I’m a freelance illustrator based in Chorlton, Manchester. I’ve made a living from my art for the past 37 years. Originally from Shirebrook a small mining village in Derbyshire, I studied at Chesterfield College of Art and Design where I found my love of illustration and design. 

 

In 1983 I moved up to Manchester to work as an animator in children’s television for five years before going freelance. Since then I have worked freelance as an illustrator for children’s books and my work has been published worldwide.

 

For the past few years I’ve been developing a new look with my style and I now love licensing my illustrations for products, textiles, wall art, cards and gift wrap. I’m always producing new work and I have a head and sketch books full of ideas.

 

All my work is hand- drawn and painted in gouache, felt-tip pens and coloured pencils in a messy way. I then scan and play around in photoshop. All my work is created in layers so changes can easily be made.

 

My tiny home and studio is on the edge of chorlton meadows/nature reserve so with beautiful wildlife and plants  all around I’m never short of inspiration!

I’ve just set up an Instagram feed so I can sometimes post work in progress, little experimental pieces, work just published, as well as plenty of cat photos. A little journal of my creative life!

 

I can’t think of anything better I’d rather do than go into my studio everyday followed by Blue (Beebee) my rescue cat, radio on, paintbrush in hand, coffee and biscuits at the ready and paint all day.

 

I love to work to a commission/brief and to develop ideas with an art director so please email me if you need to see more of my work or ask any questions.

 

My recent clients include:

One Hundred 80 Degrees (Homewares & Tableware collection launched USA January 2022)

Familius Books (non-fiction picture book publishing 2023)

Wentworth Puzzles (publishing 2022)

Buffalo Games USA (publishing 2023)

Kidsbooks Publishing USA (publishing 2023)

Froebel South Korea (non-fiction picture book publishing 2022)

Plumleaf Press

Museums and Galleries

Oxfam

Flowerpot Press (various picture books and sing a long books publishing 2022)

Otter House

Jelly Cat Toys

Cross Stitch Crazy Magazine

David Watson Designs

The World of Cross Stitching Magazine

Goldleaf Needlework

Pattern Weights

Mouse and Magpie

Child’s Play International

Lion Hudson,

Mom Books

Silag Germany

Usborne

North Parade Publishing,

Blue Rabbit Korea

Design House Greetings

Miles Kelly

iseek

Hinkler

Decowall

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