Profile
of the artist
Publishing interest
David Elliot is an award-winning children's illustrator and author, who has achieved national and international success in recent years. He has illustrated five books in the well-known 'Redwall' series and two books in the 'Castaways' series, both by U.K. author, Brian Jacques. He was also cover and interior artist for 'The Great Tree of Avalon' series, by T.A. Barron.
In 2006, David provided illustrations for Time journalist, Jeffrey Kluger's first children's book, which is due for release early next year. Closer to home, he illustrated The Smell of Powder, a book on New Zealand duelling, by Donald Kerr. His latest projects are The Hunting of the Snark (Private Press edition, with the University of Otago), which is featured on this website, and the latest book in the 'Redwall' series.
Over the last ten years, David has illustrated a wide range of children's books, including poetry, short stories, novels and picture books, for New Zealand publishers and also for U.S. publisher, Philomel (Penguin) New York. He has exhibited widely throughout New Zealand and is part of the New Zealand Book Council's Writers in Schools scheme.
Personal background
David was born in Ashburton, in the South Island of New Zealand. He has a Fine Arts Diploma in Painting and is also a qualified school teacher. His previous jobs include Gatekeeper at Edinburgh Zoo (which he describes as the 'pivotal experience' which led him to a career in illustration), dishwasher in Antarctica and interior designer, designing pubs in Australia.
He currently teaches drawing part-time, as part of a visual arts course in Dunedin. The rest of his week is spent on his own work, in his Port Chalmers studio, under the scrutinising eye of his two teenage daughters.
Book awards
David has won many national book awards including:
Mona Minim and the Smell of the Sun by Janet Frame, illus. by David Elliot
- 2006 Best Children's Book - Spectrum Print Book Design Awards
- 2006 Runner-up Best Book - Spectrum Design Awards
Pigtails the Pirate written and illustrated by David Elliot
- 2003 Best Book - New Zealand Post Children's Picture Book Awards
Sydney and the Sea Monster written and illustrated by David Elliot
- 2000 Honour Award - New Zealand Post Awards
Arthur and the Dragon by Pauline Cartwright, illustrated by David Elliot
- 1991 Russell Clark Illustration Award - New Zealand Library Association
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