Shona Grant

I grew up on the island of South Uist in the Western Isles where my dad was a doctor for 25 years. I've was always drawing, particularly animals. I sent these to 'Vision On' (a t.v. prog in the 60's) on a regular basis in the hope that Tony Hart would show them in the Gallery, but he never spotted my early talent! My other childhood ambition was to win a Blue Peter badge, but I never got one of these either. I went to boarding school from the age of 11 at St Hilary's school in Morningside in Edinburgh. More Miss Jean Brodie than Hogwarts. I scraped a few O and Higher Grades in art and other subjects but definately not in sums. I got into illustration in a very round about way which I won't bore you with, but when I was living in London for 10 years I began illustrating medical books, progressed to natural history/gardening books and finally ended up illustrating children's books thanks to a commission from Walker Books. Much better than illustratating medical bits! I've been illustrating books for 20 years on and off, and hope to do so for the next 20 .... and beyond. I live in Aberdeenshire with my fabulous daughter Catherine (11) and equally fabulous husband Martin (48), 1 dog (mongrel), 1 cat (vicious), 2 guinea pigs (stupid) and 1 terrapin (don't ask).