Most of us like animals, don’t we? We often even identify with a particular kind and see others through that lens. They’re always great drawing subjects. I’ve noticed boys tend to draw spiders, snakes, tigers and dinosaurs – the more dangerous, scary creatures (must be the testosterone :P). Girls more often reach for cute, cuddly beings.

Of course this isn’t a rule; it’s just a frequent pattern. History shows our perception of certain animals is strongly shaped by social and religious context.

Animals have always inspired us. They’re an important strand in our cultural fabric—not only for adults but especially for children. Our relationship with them has shifted drastically through history yet remained significant. We know this because animal imagery appears already in prehistory and is still beloved today. They play a meaningful role across cultures worldwide.

Religion has also shaped how we view and depict them. We often use animals for self-reflection—metaphors for human traits. Through stories and illustrations they become close friends to children and powerful teaching tools for explaining complex behaviours in a gentle, engaging way, even helping us question stereotypes.

I’m no different. I love painting animals too—usually placing them in a cosy floral or slightly surreal setting. Christianity historically divided animals into good and bad. Appearance often dictated character: pretty animals deemed cute and good; fearsome-looking ones labelled bad—sometimes entirely at odds with their true nature.

Linked to that, I often choose to paint the gentler, kind creatures—the “girly” side, perhaps—because in most of my illustrations I seek tenderness, kindness, sensitivity, a feminine softness: everything that awakens warm feelings. I hope children recognise good friends in them.

One thing is certain: however we perceive animals—good, bad, strong, magical, scary, cuddly—they will always remain a vast source of inspiration for illustrators, children and everyone else.

Read more: Animals in illustration