Hi, I’m Maxine Fourie — a children’s book illustrator living on a farm in South Africa, where the bushveld, wide skies, and the daily adventures of my two daughters inspire everything I draw.

 

For nearly a decade, I worked as a wedding photographer, learning how to capture fleeting moments full of emotion and story. In 2022, I began illustrating alongside photography, and this year I officially closed my wedding chapter to focus entirely on children’s books. Since then, I’ve illustrated multiple titles and developed a style that’s warm, expressive, and rooted in both whimsy and authenticity.

 

Most of my days are a mix of homeschooling lessons at the kitchen table, sketching in between snack breaks, and taking walks through the fields with my girls and our dogs. I’m always buzzing with new ideas — sometimes scribbled down in a notebook, sometimes baked into a batch of cookies cooling on the counter. That rhythm of family life and creativity flows naturally into my illustrations, keeping them grounded in the small but magical moments of childhood.

 

Alongside client projects, I’m also working on several of my own authored picture books, stories close to my heart that I can’t wait to share with the world.

 

I’m currently seeking literary representation to grow both as an illustrator and author–illustrator. My dream is to partner with a dedicated agent who shares my vision: creating books that delight children, while also leaving them with courage, comfort, and curiosity.

 

When I’m not drawing, you’ll usually find me homeschooling, baking something sweet, hunting through thrift shops for hidden treasures, or drinking more chai tea than I probably should.