Biography

Caroline Fairbairn

Caroline has always created, doodled and dreamed. Fascinated by the natural world and all things Fae, she has been drawn to illustration and children’s books have always been a love of hers. Caroline is captivated by the art of storytelling, not just by words but by the visions created by pictures, weaving a tale beyond the written. She believes: ‘to be able to copy is a skill but to breathe life into characters that only exist in your imagination is a truly magical thing’. Collaborating with incredibly talented authors allows Caroline to do her perfect job, making dreams a visual reality. 

Originally from London, Caroline Fairbairn is an illustrator artist living and working in Hampshire. After achieving her degree in ceramics from Central St Martins College, she went on to be a model and mould maker as well as teach Ceramics at the Ripley Arts Centre in Bromley. After a career break to have a family, she moved to Hampshire and found a new calling as an illustrator. Caroline now works digitally and with more traditional media illustrating children and young adult books. She has worked on large scale art projects and commissions including portraiture and public art trails. Caroline also enjoys teaching workshops at schools across the country. Her involvement with the Afterlife Saga (original series by author Stephanie Hudson) has allowed her dream of crafting and creating alternative worlds to become a reality. Caroline is currently collaborating with Stephanie Hudson on the ‘The Afterlife Academy’, an illustrated paranormal young adult book series, which is wickedly dark and funny.

​

• 1990- Ravensbourne Art College Fad (3D Design spec) 

• 1990-1994- Central St Martins College of Art and Design- Ceramics Degree 

• 1992-1995- Ceramics teacher at the Ripley Arts Centre Bromley 

• 1994-1996- Model maker, blocker and specialist caster for Sally Born Ceramics 

• 1998- An Introduction to Glazing and Decorating Pottery by Caroline Fairbairn- Quantum Books 

• 2013- Go Rhinos public Art Trail for Marwell Zoo (schools project) 

• 2015- Winner of SO:To Speak Festival of Words 2015 illustration competition 

• 2015- Marching to a Royal Beat by Stephanie Hudson and Caroline Fairbairn 

• 2016- Noels Ark by Jamie Brooks and Caroline Fairbairn 

• 2016- Zany Zebras public art Trail for Marwell Zoo- Commissioned Hampshire Cultural Trust  

• 2017- The Glass Dagger (Book 1 in the Afterlife Academy) by Stephanie Hudson and Caroline Fairbairn 

• 2018-Henson Pig Trail x2 

• 2018- Sitting with Jane Public art trail commissioned East Hampshire District Council & Festival Place- supporting Ark Cancer Centre Charity 

• 2019- The Hells Ring (Book 2 in the Afterlife Academy) by Stephanie Hudson and Caroline Fairbairn 

• 2020- Afterlife Saga Concept artist 

• Consultant Letters of Basingstoke

• 2021 The Reapers Book(Book three in the Afterlife Academy) by Stephanie Hudson & Caroline Fairbairn

• 2021 Trash mouth Graphic artist / Puppet maker an Integr8 Dance production

•  

•  

Publications 

Introduction to Glazing and Decorating Pottery- as author- produced by Quantum books 

Marching to a Royal Beat-as illustrator- written by Stephanie Hudson 

Noels Ark-as illustrator-written by Jamie Brooks 

The Glass Dagger-as illustrator- written by Stephanie Hudson 

The Hells Ring-as illustrator- written by Stephanie Hudson 

The Reapers Book-as illustrator- written by Stephanie Hudson

​