My name is Jo Lindley and tonight, Matthew, I am going to be a…

Cardiff-based author and illustrator of picture books and middle-grade fiction
Holding my pencils wrong since I could scrawl 

I'm an author-illustrator based in Cardiff and passionate about bringing stories to life. I grew up near Reading, UK, where I spent almost every spare moment drawing and crafting. I’d burn through paper (figuratively speaking) and then wait impatiently for my parents to top up my supplies— it was tough for them to keep up with my habit!

Despite my early love of drawing, I took the long way round to reach illustration. At Cardiff University I studied architecture and then spent several years working in London. I discovered illustration almost by accident, as a mindfulness exercise to alleviate the stresses of my job, but it soon became my creative passion.

Architect + Illustrator = Archistrator

I retrained as an illustrator through a lot of self-led studies, taking courses at CityLit and Make Art That Sells, amongst others. I joined The Plum Agency in 2018, whose creative mentorship has been invaluable in enhancing my illustration and writing skills.

My architectural background provides me with a solid foundation in composition and perspective. I blend these skills with a playful style of visual storytelling to create expressive characters and imaginative worlds.

Tools, techniques, and tuxedo cats

I create my illustrations digitally using the app Procreate on my iPad, often with a cat poised awkwardly on my lap.

I work in a range of sectors, including picture books, chapter books, and middle-grade novels, as well as book covers and character design.

Feel free to explore my portfolio and discover the books I’ve illustrated. If you’re interested in working together or just want to say hello, don’t hesitate to get in touch!

And in other news

  • Friends with Pens Podcast

    Fellow illustrator, Elissa Elwick, and I have a podcast – perfect for those who enjoy conversations about children's books, illustration, character design, animation, and 80s and 90s nostalgia!

    LISTEN HERE

  • Let's play ball

    When I’m not at my desk scrawling or scribing, you will almost certainly find me with one of my softball teams trying my best to hit the ball.

  • Sketchbooking

    I welcome rainy Sundays as it gives me the perfect excuse to dabble at some mixed media sketching. You can see more on my Instragram profile.

    @ARCHISTRATOR

  • Still crafting

    Give me a procrastination project anyday. What else was I to do with all those empty boxes?!

Bibliography

  • The Beaver Who Saved Christmas

    Picture book

    Written by Will Millard | Published by Hachette | Coming soon 2024

    SEE MORE

  • Pixie Magic

    Six-book junior fiction series

    Written by Daisy Meadows | Published by Orchard Books | © Working Partners Ltd. | 2023-2025

    SEE MORE

  • Best Friends with Big Feelings

    Four-book picture book series

    Written by Jo Lindley | Published by Farshore | 2022-2023

    SEE MORE

  • Interdimensional Explorers

    Two-book middle-grade series

    Written by Lorraine Gregory | Published by Farshore | 2023-2024

    SEE MORE

  • The Nile Adventures

    Four-book junior fiction series

    Written by Saviour Pirotta | Published by Maverick Books | 2022

    SEE MORE

  • Where Does My Poo Go?

    Non-fiction picture book

    Written by Jo Lindley | Published by Dorling Kindersley | 2022

    SEE MORE

  • Excitable Edgar

    Picture Book

    Written by Lucy Feather | Published by Nosy Crow | 2019

    SEE MORE

  • Little Wolf Doesn’t Want To Go To Sleep

    Picture book

    Published by Ballon Media/Standaard Uitgeverj | 2021

  • Mini Adventures

    Four-book personalised picture book series

    Published by Orangutan Books | 2019-2020

Employees Bosses of the month:

Coco and Belle