Kate Garrett

I have always been a bit arty and was endlessly drawing as a child, but never dreamt that it would end up being my career. I didn’t study art or design after school, instead deciding to go for the sensible option of a degree in Biological Sciences. I ended up teaching Biology at Secondary Level (my pupils were always complaining that we had to do far too many drawings), and this working life continued until the birth of my daughter in 2006. At last, I didn’t feel I had to ‘go to work’ any more, instead staying at home with my daughter, who was followed by a little boy two years later. Rather than fritter away my time doing useful things like housework, I started painting name pictures for children, illustrated with fairies and little animals. This gradually blossomed and grew into my own business, ‘Baby Name Pictures’, which takes up most of my time. I now paint a huge range of designs, illustrated in ink and watercolour, and have expanded to illustrate cards, books and even tea towels!