For over twenty years Cara has lived in the North of England and worked as a freelance writer and illustrator of children’s books, and as an artist and graphic designer. She has lived in Cumbria, right on the border with Scotland, and later moved to Sunderland, where she took a B.A. (Hons.) in Fine Art, majoring in Sculpture.

She now lives in Berwick upon Tweed.

Her published work includes children’s novels, poetry and picture books; also the illustration of books of folk tales and fairy tales.

During the last few years Cara's work has included many sessions working with children and adults in schools and libraries, devising and running workshops, and recently two residencies in North-East schools.

Lockhart Smith Illustration was started in 1998