Ashley Spires
Ashley Spires
award-winning children's book author and illustrator
Ashley is an award-winning children’s book author and illustrator now living in British Columbia.
She is the creator of Binky The Space Cat
series and the bestselling children’s book, The Most Magnificent Thing,
soon to be made into an animated short film.
Q&A
Once you decided you wanted to illustrate children's books, how
did you get started?
I actually mailed out paper copies of my illustrations to publishers! Then I sat and waited with my fingers crossed for a year. It was about a month into my first contract with a tiny publisher that I realized I had no idea
what I was doing.
After those first few books, I went back to get my graduate diploma in illustration which taught me everything I needed to know about hard work and collaborating with editors and designers.
You use a variety of techniques in your drawings. Which do you enjoy most?
I adore watercolour painting. It's almost like a meditation! But when it comes to final art for my books, it's tough to top Photoshop. I was so reluctant to move into the digital era but I'm so glad I did.
When it comes to ease of fixing mistakes or making edits, nothing beats the computer.
What has been your greatest accomplishment?
Having my book, The Most Magnificent Thing, hit the 100,000 books sold mark was pretty terrific (though it has now quadrupled that)!
When I was a kid, my dream was to work in animation when I grew up. Somewhere along the way I realized that I lacked the basic drawing skills to be an animator, but now two of my works have been/ are being developed into animated films. That makes my 11-year old self squeal
with excitement.
Books by Ashley Spires
more about me...
some of my hobbies...
As a result of working at home, I've found that getting outside and being active is integral to my health and my creative process. I jog, bike ride or practice yoga every day of the week.
a quote I live by is...
Onwards and upwards!
some of my most recent published books include...
Book or Bell, Go to Sleep Little Creep,
and The Thing Lou Couldn't Do.
"I think the most important skill anyone can develop is to be a good collaborator. Take edits, suggestions, and criticism with an open mind and heart."
