Diane Wilkinson Brings Stories to Life Through Art and Words

Diane Wilkinson (Artydi) began her creative career as a portrait painter, a discipline in which she quickly demonstrated a natural talent. Portraiture remains one of her strongest artistic foundations, but her practice broadened significantly during her university years, when she wrote and illustrated her first children’s book, The Skitlets. The story resonated immediately with young readers; their enthusiastic response encouraged her to continue exploring storytelling as an extension of her visual art.

The Skitlets © Diane Wilkinson

Building on that early success, Diane went on to write a second children’s story and develop a companion colouring book, eventually bringing all three titles together as a complete set. The project marked the beginning of a deeper engagement with narrative work, blending her illustrative skill with a growing passion for writing.

Her creative journey has continued to evolve. Diane recently completed her first novel for older children, When Thomas Met Michael, which reflects her commitment to producing stories that are imaginative, accessible and emotionally engaging. The transition from picture books to longer fiction highlights her versatility as an artist and writer, as well as her ability to speak to a broad range of young audiences.

Enjoying Painting Big Cats

Diane describes herself as an easy-going, highly motivated creative who enjoys new challenges and approaches her work with optimism and curiosity. She is particularly committed to encouraging positivity in young people. As someone who is dyslexic, she has never viewed her neurodiversity as an obstacle; instead, it has shaped her belief in the power of creativity and resilience. Her own experiences allow her to serve as a role model, showing young readers — and aspiring young artists — that their talents and ideas are valid, valuable and worth pursuing.

Today, Diane’s body of work spans portraiture, illustration and children’s literature, each area informed by her desire to inspire, uplift and connect. Whether through a painted likeness or a written story, she continues to create work that celebrates imagination, embraces individuality and reminds her audiences, young and old, of the importance of believing in their own creative voice.