Now that we’re all firmly in the grip of Olympic fever thanks to Danny Boyle’s fantastic Opening Ceremony on Friday, it seems even more relevant to continue exploring the creative industries’ input into this sporting goliath. Somebody on twitter remarked that Danny Boyle had done more in two hours to get us engaged with the Olympics than politicians had managed in seven years – and I think there’s something in that. Creative storytelling can be incredibly powerful, and can touch people’s hearts in a way that facts and figures just can’t. The next interview in this series is with University College Falmouth graduate Rose Forshall, who illustrated the beautiful Howl on the Wind, a story about a girl applying for the Paralympics.
How did you start working with Howl on the Wind author, Charmian Hussey and how did the process of putting the book together work?
The Head of MA Illustration at University Falmouth, Steve Braund arranged the union. I was on the course last year and he thought that my illustrations would suit Charmian’s words and that we would work well together to create a beautiful book. Howl on The Wind was published by Atlantic Press, Steve’s publishing company.
How important is it that half of the book’s profits go to charities ‘Wheelpower’ and ‘Poppa Guttman Trust’?
I think it is wonderful though it wasn’t my idea. From the start Charmian Hussey was certain she wanted a big chunk of the revenue from the sales of the book to go to both charities. Wheelpower and the Poppa Guttman Trust were involved in helping Charmian with Lizzie (the main character the book) and her trouble in coming to terms with being in a wheelchair.
What’s the importance of the Olympics – to you, to London, to the UK?
I think for London and the UK, it’s an epic event worth getting excited about. I love exercise and Cornwall (I live in Falmouth) is a perfect place to swim, jog, surf, kite surf, wind surf, walk, fish ride horses and ride bikes. If the Olympics can get a lot more people to exercise, get outside and be healthier it will be worth all the money spent on the event.
How would you describe your style of illustration? What or who are your influences?
I started printmaking on my Masters at UCF and it’s all I can think about working on at the moment: developing my printmaking skills. Collagraphy is a printing technique I use a lot, a long process but worth the effort. As for influences I have lots of them; everyday I see something I like which inspires me to go and do my own work. Sometimes I see work I really do not like and that also makes me work! It was Stephen Braund’s 10th year illustration forum recently, which took place at UCF. Benoit Jacques, Adam Dant, Peter Blegvad, Paul Slater, John Vernon Lord, Sophie Herxeimer, Catrin Morgan all got together under the same roof to talk about the absurd in illustration, A truly inspiration and humorous event!
I know this might sound a little cheesy, but my mother is also a great influence to me. She is a painter and has painted most days for 30 years while bringing up four children…I’d say that’s pretty cool.
What influence does University College Falmouth and living in Cornwall have on your work?
It means pretty much everything to me to be living by the sea…it is not always the subject matter of my work but the sea is my constant source of inspiration. It has great healing power too. As for UCF I did my Foundation course, my BA in Illustration course and my MA in illustration here – what more can I say! All first class courses – and all very individual courses catering for different stages of my life and work. I hear there are a lot of changes happening to the university: not necessarily good ones. For those in charge: I very strongly hope and wish that the courses I did remain as good for future students.
Further reading for the especially geeky:
- interview :: tom dymond
- interview :: natasha ratcliffe
- interview :: donna wilson
- interview :: sian zeng
