UNDISCOVERED VOICES INTERVIEWS Sandy Horsley

This week's Undiscovered Voices illustrator showcase is East Anglia based Sandy Horsley. A graduate of the Cambridge MA illustration course, Sandy chose to illustrate Kenneth Grahame's classic The Wind in the Willows.




• Tell us about yourself in 50 words or less

After a career in magazine publishing, I recently returned to university to study the MA in Children’s Book Illustration at Cambridge School of Art, graduating in 2018. It’s been an amazing experience being a student again – I had such great tutors and I feel I’ve learnt so much.

• Who or what do you think informs your illustration the most?

I take inspiration from a wide range of illustrators, especially those using humour in their work, such as Emily Gravett, Nadia Shireen and Jon Klassen. I love the dark humour of Edward Gorey’s illustrations in The Gashlycrumb Tinies. 
Illustrators using printmaking and pop-ups in their work also inspire me, especially Isabelle Vandenabeele, Icinori, Katsumi Komagata and books by Studio Fludd / Inuit Editions.

• What materials do you enjoy using the most?


I use a lot of traditional printmaking in my work. I like the way it can introduce an element of surprise and yield unexpected results.

• Why did you choose the scene you illustrated for UV2018?

Grumpy (but lovely) Badger is my favourite character in The Wind the Willows. The story describes him being all cosy in his underground study, sat by the fire warming his slippers, whilst Ratty and Mole wander about in the snowstorm outside. It created a strong narrative image in my mind that I wanted to get down on paper.

• If there was one thing that stood out the most about being a part of UV2018, what would it be?

It was great fun getting to know my fellow UV2018 winners and the UV volunteers during the workshop day.

• What has been the most valuable part of UV2018 for you?

Getting a peek into the publishing industry and sharing the journey with the UV2018 friends I’ve made along the way.

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Sandy's website is sandyhorsley.com
Follow her on Instagram @sandyhorsley

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You can download the Undiscovered Voices 2018 anthology here.

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Undiscovered Voices is an anthology published every other year by the British SCBWI and aims to help fresh, new voices in children’s literature – both writers and illustrators – find agents, publishers and ultimately readers. Undiscovered Voices has launched the careers of writers and illustrators, who have gone on to publish more than 200 books. These authors have been nominated for and won an amazing array of literary prizes: including the Carnegie Medal, Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize, Branford Boase Award, Blue Peter Award, the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award, and nearly 30 regional awards. Visit www.undiscoveredvoices.com for all the details and news when submissions will open for the next anthology.