Judy Watson

Judy Watson is an established illustrator of picture books and junior fiction, living and working in Frankston South on the outskirts of Melbourne. Judy grew up in an outdoorsy veterinary family with three passions: animals, art and books. After working as a veterinary nurse, then Front of House in a London theatre, she moved back to Australia and began learning about revegetation and Landcare, adding Australian plants and wildlife to her list of loves.

These led naturally to children’s book illustration and Judy’s work often features animals, and people’s close relationship with them, along with a touch of the theatre. She takes an experimental approach to new picture book projects, allowing ideas to cross-pollinate with her fine art practice, and often uses mixed media techniques, incorporating both computer and analogue elements in her finished work.

Judy’s illustration work has received awards including the Prime Minister’s Literary award in 2012 for her picture book ‘Goodnight, Mice!’ with Frances Watts, a CBCA Eve Pownall Award short-listing for her non-fiction picture book ‘Searching for Cicadas’ with Lesley Gibbes, and several CBCA notables. ‘Leonard Doesn’t Dance’ was selected by the International Youth Library for inclusion in the White Ravens Catalogue 2020. Illustrations for her latest book ‘When You’re Older’ with Sofie Laguna were shortlisted for the Bologna Children’s Book Fair illustrator exhibition and were included in the biennial Nami Concours.

Judy is currently writing her own stories, as well as illustrating. She enjoys black and white work as much as she loves colour.