Leigh Hedstrom is a freelance illustrator based on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
Leigh immigrated to Australia shortly after completing high school in Cape Town, South Africa. She studied Fine Arts in Sydney but it was her love of creating expressive, engaging characters that informed her career choice to become an Illustrator.
After working for many years as a commercial illustrator Leigh made her first foray into children’s picture books with Marty’s Nut Free Party in 2012 with author Katrina Roe.
Subsequent titles include Emily Eases her Wheezes – a Notable book in the 2015 CBCA awards, Gemma gets the Jitters, Marty's Nut-free Party (both with author Katrina Roe), When I see Grandma (author Debra Tidball), the Ruby Wishfingers series by Deborah Kelly and Camp Max (author Penny Reeve).
When not at the drawing desk, Leigh loves to spend time with her friends, husband Ben and her most animated creation of all – eleven-year-old son James.
You can find Leigh’s portfolio at www.leighhedstrom.com and her up-to-the-minute work on Instagram.
Leigh's books with Wombat | Rhiza include:
When I See Grandma
Marty's Nut-Free Party
Gemma Gets the Jitters
Emily Eases her Wheezes
Ruby Wishfingers: Skydancer's Escape
Ruby Wishfingers: Funny Money
Ruby Wishfingers: King of the Castle
Ruby Wishfingers: Toad-ally Magic
Ruby Wishfingers: Hide-and-Seek
Camp Max