Artist Review - Neha Rawat Jan 26 2022

Starting 2022 off strong, we are highlighting Award Winning children's book illustrator Neha Rawat, as our Featured Artist for February. Her work throughout the past year has been remarkable, and her up and coming Harper Collins title is one to watch for in 2022! Neha is a children’s book illustrator from India who actually began as an engineer. Her passion for art and visual storytelling led her away from that and into the world of illustration work. 

"I love character and story driven illustrations which evoke a definite emotion in the viewer. I’m inspired by the small everyday things in the world around me, especially relationships, pets, emotions and nature."

She loves moving around and finding inspiration from the world around her. Having that creative freedom allowed her to win the grand prize of the SCBWI Summer Portfolio Showcase in 2020. Being an award winning illustrator, Neha has worked on many titles such as The Storyteller of Ketu (UK) and World Travellers (USA). And her list of titles will only keep growing!

"I am currently working on a picture book titled 'Masala Chai, Fast and Slow' written by Rajani LaRocca and due to be published by Candlewick Press in 2023. With this story, I have the opportunity to illustrate and showcase the beauty of the Indian culture and heritage through the loving bond shared between a boy and his grandfather and the process of making tea."

She is looking forward to her upcoming titles like “Masala Chai, Fast and Slow” and more! When asked what her most important work has been so far, she brought up her new celebrity title she has in the works!

"A picture book titled 'The Totally NOT Wicked Stepmother' written by three-time Emmy nominee Samantha Berger and due to be published by HarperCollins Children’s Books in fall of 2022. The full creative freedom and trust I received from a Big Five publishing house has definitely been the most exciting, challenging, motivating and important project of my career so far. I’m looking forward to it’s release and response from the readers."

We at Advocate are proud of the trust she has built with publishers and all of her successes. Neha also shared her thoughts on the agency:

"The agents at Advocate have helped me realise my strength as an illustrator and have encouraged me to create illustrations highlighting my authentic voice and cultural background."

We strive to Advocate for expressing authentic voices in our artists just like Neha has achieved. She has proven time and again her talent and we cannot wait to see more in the future!

Interested in seeing more? Click HERE to see Neha's full portfolio!