The work of twin artists Anne and Janet Grahame Johnstone is absolutely delightful and widely collected, and probably very familiar to anyone who grew up in the 60s, 70s or 80s. The twins were born on 1 June 1928 to the painter and stage designer, Doris Zinkeisen, and her husband, Grahame Johnstone, a director of Johnnie Walker whisky and a captain in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve.

The Johnstone sisters’ popularity took off in the early 1950s, when they acquired a reputation as talented illustrators. They always worked together, passing drawings back and forth across their studio until both twins were satisfied with the final outcome. Janet specialised in animals and birds, while Anne focused on the period costumes that were a key feature of their work. Janet and Anne were also involved in a number of programmes for British television, including Charlie the Cat, the Flower Pot Men, Tai Lu, Andy Pandy, and adventures of the cowboy Ross Salmon, which also produced spin-off publications.

Tragically, Janet died as a result of smoke inhalation following a fire in the kitchen in 1979. Anne found herself unexpectedly responsible for the entire business previously shared with her sister, yet managed to honour all of their outstanding commissions. Anne continued to work on her own in the 1980s and 90s, right up until a few days before her death on 25 May 1998.