Vanessa Cabban

As a child

I grew up between boarding school in England, and wherever my parents were living - Africa, Spain, Belgium and the USA. I started buying children's books from car-boot sales and junk shops, always admiring them, but thinking I was going to be a painter. I liked to be solitary, and I remember drawing a lot. I didn't grow up with television, so I have a different memory of childhood to many people of my age.

As an adult

I realized I should be illustrating children's books when I noted that every time I went into a bookshop, I spent hours in the children's section. While in art college, I spent a lot of time trying different areas, especially print-making. I liked to experiment. It was only when I went back to drawing and watercolours, that I felt I was going in the right direction. I live on the border of Scotland, with my husband, a cat and two miniature, wire-haired dachshunds, Ellie and Dougie.

As an artist

I like to work in my studio in the garden, with my two dogs snoring nearby. Drawing is my favourite part of making a book, and I like to use watercolours for their ability be strong or delicate. I love building up the layers. Creating characters in my drawings is the most important element - I could draw people and animals, doing weird and wonderful things, all day long.

Things you didn't know about Vanessa Cabban

1. I have a stone rabbit guarding the door to my studio.
2. I have stone sparrows around the garden. My cat would prefer the real thing.
3. I walk my two miniature dachshunds every morning.
4. I love ice cream more than chocolate.
5. I would like to have fairy lights up all year round.
6. My garden is my favourite place to be.
7. I like wearing lots of colourful jewellery.
8. My studio is in the garden, but my desk isn't by the window, or I'd spend all my time looking out.
9. The thing I like about my dogs is their huge front paws, their big bushy eyebrows and beards, and their little beady eyes.
10. I love it when my nails are painted red.