I'm Katherine, an illustrator based in Somerset, UK. I love to draw and I use a mix of both traditional and digital media to create my pencil illustrations, always with a focus on detail.

I became interested in narrative illustration and children's books while studying Visual Communication at university in Birmingham. After graduating, I completed a residency in Illustration in the School of Visual Arts in New York. Shortly afterwards, I worked with independent publisher of local Scottish stories, 'Serafina Press' and in 2012 my first children's book was published. I completed a second title with them in 2014.

In 2022, I decided to write and illustrate my own children's book project, 'Molly's First Festival', based on my own experiences as a festival-going mum. I self-published this in June 2023 after running a successful crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. The book has since been featured on the children's TV channel CBeebies, and has had a number of live readings at festivals, including Glastonbury, Camp Bestival and Valleyfest.

Beside my illustration work, I also practice as an art teacher, running the 'Polden Art Club' where I teach observational drawing and sketchbook classes. I was also the Head of Programme at Clayhill Arts, from 2020 to 2022, where I designed their curriculum of creative workshops, and am passionate about the importance of the creative arts in education.

If you would like to commission work or simply get in touch, please email: info@katherineoshea.co.uk

EDUCATION
2011 / School of Visual Arts in New York, Summer Residency,
‘Illustration and Visual Storytelling: Art and Industry’ – Grade AAA
2007 - 2010 / Birmingham Institute of Art and Design, ‘BA Visual Communication (Illustration) – 1st Class Honours
2006 - 2007 / Central Saint Martins, ‘Foundation Degree in Art & Design’- BTEC

CHILDREN'S BOOKS
2023 / ‘Molly's First Festival’, Author/Illustrator, Mollypop Publishing
2014 / ‘The Sailing Bear of the East Neuk’, Illustrator, Serafina Press
2012 / ‘The Lion of St Andrews’, Illustrator, Serafina Press

LINKS
www.mollysfirstfestival.com / Website for 'Molly's First Festival' my crowdfunded children's book, as featured on CBeebies
homeware.katherineoshea.co.uk / Website for my bespoke homeware designs, winner of the Country Living Kitchen Table Talent award
Ikon Images Licensing / Licensing agency portfolio
Polden Art Club / My group for private art classes
Instagram
LinkedIn
Facebook - The Sailing Bear of the East Neuk
Facebook - The Lion of St Andrews
Serafina Press
Clayhill Arts