From Sketches to Stories

My name is Kyria. I’m an illustrator based in the UK, and I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember. I was the kid who filled page after page with sketches (usually when I was meant to do homework)

As an illustrator, I’m drawn to projects that feel meaningful and well-crafted. Stories with heart, nostalgia, and a sense of care behind them. Most of my work is in children’s publishing, but I also collaborate with brands, museums, and educational creators who share those same values.

My goal is always to create work that feels timeless and relatable, something that connects with our childhood memories and still speaks to us as adults.

Children's book illustrator offering professional picture book illustration services, character design, book layout, storyboarding, cover art, self-publishing support, and custom artwork for authors and publishers seeking warm, timeless, story-driven

My Journey

  • For a few years, I worked in travel insurance as a customer service administrator. Days, nights, phones ringing endlessly, people shouting down the line in panic or frustration. Controlled by a strict managerial team and caught in a routine that never felt mine, I found myself craving independence and missing, more than anything, the creative self I’d bottled up and left behind each day.

    When I was made redundant, it felt like a sign that it was time to start over. I became self-employed as a graphic designer, a safe first step back into creativity. Bit by bit, I found my way home to what I’d always loved most: drawing.

    It hasn’t been without its challenges, but the joy of doing this work still surprises me every day.

  • I’m here to help creative writers & authors with their passion projects, turning what lives in their imaginative minds into BEAUTIFULLY illustrated pages, hand drawn and uniquely designed.

    My top priority is collaborating closely with my clients to bring their visions to life in vibrant detail on every page. I believe in the magic that collaboration brings!

  • Description text goes here

Read the Storybook Corner articles to follow along all my projects, and ups and down in my book making journey.

Read here

Every project starts with listening.

Whether it’s for a book, a collection for a brand, or a museum exhibit, that first conversation always shapes everything that follows.

A woman with long wavy hair, wearing a pink shirt and white pants, rests her chin on her hand and smiles at the camera against a plain background.

How I Work

Illustration is a partnership.

I like projects where both sides feel free to share.

I encourage feedback at every stage, unlimited changes so the work feels like something we’ve built together.

Hi!

Stories with heart stay with you.

That’s what I aim for every time, to create genuine and well-made timeless illustrations.

Thinking about a project? Let’s talk →

Authors & clients

I’ve had the chance to collaborate with some wonderful people, authors, publishers, cultural teams, and creative brands, all connected by the same love of storytelling.

Every project feels a little different, but they all share that sense of collaboration that makes the process worth it.

  • Carly Mottinger

    “ Kyria’s drawings not only enhance the text but they elevate the entire story. "

    Carly Mottinger, Peek, the puppy

  • Smiling person holding a book titled 'The Adventures of Elaine' with colorful background and text 'hi, I wrote a book!'

    "Kyria was a delight to work with and I was blown away by her talent!"

    Bayle Terrnes Cassidy, The Adventure of Elaine

  • Illustrated book cover featuring "Daisy and the Dream Bus" title, with a vintage red bus flying through a night sky, piloted by a young girl and a driver. Background includes clouds, stars, and bird silhouettes.

    "Kyria has a magical whimsical style that is colorful and detailed. I love Kyria's ability to capture the off the wall concepts that were in my brain and bring them to life."

    Miruam Williams, Daisy and the Dreambus!

  • Stylized "S" logo with teal and dark blue colors, featuring an arrow design.

    I am so happy to have found an illustrator as talented as Kyria, she is my bonne étoile!

    Curasupport, What’sgoing on with Papa Bear?

A small story from my sketchbook …

A whimsical illustrated scene of a small creature with a tree bark face and curly autumn leaves for hair, sitting on a branch, wearing a yellow scarf amidst falling autumn leaves, with the caption "Little Acorn only had ONE dream this autumn..."
Falling golden-orange leaves on a beige background with text that reads 'To fly! Just like all the pretty golden leaves...'
A cute animated character with a chestnut shell for a body and hair, standing on a tree branch with colorful autumn leaves. The character is holding a large yellow leaf above its head. The background is beige with a caption that reads, "Then one wind
A cartoon squirrel with red curly hair is sitting on a tree branch, holding a large yellow leaf. The squirrel has an expressive face and is looking off to the side. The background is a plain light beige color, and there are a few yellow and orange le
A cartoon girl with curly hair and fairy wings jumping off a fallen tree branch, surrounded by leaves, with the text '… a HUGE leap and jumped!' and a small arrow at the bottom.
Illustration of three cheerful little characters with wings and curly hair laughing and flying in the wind while leaves swirl around.
Cute animated girl with brown hair and a happy face, surrounded by falling autumn leaves in yellows, oranges, and reds, with some leaves on the ground and one large leaf in her hand. There is a quote at the bottom of the image that reads, "Every stor

Authors & clients

I’ve had the chance to collaborate with some wonderful people, authors, publishers, cultural teams, and creative brands, all connected by the same love of storytelling.

Every project feels a little different, but they all share that sense of collaboration that makes the process worth it.