This is the 20th installment of When Art Meets Chickens: profiles of artists, crafters and, like this case, writer/illustrators who are inspired by chickens in their work. I don’t have kids, but it’s a lovely book for all ages and anything that promotes the awareness of keeping and caring for backyard chickens is a good thing.
Who are you and what do you do?
I was raised on a farm in South East Queensland, Australia and pursued a career in Primary Education. In addition to teaching, I have a passion for the arts, writing, drawing and painting. My desire to have a positive impact on the lives of children merged with my love of art resulting in the creation of several books to inspire and delight children. I currently live on the Gold Coast with my husband, children and bantam chickens.
How does that influence your work?
I enjoy creating books that are meaningful and that teach valuable lessons to children as well as being visually engaging and heartwarming.
What’s your history with creating art?
I’ve always loved art but only started drawing again when I began creating children’s picture books.
How has your practice changed over time?
I used to draw a lot with pencils and paint with acrylics but now I mostly enjoy experimenting with watercolors. My favourite subjects are birds and botanicals.
What work is most fulfilling?
I love creating something beautiful using watercolor paints but the most fulfilling work is when I have completed a children’s picture book as it takes the most amount of time and effort. It is fulfilling knowing that my books touch the lives of children and families all over the world.
How did you come to write and illustrate a children’s book about chickens?
I really like to use every day experiences, analogies and examples to teach my children life lessons and our chickens provided one of those educational moments and inspired my children’s book, Sooty & Snow.
We had two lovable chickens called Sooty and Snow. Despite our efforts, our black bantam hen, Sooty, insisted on finding ways to get through, under and over the fence designed to keep her safe in our beautiful back yard.
Black chook didn’t trust that the fence boundary was put in place out of love for her and our other chicken friends so eventually flew over and lost her tail feathers to a dog. Thankfully she has recovered just fine and inspired a fun and educational children’s book!
Hopefully she learned the lesson that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the fence.
What was that process like?
Writing and illustrating a children’s book is a long process. From writing, editing, story boarding, illustrating, formatting and then sending off to print it can take several months or even years. It took me about nine months to get my book-baby in my hands.
What memorable responses have you had to your work?
I’ve had so many positive reviews about my books. Hearing that one of my books is a child’s favourite or that a family could read it without looking at the words because they’ve read it so often or seeing kids dress up as one of my book characters for book week is so rewarding.
What motivates you to create?
My own children inspire me but also hearing that my books are inspiring other children motivates me to keep creating heart-warming stories.
First experience with chickens?
We have had backyard chickens for about 16 years now. We currently have seven adorable bantam chickens.
How have they impacted your life?
Chickens make me happy. Whenever I’m feeling down just watching them roam around the back yard and run around or have a cuddle makes me smile.
How do chickens inspire your work?
Chickens are characters with funny personalities. My book was inspired by their antics but their adorable, quirky nature and beautiful feathers inspire my artwork.
Many thanks to Nikki for sharing her stories and art, used with permission.
“Celebrating the intersection of creativity and chickens“
Bitchin' Chickens 
Thank you for sharing my story with fellow chicken lovers 😊❤️
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