About Joanne

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Hi, I'm Joanne, an illustrator based in Cornwall. Originally from Northern Ireland, I also spent many years living and working in Scotland before making Cornwall my home.

I've been drawing for as long as I can remember, filling sketchbooks with curious characters, magical creatures and imagined worlds. That love of storytelling eventually led me to study Illustration and Printmaking at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design in Dundee, where I graduated with a First Class Honours degree.

After graduating, I worked in Edinburgh on a variety of illustration projects before focusing on children's publishing. Since then, I've illustrated several published picture books, including Ginger Nut, Lost at the Zoo and The Giant Panda Party. In 2026, I'm excited to introduce a brand-new character and book series, Sally the Seasick Seagull.

I specialise in children's book illustration, character design and world-building, creating artwork that invites readers to step into rich, imaginative stories. Alongside my client work, I explore more personal projects through my creative brand, Indigo Alice, which I founded in 2019. It's a space where I create whimsical, atmospheric illustrations inspired by folklore, nature and the quieter, magical moments hidden in everyday life.

From my home studio, surrounded by sketchbooks, coffee cups and a handful of digital tools, I combine traditional drawing with digital painting to build richly textured illustrations full of warmth, atmosphere and narrative. Whether it's a curious fox beneath a moonlit sky, an adventurous young hero or an entirely imagined world, I'm always searching for those little details that make a story feel alive.

Whether I'm illustrating for a publisher, author or licensing project, my goal is always the same: to create artwork filled with character, emotion and a sense of wonder.

When I'm not drawing, you'll usually find me on the school run, exploring the Cornish coast, reading a good gothic novel or collecting inspiration for the next story waiting to be told.