Meet Isabel Valfigueira

Isabel Valfigueira is the creative mind behind the maps and illustrations of birds, animals, and nature. Working with traditional materials, Isabel brings her passion for art and the outdoors to life in every line.  Her illustrations and maps are detail-focused and hand-drawn.

Born with a passion for doodling and a love for exploring, Isabel found her groove combining her two passions into stunning artworks that transport you to magical worlds. Her maps aren't just for getting around; they're like stepping into a storybook adventure, inviting exploration and discovery as an object of narratives, storytelling, life experiences and special places.

Isabel's drawings of birds, animals, and landscapes breathe life into the page, capturing every detail with a warmth and charm that's hard to resist. Even though she's not a household name (yet!), Isabel's talent speaks volumes, leaving anyone who sees her work totally enchanted.
With her down-to-earth approach and dedication to traditional medium art, Isabel Valfigueira is quietly making her mark on the world of illustration, one delightful drawing at a time.

Education
- Artistic Illustration Specialization
   Instituto Superior de Educação e Ciências / University of Évora (2011-2012)
- Degree in Architecture and Urbanism
   Faculty of Architecture of Lisbon; Lisbon Technical University (2000-2005)
- Erasmus, Istituto Universitário di Architettura di Venezia (2004)

Books
- Eliana encontra o Mundo da Matemática. Self publishing. Portugal (2021)
- 96 Illustrated Maps of the UK and Iceland (by artists from around the world), They draw and travel (edited by Nate Padavick), USA (2016)
- Aprender e Ensinar com os Animais do Céu, da Terra e do Mar. Chiado Books (2016)
- The Temptation Ring, Mehta Publishers (Mkids), India (2015)
- Fábulas de Siempre, Everest Editora, Spain (2014)
   Fábulas em Verso, Everest Editora, Portugal (2010)
- Chamo-me Eugénio de Andrade, Didáctica Editora, Portugal (2014)
   Chamo-me Charles Dickens, Didáctica Editora, Portugal (2012)
   Chamo-me Florbela Espanca, Didáctica Editora, Portugal (2011)

Editorial
- Como os manuais de Português fazem nascer ou matam leitores, DN, newspaper supplement QI, 09/02/2013 | WHO - Creative Talents Agency.

Group exhibitions
- Collective exhibition "Opowiadania na tacy" Hansel and Gretel
   Bookstore Spanish Elite, Wroclaw, Poland (December 2014 - February 2015).
- Collective exhibition "Premio Europeo de Ilustración ‘Cocina de Cuentos’" Hansel e Gretel
   Salón do Libro de Pontevedra, Spain (March 2014).
- Collective exhibition of 11th Francisco Mantecón International Advertising Poster Competition 
   Vigo’s Maritime Station, Spain (2013).
- Collective exhibition of MFA Illustration, ISEC/UÉvora
   Museu Nacional do Traje, Lisbon, Portugal (2012).