ILLUSTRATOR noun il·​lus·​tra·​tor ˈiləˌstrātə(r) -ātə- also ə̇ˈləˌs- plural -s : one that illustrates specifically : an artist that makes illustrations (as for books, magazines, advertising copy), "YES, I AM WHAT I AM..."

I've been a children's book illustrator for a while now. There's been so many changes through the years; transitioning from traditional media to digital art, competing with stock imagery and now we're looking at you, Artificial Intelligence! Books need to compete with screens, organized activities and a world of choices to win over a kid's heart these days. The library and school market sales decline as political decisions pour more money into technology than books. What's an illustrator to do!?!

I used to use my own children for photo reference. Now they're grown and I see the world through my grandchildren's eyes. So life goes on, some things change, some stay the same.

Below are some images from books currently in progress; a chapter book, picture book, narrative nonfiction and board book. I still love all aspects of illustrating children's books, despite the challenges. Here's hoping book creators will always be able to continue their craft and live happily ever after.

Luna Loves Space, written by Tracy Blom, Book 2 in Wonder Lens Friends Series

Jericho the Painted Pony, You're Not Alone, written by Edward H. Cooke

Wilma's Worm, written by Nancy Oswald, (looking for an awesome publishing home)

Goodnight Fireflies, written by Tammy Wilson

Please see below, the interactive part of my blog:  

Step 1. Click each link below for more illustration samples, I've been busy.

Children's Book Portfolio 

Books Recently Completed 
 

New Work and Coming Soon Projects 

Step 2. Email me at cathy@cathymorrison.com to illustrate your awesome new project.

Step 3. Thanks, we'll create an amazing book together.

Please drop by the Denver Botanical Gardens on April 19, 2026 from noon to 3pm. I'll be there along with Brittany Cicchese, Jolene Gutierrez and Carmela LaVigna Coyle, all local children's book creators.

Meet Authors and Illustrators at Rooted in Reading | Denver Botanic Gardens

 We'll have story time, family activities, book signings and more. It'll be fun!

Thanks for taking time to scroll through my  Studio With A View Blog. 

You can click on an image for larger views and the highlighted words for more information. 

Cathy 

One spread down, twelve more to go!

My "before" rough sketch for DaisyLocks interior spread

My "after" illustration following comments from the publisher

I wanted to show you part of my process when illustrating a picture book. I've already done my storyboards in Indesign and those have been revised and approved. Now I'm working on individual spreads. My rough is really loose. I've worked with Sylvan Dell before so they understand my shorthand roughs and have a good idea of how I'll finish the artwork. Their comments were to have more emphasis on plants than animals. So I took out a scorpion in the middle ground and added more plants. Since I work in Painter I've isolated various images on different layers; like the plants, turtle, background, daisy blowing in the wind, etc. This way Sylvan Dell can easily pull out parts to use for their creative minds sections for teachers and home schoolers. Also, when illustrating I have to keep in mind where the type will be (in the lower left hand side of the spread) and that the book folds right down the middle, referred to as the gutter. Books are a lot like life, you don't want something important falling in the gutter.

One spread down, twelve more to go!

Wind blows daisy seed from a hot environment to the cold arctic. Do you think this will work for her?

Make that two down, eleven to go.

Daisy's not ready to put down roots just yet.

Three down, on to the next one.

Blowing around looking for just the right spot....

Four finished spreads! You can click on the images to see the full art.

This spot looks promising, but not quite right. Still looking....

Five spreads done. I always feel better when I'm past the halfway mark. Still have a way to go.

Wind blows Daisy to another possible new home... Could this be the place? Probably not.

This is the last illustration I'll show for DaisyLocks for awhile. I'm currently going back and forth between two books for two different publishers with a third about to start. Not that I'm complaining, mind you, but it's summer in Colorado and I need to get out and play a bit. Thanks again for taking a look at my blog!