Hi! I’m Althéa, a Johannesburg-based illustrator specialising in playful, colourful illustration with a strong hand-drawn feel.

About

Hi! I’m Althéa, a Johannesburg-based illustrator specialising in playful, colourful illustration with a strong hand-drawn feel. I’ve worked across children’s publishing, educational content, branding and commercial illustration, creating everything from character-led artwork to editorial pieces and custom visual campaigns. My work has been recognised with an American Express Africa illustration award, and I love turning ideas into artwork that feels distinctive, warm and full of personality.

Industry experience

  • Education
  • Professional Services
  • Media & Entertainment
  • Travel & Hospitality
  • Manufacturing
  • Real Estate & Construction

Projects · 16

https://www.twine.net/signin

Have you or someone you know, been recently diagnosed with scoliosis? Are you looking for a light hearted and positive resource?

Join Bonnie as she shares everything she’s learned about being diagnosed with scoliosis. Bonnie and Her Brace is an upbeat, encouraging and inspiring account of Bonnie’s diagnosis and being prescribed a back brace to correct her curvature of the spine.

Bonnie will gently guide you or your loved one as they navigate new terminology and become familiar and confident in their scoliosis diagnosis.

  • Book Cover Designer
  • Book Illustrator
  • Character Designer
  • +2

https://www.twine.net/signin

My House in the Sky is a tender, imaginative picture book about a young girl learning to hold onto love and memory when life changes. Moving between two homes—one red, one blue—she creates a third, magical space all her own: a floating purple house filled with joy, memories, and hope.

This story opens a gentle doorway for parents, teachers, and therapists to talk about change, separation, family transitions, and healing—reminding kids that joy can live in their imagination, and in their hearts, no matter where they are. Even in shifting times, there’s always room for the good things.

“Only the good things — I promise.”

  • Book Cover Designer
  • Book Illustrator
  • Character Designer
  • +2

https://www.twine.net/signin

What do you see?
What do we see…?

A future where indigenous languages are preserved and not extinct, spoken to express love and to create a magnificent reality.

By 2100, predictions say that half of the world’s spoken languages will either vanish or be on the brink of extinction.

In response to this alarming trend, UNESCO, Indigenous Peoples Organizations and UN indigenous mechanisms have collaboratively designated the period from 2022 to 2032 as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages.

Let’s preserve our indigenous languages by instilling them in kids from a young age, and highlighting them as languages of love and creation.

  • Book Cover Designer
  • Book Illustrator
  • Character Designer
  • +1

illustrator photo webdesigner designer bookillustration childrensbookillustration colourbook digitalillustration graphicdesigner

  • Character Designer
  • Illustrator

illustrator photo webdesigner designer bookillustration childrensbookillustration colourbook digitalillustration graphicdesigner

  • Illustrator

illustrator photo webdesigner designer bookillustration childrensbookillustration colourbook digitalillustration graphicdesigner

  • Illustrator

illustrator photo webdesigner designer bookillustration childrensbookillustration colourbook digitalillustration graphicdesigner

  • Illustrator

illustrator photo webdesigner designer bookillustration childrensbookillustration colourbook digitalillustration graphicdesigner

  • Illustrator

illustrator photo webdesigner designer bookillustration childrensbookillustration colourbook digitalillustration graphicdesigner

  • Illustrator

illustrator photo webdesigner designer bookillustration childrensbookillustration colourbook digitalillustration graphicdesigner

  • Illustrator

illustrator photo webdesigner designer bookillustration childrensbookillustration colourbook digitalillustration graphicdesigner

  • Book Illustrator

illustrator photo webdesigner designer bookillustration childrensbookillustration colourbook digitalillustration graphicdesigner

  • Illustrator

Work experience

Freelance Illustrator · Art By AltheaAug 2026 – Present · 4 mos

Illustration in digital and traditional media. Children’s book illustration as well as commission based work. Character development and design. Working closely with authors to bring stories to life.

Education

National Diploma NQF6 in Visual Arts · University of Johannesburg2010 – 2012

University of Johannesburg National Diploma, Visual Arts National Diploma, Visual Arts Activities and societies: Art History, contextual studies, printmaking, drawing, painting, sculpture.Activities and societies: Art History, contextual studies, printmaking, drawing, painting, sculpture.

Certifications and awards

NDP in Visual Art at the University of Johannesburg2008 – 2012

Activities and societies: Art History, contextual studies, printmaking, drawing, painting, sculpture. Participated in the women's day exhibition at Bamboo in collaboration with Mbali Dhlamini in 2012. Participated in the Joburg Fringe curated by Gordon Froud in 2012.

World TESOL Academy2021 – 2022

120 Hour accredited TESOL certificate. Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor

Live the World with American Express Illustrator Winner2026

The American Express South Africa Artist Series and the inaugural Amex ZA Graphic Arts Challenge crowned five main winners for artworks responding to the theme "The vibrant African marketplace - everyone's welcome.

Testimonials · 5.0 from 2 reviews

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