New Artist: Sam Mallac
15 September 2026
We are delighted to welcome Sam Mallac to the Hive!
Based in South-East London, Sam has spent years working as a TV producer before returning to her first love of Illustration. Inspired by character, humour and the warmth of classic children's books and cartoons her bold, character-led work is particularly suited to picture books, editorial illustration and playful, imaginative projects.
Let's get to know Sam a little better.
Please can you tell us where you are from and where do you currently live and work? Has this affected your work?
I live in South East London and work from home, generally from my kitchen table. I love working from home but also try to make an effort to get out to sketch and see exhibitions - most recently the opening of the new House of Illustration.
What inspired you to be an illustrator?
I have always loved to draw and would say it's a part of who I am. Of course, 80s cartoons and picture books were incredible - She Ra, Care Bears, Fraggle Rock, Nick Sharratt, Judith Kerr, Quentin Blake - it must have all sunk into my subconscious!
How long have you been working as an illustrator?
Only a short time professionally. I was previously a TV producer, which I loved, but found it was a hugely incompatible industry to be in if you wanted a family life, which I did! My degree was in illustration, as part of the graphic design course at (what was) Norwich School of Art and Design, and I always maintained an artistic practice so it was an obvious (if not easy) step away from TV.
How would you describe your illustration style?
Character-led, bold, funny sometimes.
Who/What have been your key influences as an illustrator?
Sara Ogilvie is my number 1 favourite. I adore her sensitive and charming characters, the interactions between adults and children, the movement she injects into scenes and her use of texture. Other favourites are Benji Davis, Adam Stower, Luna Pan, Felicita Sala, Sara Arosio, Fran Meneses, Joe Todd-Stanton and Guilherme Karsten. I'm often buying children's books under the guise of giving them as presents to my kids… but they're always for me.
What type of projects, clients, or illustration markets would you like to work in?
Picture books and chapter books would be my ideal market, as well as editorial illustrations for children's magazines. I adore Okido and Anorak and would be so thrilled to make work for them. I also love the freedom of adult editorial work, as so often you can suspend the physical universe and get a little more abstract. In a similar vein, I am keen to get into mural/window painting.
What do you like doing when you are not illustrating?
I have two school-age daughters so a lot of my time is taken up with them. I love speculative fiction novels, running, yoga, crosswords. I also work occasionally as a sub-editor for national newspapers - I'm a true word-nerd and love fixing copy!
What would be your dream project?
I'm so happy making work for anything. It's the thing I love to do most and getting to do it for a career is a dream.
