Peter Kavanagh

I was born in England of Irish parents in 1960, growing up in and being influenced by the cultures of both England and Ireland. I worked for many years as a children's book illustrator and author. Currently I manage an illustration agency looking after the projects of around 25 artists. I've had over one hundred and fifty titles published, recent books being George and the Dragon, Craig's Crocodile and Ella's Games. I've illustrated authors such as Dick King-Smith, Jacqueline Wilson and Tony Bradman. I regularly visit schools and libraries and work with children on books and drawing. I enjoy teaching and have created courses in drawing, painting and writing childrens books. I enjoy visiting local art groups and run life drawing classes for adults.

My main subject is the nude and I draw and paint from life whenever I can. As an illustrator a model is used for reference to help convey the desired figure. As an artist the process of working with the naked model becomes the essence of the nude picture. The connection, the relationship, the mood of the session impact upon the naked art and resonate in the final image.

I prefer to paint directly from life to experience the presence of the model. This demands working quickly before...

1979 Foundation Course at the Ulster Polytechnic, Belfast.
1980/1983 Graphic design education at Somerset College of Arts and Technology, regional diploma and membership of the SIAD.
1983/1985 Graphic designer at Video Graffiti, Milton Keynes working on industrial audio-visual productions 1985/1989 Graphic designer at CAL Video Graphics, Soho, London working on television title sequences, commercials and film special effects. Won the Online computer graphics award for Best Digital Effects in 1988 with the Liverpool Tate Gallery commercial.
1989/2017 Freelance designer, illustrator, author, tutor and artist.

I've had exhibitions at the Madder Market Theatre, Norwich and Sheringham Little Theatre as well as participating in Norfolk Open Studios and contributing to local mixed exhibitions. I have exhibited in galleries in Brighton, Fareham, Southampton, London and most recently in Paderne, Portugal.