Axel Scheffler
A Sign from Seymour
Anita Roddick
Boycott Britain
Democratising Science
In the Begining there was the Translation
Mobile Home
Resurgence
Singing from the Same Hymn Sheet
Slow Travel
The Futility of War
Axel Scheffler was born in Hamburg, Germany. He has achieved worldwide acclaim for his humorous illustrations, and his books have been translated into over twenty-nine languages. More recently (2006) he has been called upon to design Gordon Brown’s annual Christmas card!
Although always good at art, Axel never really considered a career in illustration. He went on from school to study History of Art at the University of Hamburg, but he didn’t like the course and decided to leave. Knowing that he wanted to live in another country and learn a second language, he moved to England to study illustration at the Bath Academy of Art. While he was there he spent much of his time drawing sheep and peacocks in the grounds of Corsham Court.
After graduating with a first class degree, Axel moved to London where he began illustrating for a variety of English and German advertising companies, magazines and newspapers. He took his portfolio to a number of publishers, and Faber commissioned him to illustrate The Piemakers by Helen Cresswell and The Bottle Rabbit by Bernard McCabe.
Axel still lives in London and he makes frequent visits to continental Europe. His hobbies include walking, cooking, reading and beadwork.
Axel often illustrates for Resurgence and is one of our favourite illustrators. An excellent interview with him can be found on www.booksforkeeps.co.uk
