About – Peggy Jean Willow

A little bit about me and how I became an egyptologist and artist.

1977
Birth
I was born in 1977 in East Germany. I come from a creative, artistically oriented family. My mother worked as a porcelain maker for the famous MEISSEN brand. My grandparents were operatta actors and singers at the theater and my great grandparents were musicians and porcelain painters.
1995-2000
First Degree
After graduating from high school, I started by studying something my parents liked…and became a lawyer. But after passing the state bar exam, I quickly realized that wasn’t my passion.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t until I was actually working in that field that I realized I had chosen a career in which I was constantly dealing with other people’s conflicts.
2000 to the present
Freelance Graphic Designer
I switched to the creative industry and then worked for about 18 years as a freelance graphic designer on commercial projects.

I’ve worked for major brands, created websites, developed packaging designs, and much more.

My language got visual, and I became an expert in all the key software programs in the Adobe Suite.
2014-2019
Second Degree
Then, at some point, at the age of 37, I found the courage to make my dream come true and went back to university a second time. I was very fortunate and privileged to take part in an excavation in southern Egypt alongside my professor.

This led me straight to the love of my life. My husband is also an Egyptologist, and we now have a daughter together.
2019 - 2025
Family & Adventures
My excavations and personal research in Egypt have presented me with many challenges, but they’ve also brought me a great deal of joy.

It wasn’t easy to balance family and work, especially when the pandemic hit. The adventures never end. For every question I was able to answer scientifically—that is, using pure logic—new questions arose that required a fresh perspective.
2025 to the present
Combining all
And what could be better than bringing the vibrancy of this fascinating culture back to life through modern art? Now I’m combining everything that’s important to me: my creativity, my knowledge, and my love of writing.

And there’s still plenty of time left for my family.

The days when I swam against the current are over. I’m old enough now to follow my own path in life. ;)

Art, Writing & Egyptology

ART

I work with watercolor techniques, oil pastels, and gouache, as well as colored pencils, watercolor pencils, and graphite pencils. I create fine art as well as archaeological drawings and technical illustrations for historical publications.

WRITING

I generally write my Egyptology-related academic texts in German language, but I have experienced native English speakers in my network who can edit them.

EGYPTOLOGY

My visual works generally do not require translation, unless they involve hieroglyphs. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, I am unable to accept commissions for translating hieroglyphs from photographs or similar sources. I kindly ask for your understanding.

How i usually work

I’m currently working on my own projects, which require my full attention. As soon as I have some free time again, I’ll set up a way for you to book my work for art commissions right here.

If you’re interested in what I’m currently working on, feel free to follow me on my Art.Blog or my social media channels (see links below). I post updates from my creative studio there at least twice a week.

Are you interested in a personalized illustration for a historical project? You need archaeological drawings? If so, feel free to email me in advance at hello{at}peggyjeanwillow.com and we will figure out the details.

A little bit about me and how I became an egyptologist and artist.

1977

1995-2000

2000 to the present

2014-2019

2019 - 2025

2025 to the present

Art, Writing & Egyptology

ART

WRITING

EGYPTOLOGY

How i usually work

Send me a message