About the artist
Arnrid Banniza Johnston, born in Uddevalla, Sweden, received her education in London at Blackheath School. She remained in London from 1913 to 1920, studying at the Slade School of Fine Art. During the 1930s, Johnston ventured into poster design for the Underground Group and London Transport, which led her to pursue illustration. Over the span of two decades, she authored and/or illustrated over twenty books, with a strong focus on animals, extensively researching her subjects. Some notable titles include 'Animal Families' (1939), 'Animals We Use' (1948), and 'Fables From Aesop and Others' (1944), published by Country Life, Methuen, and Transatlantic Arts respectively. Sadly, her declining eyesight in later years curtailed her illustration career. H.J. Blackham noted in her obituary that Johnston's robust and generous personality resonated with her many friends, much like the character she imbued into her animal illustrations.
