traveler. writer. artist. always curious.

Katherine Conaway is a freelance writer, artist, and consultant. She’s been a digital nomad since June 2014, working remotely while traveling full-time. She has visited more than 55 countries so far, across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Katherine is currently a postgraduate student, studying for the Erasmus Mundus International Master in Children's Literature, Media & Cultural Entrepreneurship (CLMCE). The 24-month programme features semesters at different partner universities in the CLMCE Consortium, starting with the Fall 2025 semester at the University of Glasgow in Scotland and Spring 2026 at Aarhus University in Denmark.

I am passionate about art, culture, and education.

Clients have included Guardian Revival (mental health non-profit), Raw Materials (design agency), Bluffworks (men’s travel clothing), Public Persona (branding + design studio), Lauren Hom (letterer + illustrator), The New York Times, Under Armour, AERIN Lauder, and more. Before working in the creative industry, Katherine was a teacher at American schools in Casablanca, Morocco, and Sofia, Bulgaria.

Katherine is the author of An Alphabet of Fun Facts and coauthor of The Digital Nomad Survival Guide (on Amazon Kindle and in print). She has written & been interviewed about her travels, remote work, and digital nomad programs like Remote Year.

Journal

Living in Denmark, the Happiest Country in the World

Written in one go, listening to “the narrator” in my mind as I was sitting in a cafe in Copenhagen watching people on the street, thinking about recently seeing social media posts about “the happiest” cities and countries in the world, both of which featured Denmark, Copenhagen, and Aarhus. Defining happiness is, like many concepts, more elusive than initially expected once you begin to examine it.

CLMCE FAQ: Some Advice for Erasmus Mundus Masters Applicants

Because I’ve written about applying for and starting the CLMCE program, I’ve received a number of messages with questions from potential applicants and admitted students. So I decided to consolidate some answers and advice, including my high-level current CLMCE experience, notes about learning, people, locations, money, why I chose to do the CLMCE program, and my suggestions for applications & personal statements.

Starting Grad School in Scotland

I arrived a week ago to Glasgow, Scotland, to start my master’s degree (!!), so I wanted to share about it & answer some of the top questions about the program I’m doing — an Erasmus Mundus International Master’s of Children’s Literature, Media, and Cultural Entrepreneurship (CLMCE), getting started at the University of Glasgow, our CLMCE Orientation information, and getting settled in Glasgow.

Reflecting on My First Semester at ESMA Art School in France

A recap of my first semester at ESMA Lyon, where I embraced the challenges of art school, life in France, and a structured daily routine after 10 years of remote work and travel. My classes included Volume Atelier (physical maquettes), Photography, Image Analysis (film composition), Anatomy (drawing), Technical Drawing (perspective), Visual Arts (art history), Color (acrylic painting), and French Language, plus a “van life” transversal week and some stop motion experiments.

Grad School App Submitted!

I just applied to my dream program: the Erasmus Mundus Master in Children’s Literature, Media & Cultural Entrepreneurship. So I thought I’d share a bit about my journey, this unique interdisciplinary program across Europe, and my application.

I Just Started a Year of Art School in France!

I'm taking a one year "Entertainment Preparatory Class" at ESMA (École Supérieure des Métiers Artistiques) in Lyon, France. Here's info about the program, how & why I chose it, and my artistic journey from self-taught to art school (including my recent Kickstarter campaign for my Alphabet book and taking my Creative Sabbatical Summer Break).

New: A Travel Alphabet Book

My newest project, A Travel Alphabet book, is now available as a digital download! Created in just 12 hours during my course at The Glasgow School of Art, this book is packed with travel tips and vibrant blue ink illustrations, collaged on pink sugar paper.

Creative Sabbatical Summer Break

I am taking 6 weeks of art classes at 3 schools! I love learning and making art, and I’ve wanted to take a break and do more structured studio classes for a while. So I decided to give myself the gift of a creative sabbatical… like a DIY adult summer camp!

Japanese Calligraphy VAWAA in Kyoto

My final project for my Graphic Memoir course at the Center for Cartoon Studies was a 6 page comic about my 4-day Japanese calligraphy VAWAA last spring in Kyoto with Chikako.

Daily Diary Comics (CCS Graphic Memoir)

During our weeklong Graphic Memoir class at the Center for Cartoon Studies with Mel Gillman, we were assigned daily diary comics to draw — a short, simple autobio comic strip based on a prompt.

Graphic Memoir @ The Center for Cartoon Studies

I declared this summer to be my “art class summer” (or something, there’s not a real title for it… yet?), and my first class was a week-long Graphic Memoir course at the Center for Cartoon Studies in Vermont.

Announcing: An Alphabet of Fun Facts

In 2021, I decided I wanted to learn / practice how to illustrate on my iPad. So I launched a Kickstarter for An Alphabet of Fun Facts for my birthday that year. Now, it’s available for sale!

Books & Prints

Store

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An Alphabet of Fun Facts Book (Hardcover)

$17.95

From A to Z, encounter things & places both familiar & new, with facts about what they mean and where they come from. You may be surprised to find they often have a little unexpected history...

An Alphabet of Fun Facts is a hardcover book with custom illustrations — written for children & all ages to enjoy (and learn something new)!

Vivid illustrations are great for playing “I spy…” and the text works well for read-alongs with young children. Older children (and adults!) can read on their own.

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Dinosaur | Unisex Sweatshirt

$44.00

D is for Dinosaur! This sweatshirt is embroidered with your favorite prehistoric creature — illustration from "An Alphabet of Fun Facts" book.

This unisex eco sweatshirt is made of organic cotton, making it durable, soft, and comfy.

• 100% organic ring-spun combed cotton
• Fabric weight: 350 g/m² (10.3 oz./yd.²)
• Regular fit
• Set-in sleeves
• 1×1 rib at neck collar, sleeve hem, and bottom hem
• Double-needle topstitch at the neck collar, on the sleeves, and on the bottom hems
• Inside herringbone back neck tape
• Self-fabric half moon at back neck
• Blank product sourced from Bangladesh

The sizes correspond to a smaller size in the US market, so US customers should order a size up.

This product is made especially for you as soon as you place an order, which is why it takes us a bit longer to deliver it to you. Making products on demand instead of in bulk helps reduce overproduction, so thank you for making thoughtful purchasing decisions!

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Dinosaur | Baby Onesie

$24.00

D is for Dinosaur! This onesie features your favorite prehistoric creature — illustration from "An Alphabet of Fun Facts" book.

Made from 100% certified organic cotton, this comfy bodysuit is made with soft, stretchy fabric and an envelope neckline.

• 100% certified organic cotton
• Soft and stretchy fabric
• 3 self-colored nickel-free poppers at the crotch
• Envelope neckline
• Fabric weight: 5.9 oz/yd² (200 g/m²)
• Binding at neck, arms, and legs for shape retention

Sale

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A Travel Alphabet Book (Digital)

$4.95 $7.95

Explore the World Better, One Letter at a Time

Indulge your wanderlust and improve your adventures with A Travel Alphabet, a uniquely illustrated guide that takes you through the essentials of exploring the world — from A to Z. Each letter is brought to life with simple yet profound advice, accompanied by striking handpainted ink illustrations and collaged text in simple but vivid colors.

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Japanese Calligraphy Zine (Digital)

$2.95

Peek into the world of Japanese calligraphy with this short digital zine / comic about a weeklong workshop in Kyoto with Chikako sensei, a master calligrapher.

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Ballerinas (Works on Paper)

from $5.00

Limited collection of works on paper created during a Portfolio Preparation class at the renowned Glasgow School of Art in July 2024.

Produced as object studies of a small ballerina sculpture, these works strive to capture her delicate form through various techniques & media.

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Inverted Meiji Art Print (Variable Edition Monoprint)

from $20.00

A limited, variable edition of 8 monoprints featuring a laser-cut linocut of my digital drawing of Tokyo’s famous Meiji Shrine.

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Meiji Art Print (Variable Edition Monoprint)

from $20.00

A limited, variable edition of 14 monoprints featuring a laser-cut linocut of my digital drawing of Tokyo’s famous Meiji Shrine.

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Tokyo Art Print

$10.00

8.5 x 11” print featuring artwork from An Alphabet of Fun Facts book.

The iconic Meiji Jingu Shinto shrine (based on a photo I took during my April 2023 trip in Japan) represents “T is for Tokyo” as part of the book’s theme of unexpected facts & history about familiar objects & places.

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Beach Umbrellas Art Print

$10.00

8.5 x 11” print featuring artwork from An Alphabet of Fun Facts book.

A colorful bird’s eye view of a beach covered in bright umbrellas, pool noodles, floats, beach chairs, and a couple sandcastles. Can you find the rainbow umbrella? This illustration was designed for careful looking, counting, and conversation.

“U is for Umbrella” was drawn as part of the book’s theme of unexpected facts & history about familiar objects & places.

Note that the water colors print darker than shown.

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Grand Canyon Art Print

$10.00

8.5 x 11” print featuring artwork from An Alphabet of Fun Facts book.

A colorful view of the layered rocks walls of the Grand Canyon and the bright Colorado River winding through it represent “G is for Grand Canyon” as part of the book’s theme of unexpected facts & history about familiar objects & places.

Note: the river color prints darker than shown.

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Lobster Art Print

$10.00

8.5 x 11” print featuring artwork from An Alphabet of Fun Facts book.

An orange lobster drawn on a bright blue background represents “L is for Lobster” as part of the book’s theme of unexpected facts & history about familiar objects & places.

Want to say hello?

Interested in working with me on a project or art commission? Please say hello@conawaycreative.com or fill out this form to get in touch.

traveler. writer. artist. always curious.

I am passionate about art, culture, and education.

Journal

Books & Prints

Keep in Touch

Want to say hello?