I’m Hayven Johnson, a freelance illustrator based in Cleveland, Ohio. I specialize in publishing, with a focus on picture books, middle-grade, and young adult novels. I graduated with my BFA in Illustration from the Cleveland Institute of Art IN May 2023, and I’m excited to continue creating artwork that brings stories to life.

Growing up in a family surrounded by librarians, historians, and history lovers, I was deeply influenced by the past from an early age. This love for history shapes both my art and my worldview. Right now, my main focus is on historical feminism and romance, and I’m particularly drawn to historical feminine figures. I love digging deeper into their stories—looking beyond the surface to understand who they were, who researchers say they were, and imagining who they could have been. This interest also extends to art history, where I enjoy taking famous paintings and thinking about the stories behind them. Who were the people in these works? What did their lives look like beyond the canvas? What story can I add to what’s already been depicted?

My goal as an artist is to help readers rediscover subjects they may have once dismissed, and to inspire them to fall in love with history all over again. Through my use of bold, saturated colors and paper-cut techniques, I aim to shine a whimsical and loving light on areas of history that haven’t often been viewed this way. From Marie Antoinette to Medusa and Hatshepsut, each of these figures has a unique and compelling story to tell. I believe it’s my job to make sure these stories are told in authentic, engaging ways—honoring the challenges and triumphs these women faced.

I hope that my passion for history and my love of creating art inspire you to look back at those who came before us, and see what other stories they might have to tell.