Yasmin has recently reached her Kickstarter goal to crowdfund and create her very first children’s book ‘A Brolly-iant Adventure’.

What was the first piece of writing advice you received?

My English teacher, Mr Clouting, once said – a piece doesn’t always need to start from the beginning and finish with an end… It didn’t make sense to me at the time, but it did eventually. It helped me create short fun stories and imaginative illustrations that spoke for themselves, and allowed the audience to put themselves into the piece…. I guess what he taught me, without ever really knowing he taught me, was that less is more…

What was the most recent piece of writing advice you gave or received?

I haven’t really received or provided any advice on writing. I’ve witnessed more fun facts and inspiration around illustrating. My first love is to draw, the writing / words came from the drawings, like a little whisper in my ear.

The most recent “words of wisdom” I’ve fallen across all come from the inspiring and simple messages hidden in other children’s books… like Mini Grey’s message of the importance of patience in “Egg Drop” or Catherine Rayner’s beautiful reminder on how to find your own happiness in “Augustus and his Smile” or the nudge from Julia Donaldson “The Snail and the Whale” that it’s okay to leave your comfort zone for a bit of adventure …or David Litchfield’s sincere message in “The Bear and the Piano” about being supported and supporting those you love in reaching their dreams…

These are all words of wisdom that stick to me and my way of life and thinking, and that’s the biggest impact anyone could have…

What advice would you most like to pass on?

Have fun, notice the little things, do things for you, not for the money or because someone wants you to. Be kind and gentle on yourself. Life can be hard, but the journey alone is worth it.

Drawing is something that has always given me comfort and happiness. I think this is why it’s one of few things I actively pursue on a daily basis. I take great inspiration in the little things in life – seeing faces and characters in inanimate objects like bins, cars, shadows and cutlery. I enjoy observing the mundane and breathing a bit of life into them – these things make the wildest stories in my mind – they seem to escape my brain and out through the tips of my fingers.

From an early age I had always journaled and doodled – this slowly began to evolve into whole, final pieces and eventually into commissioned work. Artwork is my strongest link to my childhood and that feeling of pure, innocent happiness. In the famous words of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, “All grown-ups were once children… but only few of them remember it” With the help of a pencil and a piece of paper, I hope to be one of those grown-ups that never let the world fade to a dull grey.

2018 has been the hardest but most rewarding year so far – with books, pin badges, prints and stickers being create and fetes and exhibitions being attended. My ultimate goal though is to continuing seeing the world with the heart and not just the eyes…