Xa Shaw Stewart Illustrator and Editor from Edinburgh, Scotland
Xa Shaw Stewart is a book editor and illustrator who lives in Edinburgh. For many years she worked at Bloomsbury Publishing, and she is now using her skills to explore how books can become more accessible for all kinds of people. Her greatest pleasure is bringing plants, animals and objects to life using shellac ink and a paintbrush.
InstagramWhat brought you to your art/work?
I am very interested in the idea of perception, and how the way that images are projected from our eyes to our brains can affect who we are and how we experience the world. And also I just love painting lines with deep black ink.
studio work "robin"
How did you get the opportunity to participate in Cornelia's 'Artists in Residence Program’?
A wonderful friend mentioned my project ‘You Me Poetry' to Cornelia, and she kindly invited me to come to Fraggina. The project is about helping people living with dementia connect with their loved ones. It centres on reading poetry aloud – and researching ways to make book design and illustration more dementia-friendly. I am asking the question: what images are gentlest and most welcoming to look at if you have a dementia diagnosis?
studio work "apple"
How did you like your time at Fraggina? Did you find inspiration there?
It was a very special time. I felt so incredibly lucky to be given space to allow my hands to do the thinking. Whenever I get stuck now, I think back to the calmness of that studio – and its resident glowing spirit, Anne. I was also delighted to be in Fraggina at the same time as three young creators who had earned their place there thanks to a writing prize – they have so much to offer the world, and it was lovely spending time with them.
When it comes to inspiration, anyone who has been to Fraggina or has met Cornelia will know that every conversation with her is nourishing. Those discussions will leave you with concepts you want to consider over and over again; she is a storyteller who brings more than just words to life.
studio work "keys"
What did you take home from there?
Some free-flowing pieces of work, and many ideas.
