A wonderful artist parent interview @artist_parent with Katie May @matiekay, an artist from Staffordshire, UK.
Tell us about yourself?
I’m an illustrator and Mum to my one year old daughter. I completed an MA in Children’s Book Illustration at the Cambridge School of Art last year, just a month before my daughter was born. The MA immersed me in the world of children’s books, an area of illustration I have always loved. I was able to simplify my visual language, transform my way of working and spend time drawing from observation. I feel that becoming a parent has further changed my attitude to my work. I have always been inspired by my childhood memories, the narratives of everyday life and the little details that are often missed. My daughter has shown me that each little thing or event can be a ‘Big Thing’ to a child. I like to make books that celebrate these little details and stories that capture the imagination.
How has being a parent had a positive impact on your artistic practice?
As a relatively new mum I’m currently navigating how becoming a parent will impact my artistic practice. I cannot wait to share my creativity with my daughter. I’d love us to have fun drawing and creating together. I’m sure her fresh perspective and view of the world will encourage me to work playfully, with more freedom. Drawing from life forms a huge part of my artistic practice so I am hoping to use my daughter as a model, my audience and as she grows up a sounding board for storylines and ideas. I’d like to create some board books, possibly with moving parts as they really seem to hold her attention. I wouldn’t have considered creating this type of book a year and a half ago.
What are the challenges you have faced in your artistic practice being a parent?
Uninterrupted time to create and draw currently seems to be a thing of the past. I had to rely on the help of others, which I was so grateful for, to show my work at the graduate exhibition and Bologna book fair, with my daughter being so young. Almost one year on I am trying to make the most of the small moments I get to create, and accept that making slow progress is still progress. My goals have become longer term aims and I’m concentrating on sharing books with my daughter and formulating ideas for future projects.
Any advice for other Artist Parents and how they can continue to nurture their practice?
So far I have found this difficult as my daughter is still so little. I’ve had to alter my mindset and accept that working in the way I used to is currently impossible. I’ve found other ways to remain connected to my practice. Sharing books with my daughter allows me to experience them with their intended audience - learning how they work from a difference perspective. Drawing my daughter whenever I get chance, listening to industry related talks and keeping a sketchbook nearby so I can jot down ideas or sketches are all helping at the moment. I’d love to attend some group observational drawing sessions and creative workshops to give myself some dedicated creative time.
Is there anything else you would like to say, share or promote?
I’m keen to resume my habit of drawing everyday and sharing images consistently, but it’s tricky. I obviously have to keep a close eye on my daughter if I’m trying to draw and she loves to take my paper and pencil and tries to eat them… so it’s a slow process!
Thank you to Katie for sharing her story and thank you for reading. If you would like to read more stories or for your work to be shared then follow and tag @artist_parent on Instragam.
Posted on Instagram 26th & 27th March 2025
