From Precious
July, 2008
Kanako Usui
Children's book author/illustrator | Media / Arts
kanakousui.com
Precious: Tell us about your route to the job.
When I was in primary school, I used to write, illustrate and bind my own picture books. Since then, I was vaguely hoping to become a children's book author.
Seven years ago, I arrived in the UK in order to pursue my study in Art. I went to Kent Institute of Art and Design, and then graduated from Kingston University in 2003. In the second year of university, I began to work with Walker Books. That was then I started to feel my dream was just beginning to take shape. I exhibited two books at the Degree show, and I had offers by publishers to publish both of them.
Precious: Describe a typical working day.
8am Get up and have breakfast and check emails
10am Start to work
12:30pm Have lunch and work
14:30pm Have tea (I love this time of the day!) and work
19:30pm Supper, then relax or if I'm busy I may work till late. Go to my comfy bed! Mind you, as a free-lancer, I don't have a typical timetable of a day. The daily routine above is only an example, and a day doesn't go quite like this normally!
Precious: What do you love most about your job?
The freedom of not having to go to the office from nine till five. The fact that I am doing a job, which was my long-term dream, and having a creative outlet for my ideas that I get paid for.
Precious: Is there anything you really dislike about it?
The lack of job security, and self-discipline.
Precious: What do you do to relax?
With a nice cup of tea and digestive biscuits on a rainy day, Or have a nice walk up to a park on a sunny day. I also love chilling out with my friends.
Precious: What's the most exciting thing to happen in your career so far?
1 The day I saw my book in a bookshop for the first time!
2 When I received The Best New Illustrator's Award from The Book Trust with my book "The Fantastic Mr.Wani)!
3 My Christmas Book, "Lazy Santa and Toto" was also published in Japan!
Precious: What are your career ambitions?
Hopefully I will have published some more books, and possibly I will explore new avenues for my illustrations. I would like to start making animations and also would like to have an exhibition of my collage works.
Precious: Do you have any advice to those who wish to follow in your footsteps?
It is a very competitive field. A lot of effort and a bit of luck are needed, but the essential thing is to be passionate and enthusiastic.
(Kanako Image: A+Photography)
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