Trudy White

Author, Illustrator

Trudy White is a painter, illustrator, author and designer. She draws in watercolour, ink and acrylic paint, making large paintings and small books, and she also designs books and other things.

What other jobs have you had?

While I studied at university, I worked as a Chinese Herbal Medicine Dispenser for eight years. My job was to follow recipes to make up medicines using dried twigs, leaves and seeds. That was my best job ever. I’ve also worked shaping bread in an organic bakery, as a toy library toy restorer, in telemarketing (I lasted one day), as a book editor, and as a watercolour technician. Lately, I have been teaching art and design in universities, and at ArtPlay children’s art studio in Melbourne,

What themes are recurring in your work?

I usually find myself writing about friendship, made-up places that I’d like to go to, and questions I’d like to ask people to think about. In my artwork, I paint imaginary landscapes and corners, using watercolour and ink, as well as acrylic paint.

What have been the highlights of your career?

Illustrating The Book Thief for Markus Zusak was a big one. Working on projects with really interesting people has been a highlight. Just being able to write and illustrate books is great, and visiting schools is always exciting.