Johanna basford biography

I took the overnight bus to London on my days off to trawl round the offices of Art Directors and Commissioning Editors with my portfolio.

Johanna basford biography: I grew up on a fish

My signature style of hand drawn, black and white artwork paid off and earned me a list of freelance clients ranging from Nike to Absolut Vodka and Smart Car to Chipotle. Then things got really interesting… In late I was approached by a publisher to make a colouring book for children. I loved the colouring book idea, but wanted to do something a bit different.

My pitch for a sophisticated, grown up colouring book seemed a little odd at that time, but I drew up the first 5 pages, sent them over and got the thumbs up. In spring Secret Garden was launched. The daughter of marine biologists, she grew up on her parents' freshwater fish farm pushing wheelbarrows, hauling nets and permanently in wellingtons.

Education After school she moved to Dundee where she put in the time. At Duncan of Jordanstone she would arrive with the cleaners early in the morning and not leave until 14 hours later. I'm paying to be here.

Johanna basford biography: Johanna Basford OBE is a

I'm not going to get this opportunity again. Her attraction to black-and-white hand drawings was partly personal choice, partly expediency. But creating her colouring books never feels like work for the Ellon artist. Image: Johanna Basford.

Johanna basford biography: Biography. Johanna Basford was.

After graduating from art school, Johanna started off freelancing as an illustrator, creating packaging, wallpaper and other interiors. Much of my work has roots in the flora and fauna that surrounded me growing up on my parent's fish farm in rural Scotland. Every piece I create starts life as a simple pencil sketch, evolving into a rambling pen and ink drawing usually spanning several sheets of paper.