Northern Highlight - Emmeline Pidgen

Northern Highlight

Emmeline Pidgen

1.      Why did you become a writer/illustrator?

I’ve always loved storytelling, particularly through art. I remember when I was about six saying to my best friend, “Hey! You should write books and I’ll illustrate them!”. Now I do both, and I couldn’t be happier doing what I love for a living.

Artwork based on The Magician's Nephew

2.      Tell us about where you live.

I live in a little town in Lancashire. My house is close to a nice park so I spend a lot of time there or in my garden. It’s wonderful to be close to amazing cities like Manchester, as well as gorgeous places like the Lake District! 

3.      Where do you write/illustrate? 

I work from my home studio most of the time, but (when it’s not lockdown) I like to get out and draw in cafés or in shared studios.

My Anxiety Handbook written by Sue Knowles, Bridie Gallagher and Phoebe McEwen.
Published by Jessica Kingsley Publishing

4.      What for you is the 'spirit of the North’?

I’ve found there’s such a great sense of community and creativity in the North. There’s just something really exciting about people here being so willing to be exactly who they are, and expressing themselves and their creativity in the best way possible.

5.      Has this spirit influenced your work?

I definitely think it has. I’ve had so much encouragement and support from my creative peers across the North, and that enthusiasm really resonates into my own work.

Published by Egmont 

6.      Who for you are the great northern illustrators?

There’s so much talent here, and I particularly want to shout out to the amazing children’s comics community! Comic creators like Joe List, Marc Jackson and Kristyna Baczynski are brilliant; and comic festivals like Thought Bubble in Leeds and The Lakes International Comic Art Festival are some of the best in the country.

7.      If you could be transported to anywhere in the North right now, where would it be?

I’d really love to be in Whitby right now! I love it there. I’ve only been once, but the winding streets, history and views really grabbed me.

8.      What would you like to see from children's publishing in the North?

I’m just incredibly excited to see the North becoming more and more of a hub for children’s publishing. There’s so much diverse talent, and so many unheard voices and stories here. So to have a community building up locally gives me a lot of hope for a future full of even more exciting Northern stories.

You can find Emmeline on Twitter & Instagram @emmelinedraws
www.emmelineillustration.com