Acclaimed paper artist Elly MacKay is the author/illustrator of our feature book this month, Red Sky at Night. Her previous books have included If You Hold a Seed, Shadow Chasers and Waltz of the Snowflakes. Elly studied print making and illustration at art school. Her technique for creating her illustrations is quite detailed. First she inks her characters and the backgrounds on Yupo paper. Then cuts out the layers and sets them up in her miniature theatre. She lights the scenes and takes multiple photographs, altering the lenses, light and filters to create atmosphere. Elly takes her inspiration from Victoria Paper Theatre and Tunnel Books. She lives in Owen Sound, Ontario, with her husband and two children.

MARMALADE BOOKS: Can you tell us a bit about your childhood, growing up with parents who were artists? Did they inspire you to become an artist?