Et alors?

From Alors by Kitty Crowther, 2005

Two days ago, the Belgian (well technically part-British, part-Swedish but she has lived her all her life) illustrator Kitty Crowther won the prestigious Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. The writers and illustrators who receive this award are recognized for their work which reflects the philosophy of Astrid Lindgren and promotes the reading of books. Receiving this baby is an honour of first degree.

In the words of the jury:

She maintains the tradition of the picture book while transforming and renewing it,” the jury said in its citation. “In her deeply felt empathy with people in difficulty, she shows ways in which weakness can be turned into strength. Humanism and sympathy permeate and unify her artistry.

As an aspiring illustrator myself and a fan of her work this news great. Some recognition for the amazing talent we have here in Belgium and proof that there is indeed a future in illustration (for those lucky few).

Kitty Crowther writes and illustrates her own stories of which the total count rests at about twenty-something. She is a storyteller at heart. Kitty didn't talk until she was six years old because she couldn't hear a thing. No one knew what to do with her. To escape, she invented her own little world. Drawing soon became one of the only ways to express herself. Eventually she got a hearing aid and learned how to talk but  all those years that she was behind still left her very isolated. In her own words, books were her bubble, her refuge.

One of her favourite things is drawing wretched people She alternates between brown or black ink and pencils, creating a mood with just a few lines.

And since we're on topic, I thought I should share some other amazing Belgian illustrators.

My favourite has to be fellow 'Gentenaar' Eva Mouton, who graduated only last year.
Please check her out at her website here.

Next we have Merel Eyckerman. I'm going to speed things up a bit because my arm is feeling numb.
She too is an amazingly talented woman with a lot great books to back it up. More of her work to be found at www.merel-benjamin.be and check out Benjamin Leroy whilst you're at it!

xo

Credits: 1,2 and 3