Artist Statement

My art practice is founded on a love of storytelling in combination with imaginative illustration. Through my work, I aim to dramatize the mundane by telling stories which bring attention and excitement to things that usually go unnoticed. I find my inspiration in small natural environments— a rockpool or a mossy log for instance— which I use as a foundation for ideation, from which I then imagine rich settings, characters to inhabit them and storylines for them to play out. By pairing these stories with illustrations, I bring the beauty and wonder of these imagined worlds to life, inviting others to experience them as I do. For instance, my upcoming project, a graphic novel about an underwater scavenger who leaves the comfort of her home in search of new materials for her inventions, is inspired by various things I find whilst rock pooling with my partner. I also weave narrative into my non-illustrative work, mostly through titles which suggest a deeper story.

I’m greatly influenced by Alphonse Mucha’s commercial work, especially his theatrical posters, advertisements and packaging designs. I like that his work, due to its commercial nature, made art accessible to everyone regardless of class, financial or social differences. His art could be experienced by the masses as they led their everyday lives, not just put on display in a private collection. I want my art to bring joy and beauty into the lives of as many people as possible, whether that be through graphic novels, posters, or public murals. Moreover, with modern life becoming ever more minimalist and less colourful, I appreciate the artists of the Arts and Crafts movement, and their dedication to making beautiful, handcrafted goods in opposition to the blandness of mass-production.

When it comes to medium, I tend to gravitate towards gouache, however I also enjoy working with other mediums and disciplines. My technique consists of an under sketch using a pink watercolour pencil, which is then refined into a line drawing, on top of which I apply gouache using blocky, unblended paint strokes. I don’t worry about covering up the initial sketch beneath, opting instead to let the pink pencil peek through the paint. By using a water-based paint like gouache, my paintbrush picks up some of the pigment from the watercolour pencil, giving the colour palette a subtle pink hue.

Through my art practice, I aim to nurture a more mindful approach to existence and the creative process. To me, modern life can be simultaneously overstimulating and dull, which often leads me to feel overwhelmed and hopeless. However, by creating art from small, seemingly insignificant things, I seek out beauty and whimsy everywhere I go and in everything I do.