I love designing and illustrating endpapers. Here are two examples. Often, it is a chance for the illustrator to add embellishment and symbolism to the story.
In 'Auntie Ellie's Beach House', there is mention of a seahorse skeleton tangled in seaweed, yet there was limited room within the layout to illustrate it. By placing
the image in the endpapers, it became
a visual touchstone; an echo of the text.
For 'Aunty Edna of Duck Creek Pond',
I considered several concepts but kept returning to the idea of Elizabethan pattern.
A Romeo and Juliet tale with a twist,
it seemed a nod to that period was fitting.
Referencing Elizabethan blackwork embroidery produced a repeat design that worked across the double page spread.
In fact, the publisher decided to continue
it over to a third facing page.
Whilst its significance may not be obvious,
it was fun to create and feels just a little
bit opulent.