Finding joy in the little things, artist perspective by Deborah Schreiber
Artist Perspective by German-born illustrator Deborah Schreiber on her creative life shaped by family, travel, grief and nature.
As an author-illustrator and new mum, I love illustrating picture books and non-fiction work that connect with nature, emotion, and the magic of everyday moments in a playful manner. I’m drawing from personal experiences and imagination to bring a sense of wonder and empathy to my work.
Since becoming a new mum, my creative days have shifted into an unpredictable but wonderful new rhythm. One day might begin with a cup of coffee in my studio with my baby snoozing in the sling. Others could be a bit more chaotic and I won’t get to draw until my husband comes home from work and I can emerge myself in my studio at the end of the day. Time is (for now) made up of little pockets, calm moments in between. But rather than feeling limiting this change has brought a deeper sense of presence and importance to my work. In some ways I even found it to be one of my most creatively rich chapters.
In the midst of this new life, art has, as usual, been my constant companion. It has helped me wind down, process emotions, navigate the challenges of motherhood - all by giving me moments of calm amidst the madness. It is my little escape island. And always has been; Over the past few years life has thrown its fair share (or perhaps unfair share?) of challenges my way and with it a barrage of deep personal losses - far too soon.
I lost a sister and both my parents within a few years, all very unexpectedly. These events have left a profound mark on my life and essentially my work. Grief and loss, though heavy, have shaped how I see the world. I find more meaning in the little things than before. And I’ve always been an optimist. But I linger longer on the small, everyday magic. Especially so since our baby boy came into our lives.
My illustrations inevitably echo this.
Growing up in Munich in a creative, culturally rich environment, my childhood was filled with fairy tales, alpine forests and folk traditions. These unique influences, my parents' love for different cultures and travel as well as my sister’s part African heritage are still the source of a lot of my inspirations.
Our small flat, in hindsight, had the cosy feel of a live-in antique shop. It was filled with well worn furniture, curious trinkets and vintage family nick nacks. Shelves overflowing with books.
My siblings and I also had a great collection of picture books. And even before I could read, I knew my favourites by heart, word for word,and many of them still sit proudly on my bookshelf today, like old friends saying hello.
My professional art career as a maker began in Ireland, where I studied crafts amid the green rolling hills in an old riverside mill with yellow windows. Later, I moved to Cornwall to pursue my BA and MA in Illustration at Falmouth University. Nestled between tropical gardens and a wild, rugged coastline, this quirky seaside town has since become my home. It’s where I refined my visual language and deepened my storytelling voice.
My academic path has also taken me to Australia for a few months, immersing myself in the vibrant flora and fauna. A train station in Melbourne and its rumour linked with India already made it into a fun project of mine.
After all this I feel very lucky to live my childhood dream and specialise in creating picture books and playful non-fiction, blending imagination and information in engaging ways. My stories explore emotion, nature and the small, everyday moments that shape our world and make it so magical.
Whether it’s a bear on a grand adventure or a playful non-fiction piece about the life cycle of a butterfly, I like to create work that feels inviting, emotive and meaningful in a playful manner.
My colourful illustrations are mainly created with traditional materials:watercolour, gouache and coloured pencils. I love their richness, texture and the calming process of working with them. And since becoming a mum, I’ve pushed myself to integrate Procreate into my process. The iPad now helps me to stay flexible, allowing me to test compositions or add digital touches to my hand-painted pieces. This combination helps me adapt my workflow while keeping the handmade quality I value so much.
After years of living abroad, navigating grief and embracing the happy challenges of motherhood, the nostalgia and concept of home have taken on a deeper meaning. It’s no longer just a place but a feeling I reconnect with through my art. Surrounded by glimpses of Munich, Bavarian folk art and little family keepsakes in my studio - mixed with the presence of my life by the sea, I’ve been drawn to explore my roots more intentionally. I am beginning to weave these threads of heritage, coastal life and personal life more into my work, guiding me toward stories still waiting to be told. Anchored in the beauty of both land and sea.
If you’d like more info, or to work with Deborah, please contact: [email protected]
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