The interviews.........

HEATHER GATLEY

What are your daily inspirations?

Bowl of cheerios (inspiration to get up!), boredom, my potted garden that changes everyday, itsnicethat.com

How do you get out of being stuck with drawers block?

If I'm struggling with that I find if I just grab a pencil and just draw literally anything lying around it just starts the ball rolling and takes the pressure off! It might be a rubbish drawing but then you've got it over with and the next one will always be more focussed and ten times better!

What materials do you use?

Ink, paper, paint and the trusty pencil.

Is the computer important in the composition of your work or just necessary?

Depends on the job really, but generally the computer helps me a lot in working out compositions.

What are your favourite projects to date?

Hmm thats difficult. I really enjoyed working on the Waitrose Essential range because it was doing simple watercolours which really got me back to basics because I couldn't rely on the computer to sort out any mistakes! I've done work for Illustrated Ape and Traveller magazine recently which were both fun.

Which other artists / illustrators, do you admire ?

Oh so many, but favourites are Egon Schiele, Cy Twombly and David Hockney. Illustrators I like at the moment... Alan Baker's work is great, Luke Best, Jon Klasson, Camilla Engman... and my good friends Debbie Powell and Dan Haskett!