James Croft

I graduated from Wolverhampton University with a first-class degree in Illustration and have worked as a freelance illustrator for over 25 years.

My early career began in magazine illustration before moving into children’s books; to date, I have illustrated over 40 published titles. Throughout my career, I have worked with a diverse range of clients, including Aardman Animation, Marks & Spencer, the BBC, Walker Books, Penguin, and Nescafé.

I completed my first hospital mural project nine years ago. Since then, my focus has shifted towards creating artwork for public and healthcare settings, delivering dozens of large-scale projects including the Herd of Sheffield public art trail.

I am passionate about bringing art out of the gallery and into everyday environments where it can be encountered naturally. I believe everyone deserves to spend time in spaces that feel considered, welcoming, and supportive.

Through working closely with hospitals, I have become acutely aware of how demanding these environments can be—not just for patients and families, but for the staff who work there every day. I aim to create artwork that sits comfortably within these spaces, supporting care and wellbeing rather than competing for attention.