About Me
I was born in Liverpool in early 1980. In July 1981, as Charles and Diana tied the knot and the Toxteth riots sent shockwaves through Merseyside, my parents moved out of the city. As a result I grew up on the fringes of the Cumbrian Lake District with my three younger brothers, later joined by my little sister. My early childhood was full of mud, worms and animals (see left - and check out those wellies). I was never destined to be a girly girl.
I went to art college in Carlisle, and then on to John Moores University in Liverpool. I studied Graphic Arts and Illustration. I enjoyed it, but on my graduation I chose a different career path - as a pub manager - for a number of years. I moved to Oxford and then to Reading, back to Liverpool and then to Lancashire, before eventually coming back to Liverpool a fourth time!
In 2009 I had a total change of career and started a 9-5 job. I suddenly had a lot more time on my hands. I began to draw again. Initially I'd been helping my younger sister with some homework, I then rediscovered my passion for drawing. I drew my house, followed by a friend's house, and another friend's house... it became a bit of an obsession. I then discovered that people were willing to pay for my pictures - and I haven't looked back since.
I created a range of illustrated alphabets - inspired in no small part by a trip to visit my cousins in Australia where I discovered the game "Scattergories". I loved the idea of thinking of a word beginning with a certain letter to fit within a particular theme. I currently have around twenty different themed alphabet images. This collection is constantly growing and I often ask for help via my Facebook page and Instagram.
Now I have a range of cards, prints, notebooks, badges and mugs. I supply a number of retail outlets in the UK and sell online via Etsy, notonthehighstreet.com and Thortful.
Following on from a busy Christmas, and then the runaway success of my bestselling "Cheesy Valentine's Card", in March 2014 I gave up my day job and I'm now a full time illustrator. I work from my Liverpool City Centre studio.
I went to art college in Carlisle, and then on to John Moores University in Liverpool. I studied Graphic Arts and Illustration. I enjoyed it, but on my graduation I chose a different career path - as a pub manager - for a number of years. I moved to Oxford and then to Reading, back to Liverpool and then to Lancashire, before eventually coming back to Liverpool a fourth time!
In 2009 I had a total change of career and started a 9-5 job. I suddenly had a lot more time on my hands. I began to draw again. Initially I'd been helping my younger sister with some homework, I then rediscovered my passion for drawing. I drew my house, followed by a friend's house, and another friend's house... it became a bit of an obsession. I then discovered that people were willing to pay for my pictures - and I haven't looked back since.
I created a range of illustrated alphabets - inspired in no small part by a trip to visit my cousins in Australia where I discovered the game "Scattergories". I loved the idea of thinking of a word beginning with a certain letter to fit within a particular theme. I currently have around twenty different themed alphabet images. This collection is constantly growing and I often ask for help via my Facebook page and Instagram.
Now I have a range of cards, prints, notebooks, badges and mugs. I supply a number of retail outlets in the UK and sell online via Etsy, notonthehighstreet.com and Thortful.
Following on from a busy Christmas, and then the runaway success of my bestselling "Cheesy Valentine's Card", in March 2014 I gave up my day job and I'm now a full time illustrator. I work from my Liverpool City Centre studio.
My Life in Houses
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I no longer have much to do with mud or worms, and I actively dislike slugs. A few things I love: Liverpool; swimming (preferably outside); beautiful handmade ceramic mugs; Sydney; battenburg (in fact, anything with marzipan); yoga; avocados; Jarvis Cocker; Copenhagen; strong black coffee, one sugar; crispy tofu; Casualty - the programme, not the place; Roald Dahl; India; turquoise; ink; fizzy elderflower cordial and, last but not least, my beautiful little black cat Matilda, named after my favourite book (she's Tilly for short). |
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