There’s a certain magic in the way illustrator Simply Katy captures the charm of everyday moments and transforms them into richly detailed artwork — the kind that feels right at home on a beautifully crafted jigsaw puzzle. Known for her vibrant colour palettes, travel‑inspired scenes and joyful attention to detail, Katy brings a sense of wonder to every piece she creates. In this conversation, we step behind the art to explore her illustration process, the places that spark her imagination, and how she approaches designing artwork that puzzle lovers can truly get lost in.
Whether she’s wandering down a tucked‑away street or sketching with a coffee and an audiobook, Katy finds inspiration in life’s little moments. Her detailed style has grown into a perfect match for jigsaw puzzles. Here, she shares the inspirations, routines and artistic insights that guide her work, offering a warm glimpse into the mind of an illustrator whose pieces invite you to slow down, explore and enjoy the beauty in the everyday.
Behind the Art: A Creative Conversation with Illustrator Simply Katy
About Your Creative Journey
How It All Began
What’s your earliest memory of drawing or creating something that made you think: “This is what I want to do forever”?
I can’t say I have one specific memory as such, but what I can say is that I have a lot of memories of having the desire to create from a young age. I would always want to take my colouring book out with me, just in case I had a spare moment to be creative and colour in.
You describe travel and architecture as major inspirations in your work — is there a particular city or landmark that first sparked that creative fascination?
I have been very privileged to have had the opportunity to travel from a young age and I have always been open to embracing new architecture, landscapes and cultures. However, there was one trip I took to Venice with my mum in 2018 that made me question things a little further. I was looking for a print that I could keep as a souvenir, but all the options didn’t really feel like my style. So I decided to create my own, I shared it on my social media, and ended up with requests to sell the piece. I then decided to use that passion to create more and that’s how my art has evolved into what it is today.
“Hidden side streets always make me wonder what’s waiting just around the corner.”
Travel & Architecture Inspiration
Finding Beauty in the Everyday
When you're exploring a new place, what details catch your eye first — colour palettes, skylines, hidden architectural flourishes?
I find that I am always drawn to the culture of a place, whether that’s people sitting outside enjoying a croissant, unique shopfronts that you wouldn’t find in England or hidden small side streets which evoke the possibility of wonder or the feeling of ‘what’s down there?’ Which leads to me exploring a place more. I also really enjoy noting all the different colour combinations that people use and how I can add them into my own work.
Do you tend to sketch or note ideas while travelling, or do the ideas hit once you’re home reflecting back on the experience?
I occasionally make notes and take photographs, but I usually find that ideas will actually come even weeks or months later when I’ve let the ideas run wild in my mind.
Which destination has influenced your work the most so far? And what place is still on your “must‑illustrate someday” list?
I absolutely love New York, I find it such a unique and impactful city. It’s somewhere where I can’t help but keep on wanting to illustrate. I’ve got a really strong desire to explore Greece more, there’s so many beautiful islands I haven’t visited yet which are quite high on my bucket list.
About Your Process
How an Illustration Comes to Life
When you sit down to create a new illustration, what’s the very first thing you do?
The very first thing I like to do is write a small list of all the story elements I would like to include in the art piece. I almost like to build a story based on the art before I can start to see it come to life. Then based on my ideas I like to create a really rough sketch based on my notes. Both these methods really help me to get my words down onto paper.
Do you have a routine for creating — a particular drink, playlist, or environment that helps you get in the zone?
I love listening to an audiobook to really get me in a creative flow, I then like to have my studio feel cosy, so I have some different lamps and air purifier to create a sense of ambiance. But before I can start anything I have to have my cup of coffee, it’s almost become a bit of a ritual for me now.
Illustrating for Jigsaw Puzzles
Art Made for Piecing Together
How does illustrating for a jigsaw puzzle differ from illustrating for other media? Does creating art specifically for jigsaw puzzles influence your composition or the level of detail you include?
To be completely honest, I haven’t changed my process in terms of how I would create a piece of art for a puzzle or for a normal piece of art. I think my art has just evolved naturally to be really detailed which suits jigsaw puzzles really well.
Which one of your puzzle illustrations has been the most fun to create — and why?
I’m sure most artists would agree that usually your most recent piece of art is the one that was the most fun to create, but I would actually say my ‘The Next Chapter’ bookshop print. I really enjoyed adding all of the cherry blossom and storytelling elements.
“Be kind to yourself — sometimes we all just need time to recharge.”
Inspiration & Creativity
What Fuels the Imagination
What inspires you most: places you’ve been, people you’ve met, or stories you've heard?
I am mostly inspired by the places I’ve visited, sometimes it can be from the smallest of things such as noticing a shopfront sign, a flower display or particular building, all these elements then seem to mix up in my mind, to then create a piece of art.
When you hit a creative block, how do you get yourself unstuck?
I have actually recently been experiencing creative block, it always seems to hit me after the start of New Year when things still feel cold and gloomy. I’ve found what helps me most is journalling everyday before I start work, getting away from my desk and visiting new places. Even if that’s going for a short walk at lunchtime, you might spot a new flower to draw. But most importantly, be kind to yourself, sometimes we all just need time to recharge.
For Aspiring Illustrators
Advice for the Next Generation of Artists
What advice would you give to someone who wants to turn their illustration hobby into a career?
Just start, you will figure the rest out as you go along. I started my business when I was still working full-time and that gave me the opportunity to not have the stress of finances, which meant I could just focus on building the business up to what it is today. Most of the time we are the ones that are holding ourselves back. If you only have an hour a week to work on your hobby at first, then focus on that. These things take time, and it’s important to enjoy the process of becoming.
What’s one thing you wish you’d known when you were starting out?
To enjoy your achievements more, sometimes it is easy to always be looking on to ‘what’s next’ when you’ve ticked a certain box. I’ve come to realise that it is important to also celebrate your wins and take a moment to look back at how far you’ve come.
Fun Quick‑Fire Questions
Subheading: A Few Final Creative Sparks
If you could teleport to any city for inspiration right now, where would you go?
I’d transport myself to Capri in Italy, where hopefully I would be eating a gelato whilst taking in a lovely view.
What three things are always part of your workspace — no matter where you are?
Always my iPad, Notebook & Phone - which has all of my personal reference photos.
A Moment Worth Savouring
Katy’s work invites you to pause, look closer and find beauty in the small details — the same way she does when wandering a new city or settling into her cosy studio with a coffee. Her illustrations remind us that creativity often grows from quiet moments, unexpected sparks and the joy of noticing what’s around us. Whether you’re piecing together one of her jigsaws or discovering her story for the first time, we hope her journey inspires your own moments of curiosity, creativity and time well spent.
