Hello there!
My name is Alison Mutton and I'm an illustrator based in Perth, Western Australia. I hold a BA with Honours in Design from Curtin University; I majored in Illustration, but I also do design work. I specialise in children's illustration, including fairytale-style fantasy and historically-inspired illustration, but I can produce almost anything if I put my mind to it. I've never been beaten by a commission yet!
I've been drawing for as long as I could hold a pencil, and was fascinated by stories and books even before that, so the opportunity to combine these passions, along with helping children’s literacy (something I was brought up with, surrounded by teachers) is one of the most fabulous things I can imagine. I relish each new job as a chance to expand my skills and perhaps try something that I have never done before. I'm happy using a variety of media (sometimes all in the same piece) – pencil, watercolour, coloured pencil, ink, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Fresco, Adobe Illustrator and Procreate. I'm allergic to oil paint, so that's one medium I steer clear of! Most of my work is digital.
When I'm not drawing, I like to read, play the piano, needle-felt, watch old movies, and I'm learning the Lindy Hop! My cavoodle Myrna makes sure I step away from my desk every day and get some exercise too.
Have questions? Try my FAQ!
With over a decade of experience, I have worked with a number of publishers and self publishers. I have worked on over 100 books for ReadyEd Publications, and have been illustrating picture books since 2014, when I illustrated Sioban Timmer’s Toughen Up, Princess for Jasper Press. In 2016 I self-published The Literary Romance Colouring Book and illustrated Ian Andrew’s poetry book The Little Book of Silly Rhymes and Odd Verses which was reviewed in The West Australian.
Many books later, more recently in 2020 I illustrated Poopy Pants, written by Dale Thomas and published by Albert Street Books, and the cover for Story Magic by Laurel Gale, published by Jolly Fish Press. Also in 2020 a series of my illustrations was published in the ED! section of The West Australian, to illustrate the serialised version of HM Waugh’s The Lost Stone of Sky City, for which I had provided the cover in 2019. In 2021 I worked on three books for Brightwater, as part of an initiative to help children who’s parents have suffered traumatic brain injury, and a kid’s book about electrical safety for Western Power.
Happy Clients
Alison Mutton’s artistry speaks for itself.
I was pleased with her ability to interpret my request accurately.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Alison and her work.
— Barbara Gurney
Thanks for helping so much with my first project, you’ve helped make things so much more straightforward than I could have hoped.
— Reece Wood
Amazing A-z
A BIG THANK YOU for all your wonderful, illustrative work Alison.
Our books would be dull without you!!
— ReadyEd Publications
Without doubt, Alison Mutton is a talented artist. She is also a thoughtful and imaginative illustrator sensitive to the nuances of the text with which is is working. We asked her for illustrations for a children's picture book and she produced a terrific series of drawings, while working to a very short time line. She also provided the typography and page layouts. Despite being under time pressure, Alison consulted with us at all stages of production and responded promptly and skillfully to our queries, comments and requests.
We were very pleased with the resulting picture book, and recommend Alison most highly.
— Chalkface Press
My clients include
Allen and Unwin, Albert Street Books, Fremantle Press, ReadyEd Publications, Jolly Fish Press, Jasper Books, Brightwater, Western Power, Ginninderra Press, Behrman House, Mitr Learning, Chalkface Press, Burswood Health, Evoke Media, Book Reality, Kelmscott Agricultural Society, Quality Publishing Australia, FutureTrack Australia and numerous private clients.
RECENT Publications
2024
Friends to the Rescue by Ellen Schwartz: Behrman House Publishers
Tom’s Lullaby by Michael Maxwell: Vertical Road Productions
Emily’s Day by Michael Maxwell: Vertical Road Productions
Josie’s a Stickler for Stickers by Beverley Knezevic: Author Publication
Sparky and the Zappy Tap: Western Power (Coming mid 2024)
Bratty Britches by Tricia Gardella (Coming late 2024)
Mavey & Beth’s Double Act 2: The Stud Squad by Kristy Nita Brown (Coming late 2024)
There’s a Crocodile in My Sandpit by Nicole Labout (Coming late 2024)
2023
Mavey & Beth’s Double Act 1: Where’s my Whistle by Kristy Nita Brown: Spritely Press
Brody Knows It’s Time by Tricia Gardella: Author Publication
Rosie and Teddy by Katrina Coghlan: Author Publication
One Choice, One Life: ReadyEd Publications Online
Constance, Chief and the Blind Spot Blunder by Julie Lavender: Author Publication
2022
My Soul Treasure by Kate Searle: Kate’s Soul Treasures
Little Dune by Lisa Van Der Wielen: Author Publication
Benjamin James Investigates by Beverley Knezevic: Author Publication
Looking for Lily by Kristy Nita Brown: Author Publication
Find Your Treasure by Kate Searle: Kate’s Soul Treasures
Emily’s Walk by Michael Maxwell: Vertical Road
Tom’s Lullaby by Michael Maxwell: Vertical Road
2021
The Get Around by Robyn Bett & Jeneva Ohan: Brightwater Care Group / Fremantle Press
Jordan’s Mum by Jeneva Ohan & Robyn Bett: Brightwater Care Group / Fremantle Press
Ground Control by Jeneva Ohan & Robyn Bett: Brightwater Care Group / Fremantle Press
Jacob’s 19 Nincompoopal Numbers by Beverley Knezevic: Author Publication
The Surfing Saint by Benjamin Fraser: Aurora Publishing (Out soon)
Aqua Dog Flames by Lisa Van Der Wielen: Author Publication
The Courageous Caiman / The Dedicated Dhole by Reece Wood: Amazing A-Z (Out late 2021)
Sparky and the Electrical Pillar by Kate Vyvyan: Western Power (Out late 2021)
My Soul Treasure by Kate Searle: Author Publication (Out late 2020)
2020
It Takes Patience by Idan Ravin: Author Publication
The Lost Stone of SkyCity by H M Waugh: WA Newspapers (Abridged Serialised Version)
Story Magic by Laurel Gale: Jolly Fish Press
Poopy Pants (and Potty Rants) by Dale Thomas: Albert Street Books
The Astonishing Agouti / The Brave Binturong by Reece Wood: Amazing A-Z
2019
Aquadog by Lisa Van Der Wielen: Author Publication
Clancy the Quokka by Lili Wilkinson: Allen and Unwin
The Lost Stone of SkyCity by HM Waugh: Fremantle Press (Cover)
The Life of Gus by Lisa Van Der Weilen and Stacey Fraticelli: Ronald McDonald House Charities Western Australia (Graphic Design Only)
Online Classroom: Bullying is Not Okay: ReadyEd Publications
2018
Alexander's Day by Beverley Knezevic: Author Publication
STEM Year 6: ReadyEd Publications
STEM Year 1: ReadyEd Publications
The Balance of Emptiness: Book Reality
I Hate Spiders: Mitr Learning
I Help My Family: Mitr Learning
TELEPAS 6-7: Publisher Unstated When Hired
Online Classroom: Geography Year 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6: ReadyEd Publications
Media Arts 5-6: ReadyEd Publications
Design and Technology 1-2: ReadyEd Publications
Design and Technology 3-4: ReadyEd Publications
STEM 3-4: ReadyEd Publications