BIOGRAPHY

I’m Fiona Murray, an illustrator based in Belfast, and storytelling sits at the heart of everything I create. It’s taken time to find my voice as an artist, but looking back, every step along the way feels like it was quietly leading me to what I do now—helping people tell their stories through illustration.

I grew up in a busy, lively home in Ballycastle, Co Antrim, one of six children, where there was never a dull moment. Surrounded by the sea, strong community, and plenty of characters, life was full of energy, humour, and connection. Those early experiences continue to shape my work today. Now living in Belfast with my own family, I find endless inspiration in the city—its history, its people, and the way stories are carried with resilience and wit.

I studied Art and Design at the University of Ulster, but I never settled on one specific medium. I’ve always been a bit of a “jack of all trades,” and that openness has really helped me in my journey as a self-employed artist.

I’ve always loved bringing people together—whether that was planning parties, creating “this is your life” style games, or celebrating someone’s story in a meaningful way. That same instinct now drives my illustration work. I put pen to paper and listen closely as my clients share the moments, memories, people, and places they want captured.

From there, I weave everything together into something personal and unique, often including the little details and in-jokes that make it truly theirs.  I bring each piece to life using pen and watercolour, building up layers of colour to reflect the depth and feeling of each story.

“Colour is where memory lives—layered, emotional, and impossible to ignore.”