Melissa Castrillón

Hi! Im a freelance illustrator based in the historic city of Cambridge, England. I was born to two very creative parents, my father a photographer from Colombia, and my English mother has always loved painting & making, So growing up i was always surrounded by art and encourage to create.
My deep love for nature, organic shapes, pattern and punchy colour palettes seen throughout my work, largely comes from the love I have for my father land, Colombia. Travelling, books, growing plants, searching for exotic artifacts in antique shops are all things which also influence my life & work.

In 2006 I studied illustration at the Cambridge school of Art, I then completed a Masters degree in children's book illustration in 2014, also at the Cambridge school of Art. The course helped me to gain confidence and hone my work and love of print making, pattern and colour.
After graduating I was given a book publishing deal with Simon & Schuster in New York and since then i've illustrated over 10 picture books for children, written 3 picture books and designed and illustrated over 20 book covers, with publishers from all over the world.
In 2019 i was lucky enough to illustrate the new covers for Philip Pullman's 'His dark materials', which was a real dream come true. That same year I also won The American Society of illustrators gold medal for my wordless picture book 'The Balcony'.

When I'm not illustrating picture books I create screen prints, Riso prints and other illustrated goods, such as stationary and textiles and I sell them in my online shop and at illustration fairs around the U.K. I discovered my love for print making whilst at uni and have grand plans to one day have my very own screen printing studio where i can spend my days creating big, bright and botanically inspired work :)