Thea Whittington
Thea began to paint and draw while travelling extensively in China in the 1990s, enjoying the rich diversity of people and landscapes there, and took lessons in traditional Chinese painting while living and working in Beijing. On returning to England she studied to gain a degree in Illustration at the Cambridge School of Art, while developing skills as a printmaker as a member of a lively workshop in Suffolk.

Before pursuing a career as an artist she obtained degrees in law and theology and worked as a barrister. She also plays the flute. She enjoys working with children -- most recently painting a mural with a group of Yi minority children of one of their traditional stories on their school wall in Sichuan. This wide-ranging background has formed a belief in the importance of the role of narrative -- visual, literary and musical -- and of the imagination. And those early days of travelling around China have given her a continuing interest in cross-cultural and environmental themes.

Thea lives in Hong Kong surrounded by jungle with a husband, two sons and two beagles. They all like to walk in the hills of Hong Kong whenever possible.

Books by Thea Whittington
The Dragon's Back

Author's Website