Artist Feature: Michelle Simpson Feb 27 2026
Meet the artistsMichelle Simpson is a full-time children's book illustrator. While her specialty is children's books, her work also ranges from puzzles and games to concept art for kids' animation. She has worked as a concept artist for kids' cartoons, the most recent being The Happy House of Frightenstein. Michelle holds a BAA in illustration from Sheridan College and she currently lives in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Her inspiration for her art comes mainly from nature, animals, and mythical creatures.
Michelle mostly sketches in her home office using her tablet and computer and colors and finalizes her artwork on her iPad in Procreate (often accompanied by her furry cat assistant curled up on her lap).
Michelle's recent accolades include several prestigious awards, including the Brenda Clark Book Award and the Cheltenham Illustration Award.
Her book How Do You See the World?, published by Science Naturally, was named a 2025 Outstanding Science Trade Book by the NSTA and CBC. It also won the 2024 Reader Views Literary Award in the Young Readers, Nonfiction category. Her work on Like the Sea and the Sky: A Mysterious Mollusk and Its Magical Blue Ink, published by Brandylane Publishers, earned a Silver Nautilus Book Award in 2024.
In addition to her impressive award-winning books, Michelle has an extensive list of other published work under her belt. Some of the most recent titles are: If I Met an Ice Age Animal series; Jordan and Max series; Tanna's Puppy; My Amazing Skin: How We Heal and Safe in the Sun; Farkle and Sparkle; Ten Little series: Butterflies, Dinosaurs, Candy Canes, Bearhugs and Cupids; My Animals of Canada box-set; Talloqut: A Story From West Greenland; and Pickles the Mermaid series; among many others!
Michelle is also particularly excited about a few new projects she's recently wrapped up: Sparkly Dragon Sticker Book with Usborne, a sound book with Igloo Books, and the first board book in a new four-book series with Flower Pot Press.
Michelle loves all of the work she has done for different reasons. One of her favorite series to work on is Ten Littles series with Cider Mill Press. In general she loves drawing animals and nature. She finds that these subjects are the most rewarding and fun for her.
When creating artwork, she starts by gathering reference material to create a mood board for each book. This gives her a feel for the color palette, scenery, and character ideas. Next she lays out the text and starts loosely structuring the book. She uses her large tablet for this stage because the first rounds are "large and messy". Then, she goes in and refines the sketches. Once the sketches are approved, Michelle typically does a rough color sketch to get all of the colors and lighting just right before proceeding to the final artwork. Finally she moves the files to her iPad and puts her finishing touches on in Procreate.
Michelle explains that what she appreciates most about being represented by Advocate Art is that our representation allows her to focus solely on the most important and fun part of her job—completing colorful illustrations for clients and children—while we handle the business side of things. We are so happy that she trusts us to represent her lovely artwork. Michelle's work ethic and artistic sensibility have been pleasing clients since 2018, and we are proud to say we have been part of her journey for the better part of a decade here at Advocate Art!
See Michelles full portfolio HERE and please reach out to you agent if you'd like to work with her on your next project.
Advocate Art illustration agency specializes in art licensing and children’s book illustrations. Based in London, Seville, New York, L.A., and Singapore, we represent leading illustrators who produce children's and decorative work to commission or license.