Ben Javens is an illustrator with a terrific style. Originally from a small Yorkshire town called Ossett, Javens headed to Birmingham in the late 90′s to complete a Fine Art degree at the University of Central England. After that he wandered for several years in what he describes as “the wilderness that is life after graduation”. Fortunately he found his true calling as an illustrator a few years later and, as he says on his website he “hasn’t looked back since”.

Ben’s style is fun, playful and charming. Recently he made a tamborine for the Sound It Out Charity which I really love. The simplicity of his work is so good and his images are bound to bring some color to your day. Go check out more of what he makes on his website here.

Edinburgh-based illustrator Kate McLelland has a great portfolio of work. A recent graduate of Edinburgh College of Art’s Masters degree in illustration, Kate has worked on prints, commissions, exhibitions and a children’s book.

I really like her series of skyline prints. Originally created as an entry to a competition held by London Transport, her London print was a re-deigned skyline that reflected London today. After enjoying the process of creating the image (and picking up first runner-up in the competition) Kate decided to make two more city skylines – first Edinburgh and then Paris. On her website she notes that every year she has created a new skyline but hasn’t decided on which one to do this year. Hopefully she decides soon because I can’t wait to see it!

Kate McLelland’s ‘Skyline’ prints are currently available for purchase from the Hello Polly store.