Growing up in San Diego, California, from a young age I pursued art, drawing or painting on any surface available (not excluding walls). My family relocated to San Antonio, Texas permanently when I was nine years old where I lived until moving to the United Kingdom at age eighteen to study Theatre and Performance Arts. Whilst studying in London I met my future husband Edward. We were married two months after graduating University in Mussenden Temple, teetering on the edge of a cliff overlooking the sea in Northern Ireland.

Throughout my time in university I set art to the side and focused on my degree in theatre. I felt as though I was missing something important from my life. After I finished my BA I picked up the pencil again and realised my true passion is illustration.

When I am illustrating I loose myself in the magical worlds which I can bring to life on paper. I love creating the perfect atmosphere in an illustration and exploring the narrative and context that composes it. Art is therapeutic to me, allowing me to escape reality whilst still working through problems. I am particularly focused on Children’s Illustration because the stories within me are the kind of stories I wanted, rather needed to read as a child. Stories which inspire, transport the reader from their reality, and simplify vital concepts in a whimsical way providing a space for children to question, challenge, and wonder.

I specialise in watercolour illustrations utilising ink for detail work. I have recently begun several pure ink illustrations which is a style I have long admired. I am experienced with acrylic paint, and love experimenting with collage. I would love to expand to other mediums in the future particularly pottery and ceramics as I have always had a fascination with the material creation and creating illustrations on usable surfaces.

Based in London with my husband and our eight cats, Antoinette, Ghostbuster, Bramble, Boggle, Pumpkin, Clover, Stellaluna, and Liplap; I am pursuing my dream of becoming a children’s book illustrator and author.

amberdawndavies@gmail.com