Mitch Vane

Illustrator

Mitch Vane has illustrated children’s books with many different publishers in Australia & in the US. She has collaborated with her partner Danny Katz to create many books including the Yabba Award Winning “Little Lunch” series, & her cartoons appeared with his weekly column in the Age for 11 years. She has also recently illustrated a series of Zodiac Stamps for Australia Post. Mitch works with a variety of mediums such as acrylic paint and watercolour, but is happiest drawing funny pictures with an old-fashioned dip pen and lots of messy Indian Ink.

What themes are recurring in your work?

I seem to be happiest, and at my most natural, when I am drawing things that are funny, or at least slightly whimsical. Animals make me laugh, especially dogs and cats, so they seem to pop up a lot in my work.

What have been the highlights of your career?

Creating the “Little Lunch” series with Danny Katz (& receiving the Yabba Award for Little Lunch 3). Having my series of 12 Zodiac stamps published by Australia Post was definitely a highlight. My dad would have been SO proud! Judging the Children’s Youth & Group Art for the Cancer Council Arts Awards for the past 3 years.

What are you passionate about?

I am passionate about doing the things in life that make you happy. I strongly believe that art, in all forms, is an important part of a child’s learning and development . Expressing our thoughts and feelings and fears through an artistic medium really helps us cope and make sense of the crazy world around us. It also gives us lovely things to look at!

Anything else you’d like to share with us?

I have two very cool teenagers who think I am a complete dag, and one very lazy cat called Patchy . I work in a studio at the back of my house that overlooks the garden. Bliss.