About Cecily Salt
Sketchbooking
Whatever I’m up to, there is usually a sketchbook lurking in my pocket. Not always out in the open, but akin to carrying headache pills – I’m a self medicating scribbler.
Sketching has always been my way to process my thoughts, I am a visual learner. This may be recording my experiences, observations of people and places, or just whileing away a train journey. And should I ever get the delicious chance for a longer uniterrupted doodle, a flow state can evolve and those visual thoughts can begin to grow and mutate into something more unique and potent.
Cosy Up Reading
When my two were little, reading at bedtime, as I’m sure is the case for lots of people, was not really about learning to read but an opportunity to cosy up, reaffirm a feeling of security and also hopefully wind them down enough to get to sleep.
In a cozy, loving setting, sitting together every evening, letting imaginations run wild in a range of amazing books – letting the words and pictures take us all over the place was a great experience for them and me.
Remembering those precious years is never far from my thoughts as I embark on creating such books for future generations of readers and listeners.
My First Career in Animation - The Moving Image Years
RSA Student Design Awards
1992 whilst studying Animation at West Surrey College of Art & Design, I won the animation category for a film called SOAP about the perils of not using eco friendly washing powder. It featured on a World Wildlife Fund compilation of environmental shorts, Ecotoons.
Film BAFTA Nomination 2003
Channel 4 commissioned Wedding Espresso – Short animated film I designed and created.
I didn’t actually win a Bafta, but it was a pretty amazing party!
Royal College of Art
Placement with Phillips Research Labs, Research into Agent Based Interactive Drama. I subsequently made Ladies Excuse-Me! – Interactive Animation, a Playful branching story drawn in a fluid animation style (in Macromedia Director). Video Positive, Manchester 1997, Best Interactive Student Work.
Animation, A World History V3
I am mentioned (Sandra Ensby) in this compendium noted for the channel4 commissions I made while at Sherbet Animation Studios, namely Fast Spin Fling and Wedding Espresso.
Fast Spin Fling – Best short film Avança 2001, Special Mention, Sienna Short Film Festival 2001.
Girls in Love – Granada Kids
Jacqueline Wilsons books were adapted for Children’s Television Series using animation mixed with the live action –
I worked closely with the screenwriter and directors to devise and deliver animated elements for each episode.
Poetry Films
The Royal Oak a Random Acts, commissioned by Channel4 2012 – Animated Poetry film with poet Benedict Newbery
Purbeck Film Festival 2013 –shortlist.
Ludlow Open 2013 – screened The Royal Oak as part of a rural
contemporary showcase.
Filmpoem, Dunbar 2013 opening flm
Cul de Sac – Animated Poetry flm with Benedict Newbery 2008
Zebra Poerty Film festival – shortlisted 2008
24th International Short Film Festival, Berlin
It was shortlisted for the Purbeck Short Film Festival 2009
See The Voice: VISIBLE VERSE 10th Anniversary Celebration & Festival,
Vancouver, Canada.
October 2010 Poesifestival Oslo
British Animation Award
Short film made for Amnesty International called Measles – co-director with Yasmeen Ismail and written by Lisle Turner.
British Animation Award 2008, Public Choice. Best of British Animation Awards 7 DVD
Screened live at the Secret Policeman’s Ball for Amnesty International in the Albert Hall 2007
And now Illustration
I was born Sandra Ensby, then married and became a Salter. As I began to develop my illustration work i felt a new identity might free me up to think fresher, a clean slate.
I picked my granny’s first name Cecily and the truncated Salt fitted neatly on the end. So I’m still linked to my history, and my children – who are little Salters.
Creative Strands
I have had several brushes in arts disciplines, beginning in childhood with ballet and dance including 18 months at Arts Educational School, Tring Park – ballet gave way to art which then evolved into animation at the Royal College of Art. My younger adult years I spent in London working in new media and the animation industry. As parenthood kicked in there seemed to be a constant need for greetings cards and presents so I taught myself screen printing as a way to fulfill this.
So despite accruing a variety of skills from making short films to running a shop – I just needed to go a bit further to scratch an itch, to channel all I’d learnt so far into one clear path – and that is where illustration for childrens picture books comes in.
Onwards
So here I am now relaunching myself as an illustrator, It’s early days but the new era has certainly begun for Cecily Salt.
Stay In Touch
Meet my agent Lucie Luddington lucie@luddingtoncreative.co.uk
Or reach out to me at hello@cecilysalt.uk