Jan Bowman trained as an architect and now draws pictures for a living. Her work celebrates the best of 21st-century civilisation. Originally from Scotland via Canada, she lives in England with the Old Boot and two cats.

Her children’s book, THIS IS BIRMINGHAM, comes out on 10 December 2009. View sample pages here. Read The Guardian's review here. Buy the book here on Amazon.

“Jan’s book is a deceptively simple, yet beautifully illustrated journey along the canals and through the back alleys of Birmingham’s rich history… from the Enlightenment through to the Industrial Revolution, ably guided via the Lunaticks, without whom this dynamic cultural melting pot we Brummies call home would be a very different place.

“This book will be top of my list not only for children this Christmas, but also for the grown-up kids still playing hide-and-seek in those back alleys.”

If you want to buy a print of any of Jan's drawings (prices start at £15 plus postage), or would like to commission one, please email or call on +44 794 096 4814.