Thanks for taking a look at my latest pictures. These images are combinations of ink, paint and digital drawing tools.
For the last twenty-five-plus years, I have been the sole illustator of the classic Paddington Bear books in all formats by Michael Bond. I’ve also illustrated over two hundred other books in a wide range of formats for a wide range of authors, including nine books of my own stories, and designed characters and sets for the stage.
Recently, I’ve been writing and illustrating a factual-fiction series of books describing the occupations of the anthropomorphic inhabitants of a town called Breezy Valley. I’m happy to write that they have found publishing homes worldwide.
I have received a Geisel Honor Award, a Washington Post Best Book of the Year notice and numerous starred reviews from Kirkus, SLJ and PW. My work has been shortlisted for the Cybils Graphic Novel Award and the Smarties Prize (UK). It’s also been included on many Junior Library Guild and state reading awards lists, as well as on the NY Times Best Seller list. My original artwork has been featured at the Eric Carle Museum (US), the House of Illustration (London) and at various other venues in the UK and Japan. It’s safe to say, my pictures have travelled more widely than their creator. Am I jealous? Maybe.
I love visiting schools and drawing with kids. Adults are okay to talk to, too. I’ve taught at RISD and appeared at many bookstores and literary conferences, from Nantucket to LA. Today, Rhode Island is home for me and my wife, the author Zoë B. Alley, where we have learned to appreciate coffee milk and to call a water fountain a “bubbler.”
R. W. Alley is represented by Stephanie Fretwell-Hill.
