Glenorchy-based Amandine Riera, creates art under the name of Dïne the Fox, working as an illustrator, a tattoo artist and a busy mum. She has illustrated a number of graphic novels and children’s books, weaving her love of nature and whimsy throughout her work.
Dïne’s recent collaboration with Alice Pearce Ruby Loud Mouse and the Ruru is a charming story of a mouse who doesn’t know the meaning of “silence”. But when her village comes under attack from a ruru, Ruby learns that sometimes being LOUD is the best thing to be.
“I’m incredibly nostalgic, and most of the books I love are deeply intertwined with specific moments in my life.”
Firstly, tell us a little bit about your creative life. Where do words and books fit in?
Illustrating stories started as a cozy tradition with my mom on rainy days. As I grew up, it has become my sanctuary. I’ve always been that quirky kid who’d rather spend the weekend drawing and crafting stories than going out. I was a voracious reader of graphic novels and illustrated books, constantly emptying out the library with my siblings every week. I’m captivated by the relationship between images and words. I am now mostly illustrating, but always loved writing too. I wrote my first book in 2019, a whimsical story about the weka of Pigeon Island, and have a few more stories in my pocket.
How did the opportunity to illustrate Ruby Loud Mouse come along? What was it like to combine talents with writer Alice Pearce?
I was approached for a trial first. The publisher asked me to conceptualize designs for both Ruby herself and the Ruru. I instantly liked these characters, and had a lot of fun breathing life into them through my illustrations. After my proposed designs for Ruby and Ruru were approved, the journey truly began. I storyboarded the entire narrative, seeking approval of both Alice and the publisher before embarking on the illustration process. This project was made as a full digital work, a first experience that challenged me.
Throughout the process, I maintained regular communication, sharing my progress with Alice, who graciously allowed me the freedom to infuse Ruby’s world with my own whimsical touches. Collaborating with her was a delightful experience.
To you, what is the book about?
Sometimes it’s really good to speak up and be loud. For me, this book is all about embracing your true self and finding your place in the world while staying authentically you. It’s a lesson that took me a long time to learn in my own life, so getting the chance to illustrate this story brought me immense joy.
What have you been reading lately? Got anything lined up for the winter months?
As a busy mom at home, I had very little time to read novels those past 3 years. I am trying to finish the third tome of Wildwood Chronicles written by Colin Meloy and beautifully illustrated by his wife, the talented Carson Ellis. Then I’d love to read The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon. I actually started it as an audio book. I am traveling often on the Glenorchy-Queenstown road, and I thought, why not make the most of this time by listening to some books? But actually fantasy books might not be the easiest to listen to. My latest graphic novel acquisition was The Golden Age, by Roxanne Moriel and Cyril Pedrosa, a little gem. I also read in French, Les Riches Heures de Jacominus Gainsborough, a wonderfully illustrated story by Rebecca Dautremer, and I cried at the end. I also read tons of children’s books with my son. Our latest favourites are:
- Du iz tak? by Carson Ellis
- Beyond the Burrow by Jessica Meserve
- Two Little Bugs by Mark Sommerset
What’s your desert island book?
Is it even possible to answer this question? I mean, choosing just one book feels almost impossible! The thought of it is quite intimidating, to be honest. If I had to narrow it down, I’d probably struggle between His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman, the series of novels that opened a whole new world to me as a child, and Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb, a companion throughout my university years. I’m incredibly nostalgic, and most of the books I love are deeply intertwined with specific moments in my life.
