I’m Fran, the Me behind Murphy & Me

I’m a freelance illustrator, wife to Guy, and very lucky mummy to Arthur, Barney, and our newest little love, Maggie. We live in beautiful Northumberland, right by the coast, and when I’m not illustrating, you’ll most likely find me out on the beach with my family and our Cockapoo, Murphy ... the unintentional muse behind this whole venture.

Murphy and Me began as a creative outlet during the early days of Motherhood and has since grown into something so much more. My work started with detailed pet portraits, which I’m still well known for but everything changed after becoming a Mum. Since welcoming our first son at the end of 2019, I’ve fallen in love with children’s illustration and the quiet magic of a simple, heartfelt drawing.

With the arrival of our second son in 2022, and our daughter in 2024, my family has become the inspiration behind everything I create. 

Each illustration I create is made with care and intention, whether it’s a custom pet portrait, a piece for a nursery wall, or a special family moment captured in watercolour. I like to think of my art as little time capsules, designed to make you smile, spark joy, and hold a memory forever.

Thank you for being here, and for supporting a dream that grew between nap times and bedtime stories. I promise to create something you’ll truly cherish.