Cathy Heck Studio

From a busy studio perched on a hilltop in Austin, Texas, Cathy Heck is living proof that one can be a happy mom and a successful illustrator and live to tell the tale.

Cathy grew up in West Texas, spending many hours in her early years helping her mother-turned-entrepreneur who had developed a teaching aid business. "I can remember going to work with my mom and seeing a four-color separation for the first time. I thought it was magic when I watched four separate colors blending together to make every color in the rainbow."

Cathy earned her art degree at the University of Texas and married Jim Heck the summer after graduation. Her first job was in New York at Young & Rubicam, the largest ad agency in the world at that time.She created national ads for brands including Jell-O and Chef Boy-ar-dee. "I loved New York. My experience as an art director is still a vital part of what I have to offer to my clients today."

In 1981, Cathy hung out her shingle as a free-lance illustrator. Her early illustrations were familiar sights to readers of Woman's Day and other national magazines. She soon discovered design licensing and her original designs and illustrations have since found their way onto an array of products, from baby books to stickers, from dinnerware to wall coverings.

Today, most of Cathy's time is spent creating artwork for the juvenile products industry. She has created 12 baby book collections, many infant bedding collections, and hundreds of stickers and papers for the scrapbooking industry.

"I love my work. I think I am so lucky to be able to make my living doing something that I would do as a hobby."

Cathy's designs are sold on licensed products throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan.

cathy@cathyheckstudio.com