Mique Moriuchi
In 1997 Mique Moriuchi graduated from Norwich School of Art, followed by a Masters in Sequential Design and Illustration at the University of Brighton. She also studied woodcutting in Japan, an influence that is clearly present in her work today.
Her beautifully crafted pictures are created by acrylic paint and collage. She especially loves colour, paper and pattern. This decorative style has lent itself perfectly to children’s book illustration. She finds inspiration in animals, people, the sea, sunlight, snow, trees, walking, food, the countryside and the city, nature programs, books, music and films.
Mique’s work is so versatile that she has even made some small handmade toys of her characters. These have proven to be too irresistible for some children’s publishers, who have tried to sneak them away after a meeting!
Mique’s style has a very international appeal. Her recent book, My Village, for the New Zealand publisher, Gecko Press, has been selected for the White Raven Award 2009. The White Raven label is given to books that deserve worldwide attention because of their universal themes and/or their exceptional and often innovative and literary style and design. This collection of rhymes from all over the world introduces English speaking children to cultural stories from a diverse range of countries – Norway, Zimbabwe, Switzerland, China and Brazil – each captured beautifully by Mique’s colourful illustrations.
Mique’s other picture books include Goodnight Prayers for Lion Hudson (sold worldwide) Butterfly Girl, Talk Peace and That’s Love. Mique also works for the card and gifts industry and has produced some non-fiction tiles, Just One Peaceful Pond and Just One Quiet Pine Tree, for Walker Books.
Mique’s work was also selected for this year’s prestigious Illustration Exhibition at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2009.