Past, Present & Future
I graduated in 2010 from The Northern School of Art with a first class degree in BA (Hons) Textiles and Surface Pattern Design.
A spot of freelancing, a few work placements and an unpaid internship later, I side stepped into graphic design, photography and marketing and worked creatively for several businesses until 2017.
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Craving more creativity and the opportunity to paint and draw more, I decided to set up my own illustration business.
Starting with handmade gifts featuring my own textiles prints and watercolour designs on greetings cards; I did my rounds of local fairs and art markets. All the time honing in on my painting skills and learning what customers like.
I enjoyed designing for other businesses too during this time and opened my books for surface pattern and illustration projects for other brand’s products and packaging.
Since having my daughter, I have fallen in love with the world of story telling through picture books; an area of illustration I had yet to explore.
I have recently completed online courses to investigate my style, including: The Goodship Illustration Picture Book Course and Make Art That Sells, Illustrating for Children’s Picture Books.
This was a great introduction kid lit art and since completing, I have focused on creating portfolio pieces for this market.
Proudly Represented for Art Licensing by
Suzanne Cruise Creative Services
For art buyers and art directors looking for highly creative and trend driven artwork to license for manufactured product lines, my art licensing portfolio can be viewed by registering on the Suzanne Cruise Creative Services website.
More about Suzanne can be found here, but in a nutshell:
An industry leader in art licensing for decades, Suzanne Cruise Creative Services (SCCS) matches the right licensee client with the artwork they are dreaming of for their upcoming product ranges. Suzanne Cruise Creative Services, Inc work together with art directors and art buyers to find art for: Books, Calendars, Canvas Tote Bags, Decorative Pillows, Dinner Ware, Embroidery Cards, Fabric Kits, Flags, Greeting Cards, Gift Bags, Hand Painted Ornaments, Home Decor, Lighted Glass Lamps, Mats and Rugs, Napkins, Over The Counter Fabric, Puzzles, Stretched Canvas, Tableware, Table Runners, Wall Decor,Yard Signs and Mailbox Covers, as well as many other categories!
Seeking Picture Book Illustration
/ Literary Agent
Open to children’s picture book texts, middle grade, non-fiction illustration work: botanical / nature / animals / insects / mini beasts / the world / sea creatures / the ocean.
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I have also been developing my own picture book ideas and have 4 manuscripts, some of which are at thumbnail or dummy book stage. I am keen to share these with an agency that represents Author-Illustrators as much as I am excited to work on the projects of other authors too.
I do still love all things botanical and floral, however, so I am particularly interested in creating picture books with environmentally friendly themes and issues surrounding well-being; stories that promote wildlife, nature and being outside as much as possible for young readers.
Also, stories which gently introduce understanding about neuro-diversities and offer support and ideas are also on my personal wish list of illustration.
A Few of My Favourite Things
Second hand clothes, gardening, growing tomatoes and herbs, summer salads with edible flowers, arranging flowers, terracotta plant pots, white and blue pottery (especially when found on the shore), sea glass, texture in painting, collage, animals of all kinds, live music, connecting people, family, singing, my 10am coffee ritual.