Tony

I have always enjoyed writing and storytelling. At primary school I was often asked to read or tell stories of my own to the class, and writing has been a central activity I my life since then. I won essay prizes at secondary school and during my career with the British Council I published more than 30 articles in academic journals and magazines (including the Big Issue!).

Bedtime stories with my children frequently started by them asking me a question and me thinking on my feet to find a fantasy answer; the willow-pattern plates, which we used at home, were a big favourite: “where are those three men on the bridge going?”, “what adventures lie await in the distant mountains?” and this approach I have reproduced in our “Lightbulb Family Stories”. The questions in the titles of the books relate to the world around us and our children: “Who Is the Man in the Moon?”, “What Makes Waves Come and Go?”, “Why do Leaves Fall off the Trees in Autumn?”.

Anne-Louise

Ever since I have been holding a pencil, I have been creating. I have explored many avenues of expressing this creativity throughout my life which has led me to being a multi-disciplinary artist with experience ranging from art and illustration (both traditional and digital) to fine jewellery, to design, to singing and performance as a musician, and am even known as a mermaid performer. I don’t quite feel like I’m doing enough yet! Joking aside, I find joy in all of this and I’m always looking forward to “what next”. I’m deeply inspired by natural forms and flowing lines in my art with a particular fondness for animal and marine illustration.