Anne Ctharine Blake (Cathy)
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to my creative universe. I’m Cathy, embraced by young readers as Anne Catherine Blake and known to adult audiences for my short stories and poetry as A.C. Blake.
The journey I’ve undertaken as a writer, illustrator, and professor has been profoundly influenced by my childhood, crisscrossing between Ontario, Canada, and the Southern United States, as well as by my educational experiences. My time at Emily Carr University, coupled with an MA from Syracuse University, and an MFA (terminal degree) from the University of Hartford have been pivotal in shaping my creative life.
A TALE OF TWO CULTURES
Raised in the diverse cultures of Ontario, Canada, and the Southern United States, my life has been a journey through contrasting landscapes and narratives. The backdrop of my father’s acting career, alongside the literary influences of his friends like Carl Sandburg and Irving Layton, inspired my early love of storytelling.
However, it was the enduring encouragement of my Southern mother, and the artistic legacy of my Southern grandfather, a commercial artist, cartoonist, and painter, that truly nurtured my creative aspirations.
Childhood Farm & Carl Sandburg's Farm Influence
FINDING MY CREATIVE PATH
My father saw a future for me in acting, yet I was captivated by the serene world of books and illustrations. A defining moment came when a role meant for me was taken by Sondra Locke in 1966, clarifying my desire for a different form of expression. This quest for my own voice led to a revelation with “Mary Poppins” — a story I adored on screen had its origins in illustrated books, opening my eyes to the magic of storytelling on paper.
Visits to the Nashville Public Library, during stays with my Southern grandparents, became treasured escapes. There, amidst the quiet companionship of books, I befriended Buttercup, an imaginary mouse who became my confidant. These afternoons not only nourished my imagination but also steered me toward my calling as a writer and illustrator, reshaping my creative journey. And as for Buttercup, I like to think he continues to inspire creativity in young minds, just as he did in mine.
PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY
Since the 1980s, I have navigated the rich terrains of children’s literature, anthologies, comics, short stories, and poetry, spanning over a hundred topics. My role as a professor of illustration since 2006 has been incredibly rewarding, offering me the chance to guide and nurture emerging creative minds.
Over the year, some of my work has found a global audience, with translations into Spanish and Chinese bridging cultural gaps and connecting with readers worldwide. A notable example is the Chinese adaptation of “Josh’s Smiley Faces: A Story about Anger,” which beautifully illustrates the universal resonance of the emotions and themes in my work.
Typewriter purchased at 12 years old, Toronto, Canada
GUIDED BY GIANTS
Navigating the realms of creative expression, my journey has been deeply influenced by luminaries from both the past and present. The enduring spirits of Emily Carr, L.M. Montgomery, and Beatrix Potter, celebrated not just for their works but also for their profound connections to nature, have inspired both illustration and writing.
In more recent chapters of my career, the guidance and insights from mentors like Murray Tinkelman, Ted and Betsy Lewin, Lee Bennett Hopkins, Myra Cohn Livingston, and a memorable encounter with Maya Angelou, have further enriched my creative endeavors. Their lives and legacies, along with literary figures such as Sylvia Plath, Katherine Mansfield, and Robert Frost, have inspired a rich mosaic of storytelling.
Each story and illustration I create is a reflection of this collective inspiration, a homage to the giants whose connections to the natural world and the human condition continue to illuminate the path for us all.
RECENT INSPIRATION
On Christmas Eve 2022, I celebrated a deeply personal milestone amidst the serene beauty of Antarctica by marrying my partner. Our ceremony, surrounded by the pristine wilderness and witnessed by a unique gathering of penguins, seals, whales, along with a few close scientists and shipmates, was incredibly special.
This extraordinary experience in Antarctica’s untouched splendor has not only added a remarkable chapter to my life but has also sparked an immense wave of inspiration, fueling my passion for storytelling and the endless possibilities it brings to inspire and connect us all.
Blind Bay, Antacrtica, National Georaphic photographer, Alex Rubenstein
FINAL THOUGHTS
If the stories and art you’ve explored here have piqued your interest, whether it’s about my books, illustrations, speaking engagements, book signings, author events, or teaching, I’d love to hear from you.
Feel free to reach out with your thoughts or questions. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to connect and explore what we might create together.