Custom Illustration

An illustration of a swirling green vine with leaves by Molly Chidsey.

Welcome to my studio.

I am an illustrator based in Portland, Oregon. I specialize in ink drawing, watercolor, lettering, and sometimes a combination of all three. I also draw digitally, and often combine hand-painted elements with digitally-drawn lines to create a unique handmade piece.

  • Want to turn your shoes into an art canvas? Love it.

  • Got a bare wall that’s just asking to be a mural? Yes!

  • Need something super special to mail to your clients? Done.

My specialty is listening to your vision, and translating that into a unique, hand-drawn or hand-painted art that is all yours.

My clients are small business owners, grandparents, authors, gift-givers, letter-writers, and dreamers of all kinds.

Not sure what you need? Let’s brainstorm together to come up with a design solution that works for YOU.

Illustration Services

  • A craftsman house home portrait illustrated in ink and watercolor. A gray house surrounded by trees.

    Home portraits

    Custom ink-and-watercolor illustrations of homes and architecture are a specialty. Available in original painting or digitizied formats.

    Learn more
  • A gray cat with golden eyes on its back with paws up; ink and watercolor illustration pet portrait.

    Pet portraits

    When you order a custom pet portrait from me, I create it by hand, with ink and watercolor paint, an original artwork that captures your pet’s unique spirit.

    Learn more
  • A spaceship USS Enterprise orbits a planet that looks like a basketball; ink and watercolor illustration.

    Custom illustration

    Do you want to give a gift that only your beloved would understand? A spaceship orbiting a basketball planet, perhaps? I welcome your creative ideas and I enjoy bringing them to life!

    Request a quote
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Portfolio of client illustration projects

Custom ink and watercolor illustration of a street-party wedding reception for a client.

Custom notecard design, ink and watercolor

Custom notecard design, ink and watercolor

Line art caricature for client blog.

Line art caricature for client blog.

Art print created for client of the Nanzen-ji Temple in Kyoto, Japan. 2024

Art print created for client of the Nanzen-ji Temple in Kyoto, Japan. 2024

Book cover design and book layout

Book cover design and book layout

Custom notecard design in watercolor and calligraphy

Custom notecard design in watercolor and calligraphy

Watercolor cat portrait

Watercolor cat portrait

Ink and watercolor portrait of a historic veterinary clinic in Portland, Oregon.

Ink and watercolor portrait of a historic veterinary clinic in Portland, Oregon.

Home portrait

Home portrait

Custom watercolor and lettering

Custom watercolor and lettering

Watercolor dog portrait

Watercolor dog portrait

Custom notecard design in watercolor and calligraphy

Custom notecard design in watercolor and calligraphy

Custom painting and calligraphy on leather sneakers for wedding reception

Custom painting and calligraphy on leather sneakers for wedding reception

Request a quote

What my satisfied clients say

  • Cook cover design

    “Molly does a creative and professional job of making your project come to life in a way that will exceed your expectations! Detailed and artistic, Molly really cares about what she creates for you - you will feel this in her interactions with you.” - Debi

  • Special gift

    “Molly's work not only caught the memory and moment for my project, which I simply adore, and she was able to communicate a feeling, through her art, to the recipient of my gifts. She has a very special talent.” - Allen

  • Special keepsake

    “I wanted to gift something special to a friend who is moving into her new home. Molly worked with me to create a whimsical one-of-a kind piece that will undoubtably be displayed as a keepsake in my friend’s home for years to come.” — Neha

  • Custom home portrait

    “Molly did a wonderful job of capturing the beauty of the home, and the sentiment of grateful happiness that I wished to convey! The gift was so appreciated by the recipient, who absolutely loves it!” - Rob

  • Custom illustration

    “The generosity of Molly’s spirit and her deep love of nature and magic shine through in her beautiful work. Her images and lettering combine a delicacy and whimsy with strength, attention to detail and vibrancy that is impressive and lovely - just like the artist herself.” - Hila

  • Custom family tree

    “Molly brings her sense of whimsy and magical thinking to everything she does, and her hand-lettering is no exception. Woven within the beauty of each carefully crafted stroke is a lightness that holds your gaze as they gather together and dance across the page…and you find yourself smiling along with them, no matter what the message.” – Diane

  • Custom art for home office

    “I wanted some art to hang at my desk to remind me to pause and reflect on what matters most. Molly took this idea and created a beautiful hand-lettered piece of a line of poetry that encourages me to live a life true to myself. I cherish it and look at it several times a day!” - Jenna