Behind the scenes (if you can get in through the door)

It’s only when I know I have visitors – even virtual ones – that I truly see how chaotic my workspace is.

It’s where I keep a lot of books, but don’t treat them very well.

It’s where I keep my art materials…

and a lot of other odd stuff too, like my collection of toys that no one else wants or loves.

There’s usually a crafty project on the go too, for a festival or school event, cluttering up the place…

and the latest obsessive collection: at the moment it’s tissue paper – I love the noise it makes. The tea-cup paper was discovered lining a long-forgotten chest of drawers.

But sometimes I remember that all I need, all I really need, is a piece of paper, an 8B graphite pencil, a black Moleskine notebook, and some uncluttered, focused peace and quiet.

So thank you Author Allsorts, this has prompted me to turn over a new leaf. Come back in a month or so and see if I’ve kept my word!

Clara Vulliamy
Website/Blog|Twitter
I was born in London, daughter of author illustrator Shirley Hughes and architect John Vulliamy. My first experience of making pictures was being allowed to use up my Mum’s paints at the end of the day, which was like scraping the icing out of the bowl after baking.
I studied Fine Art at Chelsea School of Art, The Ruskin and The Royal Academy. After graduating I began illustrating in newspapers and magazines, and doing a weekly cartoon in The Guardian. I started writing and illustrating children’s books when I had a family of my own, and I’ve been hooked ever since. I’ve made around 30 books, including The Bear with Sticky Paws, Lucky Wish Mouse and Martha and the Bunny Brothers.
I live in Twickenham with my husband, our two grown-up children and a gang of cheeky guinea pigs.