Cathy Brear Illustration
About Me
After studying at Bournemouth and Poole College of Art and Design I moved to London and spent a year working as a design assistant at Sophie Dickson Associates whilst building up illustration clients.
I then took up a permanent position with one of these early clients, Tigerprint, and was with them for 12 years. As an in-house designer, I worked across their publishing department which produced calendars and diaries for Marks & Spencer.
During this time I continued to undertake independent illustration work that came to me through my commissioning agent Micklejohn. My clients included P&O Ferries, Halifax Building Society, North London University, Royal College of Nursing, Workman Publishing and Homes and Gardens Magazine.
Seeking more ideas and inspiration I then took a year out, travelling from Spain to the Middle East overland and then to India. On my return I hosted a sucessful exhibition at the Conningsby Gallery in London. I then worked in-house for Mint Creative and Watermark, which directed my illustration work more towards the Greetings Card industry.
I'm currently working as a freelance illustrator, based in North London. I license my work through my agent Image By Design Licensing and also undertake commissioned work in both design and illustration. In addition, I also successfully publish a small ranges of cards myself.
My recent clients include: Dorling Kindersley, John Lewis, Seadragon Publishing, Elle Publishing, Judges, Peggy Karr Glass, Kingsmead, Simson cards, Card Connection, WHSmith, Ryland Peters and Small, Cico Books and the Art Group.