Cathy Stanford is an illustrator
for children who love all things
wild, dreamy and magical.

Get in touch at hello@cathystanfordillustration.com

A colourful and cozy children's book illustration by Cathy Stanford of a boy hugging a smiling tiger, surrounded by jungle leaves and tropical flowers.
Whimsical and fun children's illustration by Cathy Stanford of a chicken riding a vintage bicycle with a basket of eggs and flowers.
Illustration by Cathy Stanford of a gender-neutral person with curly turquoise hair, glasses, and tattoos, foraging for mushrooms. They are wearing a striped shirt and overalls, with a basket of freshly picked mushrooms nearby.
Illustrated pet portrait commission by Cathy Stanford shows three whippet dogs with expressive faces and colourful hats against a painted lilac and peach background.
Illustration by Cathy Stanford in a painterly picture book style of Twr Mawr lighthouse on a rocky cliff overlooking the ocean, with a winding stairway leading up to it, in a scenic coastal landscape.
Watercolor-style illustration of an orange cat sitting by a window with pastel-colored light.
Watercolor and ink illustration by Cathy Stanford of a British kestrel, perched on a branch, intertwined with spiraling, vine-like branches.
A watercolor illustration of a stone circle in a lush, green outdoor setting with trees and bushes, with a pinkish sky in the background.
Illustration of a woman with short dark hair and glasses, wearing a white shirt with an orange cardigan, sitting among flowers and greenery.

Cathy Stanford is a children’s illustrator exploring themes of nature, rural living, folklore and history.

Her illustrations blend traditional pen and ink with digital painting to create a nostalgic storybook feel with vibrant palettes. She loves to create whimsical, expressive characters and dreamy environments in her work.

Living in the Yorkshire countryside, she spends much of her time exploring the nearby woodlands and trails with her husband Liam and their dog Ella. She loves mysterious, overgrown spaces, and the history, folklore and wildlife of Britain and Europe.

She worked agency-side in marketing for over a decade before pursuing her passion in illustration, and brings this knowledge to collaborating with clients on complex projects.

illustrative interests

She’d love to hear about your ideas and is always happy to meet for a Zoom coffee! Get in touch at hello@cathystanfordillustration.com.

She is especially excited for projects involving:

themes

  • children’s relationships with animals and nature

  • wildlife and natural history

  • fairytales, folklore and mythology

  • cosy and outdoor family life – ie camping, gardening, cooking, farming!

formats

  • picture books for older children

  • reference, educational and gift books for all ages

  • visual development and 2D artwork for games