Kitty Dinners

Hi! I'm Katy and I work as a fulltime freelance Illustrator and workshop provider.

After studying and gaining an HND in 2D Animation from the Bournemouth and Poole College of Art and Design (now the Arts University Bournemouth) and brief ‘brushes’ with Aardman Animation, Warner Bros and Disney, I realised that my passion for ‘creating’ lay in the character design, story telling and setting the scene (sadly, not in the moving image).

So, moving swiftly sideways and having the extraordinary opportunity to work from home, I doggedly pursued a career in freelance Illustration. Managing a Gallery on a part-time basis, I illustrated in the remaining time, gaining and being recommended by clients such as Waterstones, J. Sainsburys, W F Graham, Hotch Potch, Washington Green and De Montfort and Cranfield Universities.

This work (along with personal recommendations) led to a 1 day a week work placement in a local Primary School as an Artist in Residence for 2 years. This amazing stroke of luck gave me the impetus, confidence and the finances, to finally ‘bite the bullet’ and freelance fulltime.

In doing so, I met and worked with many more clients from Harper Collins, Rocket, Folens, DC Thomson and co., Jellycat, Quick Brown Fox, Holy Mackerel, New Generation Publishing, Safe Dreams, Radwraps and LoveEurope.

I also work in collaboration with a variety of different Charities, from the Act Against Bullying Charity, the MS Trust, Winston’s Wish and UNICEF to, more recently, The Harpur Trust, Breakthrough Breast Cancer and The Children’s Sleep Charity.

Working as an illustrator at Sulby Gardens Open Days, has 'fed' my great passion for paper and textile materials; anything that I can use as 'canvases'- working on 'on their last legs' very very old dictionary paper, scrap wood and organic matter (I'm currently experimenting with working on some amazing birch bark). This has lead me to some very exciting discoveries!

I juggle my illustration work, with making greetings cards, murals and workshopping when I can, leading to a very fulfilled working life. I have also been asked to participate in many fairs, exhibitions and collaborations, where my work has also been well received.

In my 'spare' time, I can often be found reading, dreaming or outside, walking the surrounding fields and sketching in my gorgeous garden. Since moving to the Midlands, I have been lucky enough to just 'disappear into and absorb' this amazing countryside, always finding a little magic wherever I go!