Siski Kalla - Designer
Watercolour illustrator with a passion for nature, wildlife, pets, children, food and travel. A little sprinkle of magic is always nice too.
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Overview
I absolutely love working with art directors and directly with authors on their books. When a story and the characters resonate with me it makes the entire process seem like fun and I enjoy spending time in their 'world'. I especially enjoy illustrating quirky, sweet or funny characters, and I love illustrating animal characters too. Giving them personality is challenging but I enjoy that!
I've illustrated several children's books, creating magical imagery for I Love You This Much! for Wonderbly Publishing, and sweet, tender illustrations for I Don't Like Birthday Parties for Trigger Publishing, among others.
Character is key when I am creating art for children's books and I try to illustrate the story while allowing the art to create a narrative too. I use bright colours and especially light and shade to create atmospheric scenes and evoke emotions. When viewers look at my art I want them to be transported to another place, and to wish they could be inside one of my paintings. My passions are nature, animals, children, food and travel.
I've illustrated several children's books, creating magical imagery for I Love You This Much! for Wonderbly Publishing, and sweet, tender illustrations for I Don't Like Birthday Parties for Trigger Publishing, among others.
Character is key when I am creating art for children's books and I try to illustrate the story while allowing the art to create a narrative too. I use bright colours and especially light and shade to create atmospheric scenes and evoke emotions. When viewers look at my art I want them to be transported to another place, and to wish they could be inside one of my paintings. My passions are nature, animals, children, food and travel.
Services
Languages
English
Fiction
Children's
Non-Fiction
Children’s Non-Fiction
Certifications
- ICB: illustrating children's books, Lilla Rogers Illustration Agency
Work experience
Two children's books
Self-employed
July, 2020
–
Present
(over 1 year)
Working with Mindy Weiss, celebrity wedding planner, on two stories she has written about a flower girl for a wedding, and a ringbearer boy. This has been one of the most lovely jobs I've had to date. Such a pleasure to illustrate! Mindy is a joy to work with.
Children's picture book
Self-employed
June, 2020
–
September, 2020
(3 months)
I'm just finishing illustrating a children's book for Trigger Publishing (imprint of UpsideDown Books). It's been wonderful working with the editor, Hannah, as we've collaborated on the composition and characters. It's a lovely story about a boy who doesn't like birthday parties and how he finds a happy solution to his problem.
Children's picture book
Self-employed
September, 2019
–
December, 2019
(3 months)
Colour illustrations for a new book by Wonderbly Publishing, called I Love You This Much! Such a wonderful experience working with this lovely team.
Children's illustrations for books, theatre and wall art
Self-employed
January, 2016
–
August, 2019
(over 3 years)
Illustrations for a series of children's picture books published by an author in arabic; set of illustrations that were projected as scenery for a musical performance in the theatre; ongoing commissions for wall art and textiles.
Siski has 5 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
Where to begin?! Siski is amazing. She is kind and helpful and above all her work is superb. She asked questions which drilled down to, and resulting, in, her illustrations being exactly what we were looking for. We could not be more pleased and highly recommend her to anybody.
chris plumley, November 2021
Reply from Siski Kalla
Siski is not only a fabulous artist, but a wonderful collaborator. She fully invested herself in my book from the start, and was gracious, thoughtful, terrifically creative, and shared willingly of her experience in my genre. I could not have found a better illustrator or collaborator for my children's book--her sensitivity and intelligence were evident in every lovely painting she did for me, ...
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steve schechter, November 2021
Reply from Siski Kalla
Siski had been amazing to work with. She understood perfectly what I needed for my book cover. I am so pleased with the results.
A thousand times, thank you, Siski!
Leonora Ross, October 2021
Reply from Siski Kalla
I asked Siski to illustrate my first children’s book, and it’s been the most incredible experience from start till finish.
After trying (and failing) to find the right artist who’d be able to visualise my story, Siski’s first character sketches blew me away. I knew there and then that I had found the right illustrator to help me bring the story to life.
Siski was very approachable from start t...
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Kathi Oberberg, September 2021
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Reply from Siski Kalla
siski was an absolute joy to work with, and her illustration was fabulous. i cannot imagine a better collaborator, one who communicated her enthusiasm for the project and whose ideas made it substantially better. i''m very grateful to have found her!
steve schechter, July 2021
Reply from Siski Kalla
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