Today we’d like to introduce you to Alison Sanders
Hi Alison, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have aways been fascinated with storytelling and the freedom that animation and film brings. You are not locked in to what you can see or do in the real world. In animation you can stretch and change things, you can add in imaginary creatures and defy the laws of physics. It’s a medium that especially allows room for the imagination of a young child.
I majored in animation in college and then did a mentorship that lead me to my first feature film work. I worked in film for 5 years in the US and the UK. I decided to stop work to have a family. The hours that are required by the film industry are not conducive to a family life.
With having children came children’s books. I experienced the same sort of joy and freedom with children’s books that I had with animation. It’s a medium where you can dive into the feelings and story and bring your readers along for the ride.
Currently I have published one book and am working on a second manuscript and dummy book.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road getting to where I am now. I originally planned to take one to three years off work to start a family. With various medical issues, unexpected changes and moves that one to three years became ten. I have had to actively set my career aside several times to help my family through various life events. But, each time I kept coming back to art, coming back to sharing stories, coming back to wanting to be part of a larger system supporting our communities through literacy. And finally it seems that things have settled down and I am now regularly able to devote time to my art and my business.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In my work I aim to show the small intimate moments in a family’s life. Things like sharing a cup of cocoa or reading a book together. The big events are always going to be remembered by a family, but it’s the little events that often help shape a child the most. It’s being read to every night, it’s the scent of grandma’s bread baking, it’s the way your big brother let’s you play with him. All those little moments add up to create a sense of family and safety. Those are the moments I love to represent.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Overall I think the children’s book industry has been shifting, and continues to shift, to focusing on showing more diversity and forward thinking in children’s books. It is increasingly important to show all children that they are an important part of this society That they belong no matter what. That they have value no matter what.
I think that children’s books are helping to shape a new generation of more kind and compassionate people. A generation who is not afraid of a different culture or someone who looks different from them. A generation with a deep understanding of the importance of social emotional learning and that their actions can help shape the world we live in.
I hope that this continues to be the case and increases the tolerance for the next generation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.alisonsandersillustration.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alison_sanders_illustration/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551045552996
- Other: https://alisonartstudioshop.etsy.com
Image Credits
Photo credit to Monica Aldarondo.
All illustrations credit to Alison Sanders.
