality, I’m a bit of a "calendar blocker." I map out my week to cover every corner of my business - from children’s books and surface pattern design to admin, marketing, and running my online course and community. They all require a substantial amount of time, so staying organised ensures I don’t miss a beat. When it’s time to actually illustrate, I have a little ritual. I put on a podcast, an audiobook, or some music to "get in the zone." Once the audio starts, the rest of the world fades away, and I can just focus on the drawing! Where do your best ideas come from? How does surface pattern-creating evolve to children’s picture books and vice versa?  My ideas usually sprout from everyday life. So a walk in nature or the hilarious ...