ABOUT
Natelle is a Malaysian-born illustrator who grew up in New Zealand, and now lives in leafy Southeast England with her husband and their rescue cat, Patch.
Natelle currently focuses on children’s illustration, in particular picture books, young fiction, and non-fiction. She loves to use bold colours and cinematic perspectives to draw audiences into her worlds. Working digitally, her illustrations often revolve around real life themes commingled with fantastical adventures. Natelle draws from constant evolving influences, from popular culture, to her heritage and personal experiences, through to the natural world.
In her free time Natelle loves to explore nature trails with her husband, track down delicious pastries from around the world, and tend to her house plants.
Got a project in mind? Let's work together! For enquiries related to children’s picture books, non-fiction, middle grade/young fiction, and YA, please contact Natelle’s agent Alice Williams at Alice Williams Literary Agency. For all other enquiries related to custom commissions and art licencing, please drop Natelle an email at natelle.quek@gmail.com
HONOURS
Aug 2023 – Shortlisted (I Am Nefertiti) Teach Early Years Awards
May 2023 – Shortlisted (I Am Nefertiti) Leeds Book Awards
Apr 2023 – Shortlisted (I Am Nefertiti) Little Rebels Award
Jan 2020 – One of three awarded SCBWI BIPOC Women’s Scholarship
Nov 2019 – Winner of SCBWI BI “Beginning, Middle and End” Winchester Conference Illustrator Competition
FEATURES & EXHIBITIONS
Mar 2024 - Featured Illustrator for the Summer Reading Challenge by The Reading Agency
Apr 2023 – SCBWI BI Words & Pics: REPRESENTATION Earth Day
Oct 2022 – Power In Numbers Exhibition, Nucleus Gallery Portland, OR
Jun 2022 – Booktrust Blog: We Live in a Wonderful Multicultural World
Feb 2022 – Bologna Children’s Book Fair Illustrator’s Virtual Wall
Feb 2022 – SCBWI BI Words & Pics: REPRESENTATION New Lunar Year
Nov 2021 – Power In Numbers Exhibition, Nucleus Gallery Portland, OR
Aug 2020 – SCBWI Bulletin Summer 2020 edition
May 2020 – Bologna Children’s Book Fair Illustrator’s Virtual Wall
May 2020 – SCBWI BI Words & Pictures Featured Illustrator of the Month
Apr 2020 – SCBWI BI Words & Pictures: BIPOC Women’s Scholarship
Jan 2020 – SCBWI Featured Illustrator of the Month
My desk; tools I use include Procreate App, iPad Pro, and Photoshop CC
Studio space (spot our cat, Patch!)