What I Do...

I specialize in children’s book illustration and fine art. I like to exhibit my fine art practices and observe the reaction of people to my work and the context surrounding my ideas. I like to create interesting, emotive pieces of art that convey feelings and ideas. I chose to study Illustration for my degree because I am very intrigued with the natural world and magical themes. Illustration allows me to explore this relation in a way that is accessible for young children.  I enjoy working with a range of materials using different methods of print and image making to produce cards, posters and even bespoke books. I aim to capture and evoke feelings of love and soulful beauty, to bring colour and magic to children and adults, to excite and inspire through the wonder of nature and the limitless capabilities of fantasy. I take my visual inspiration from my garden and natural surroundings. Animals feature heavily in my work, I like to explore narratives that follow animals and give an insight into their lives and habits. I was always aware of the difficulties working in such a competitive industry, but studying at Plymouth College of Art has helped me to understand what is needed in terms of skills, self promotion and the importance of being proactive in finding contacts and getting my work seen by as many people as possible. I have been working on my blog and creating a good professional online presence. I would to exhibit as much as possible and get my work to the right people through networking and attending events. I also will try to enter as many competitions as possible. The main problem at this stage is trying to stand out from the crowd, as there are hundreds of illustrators looking for similar work. My plan is to continue working, developing my own style until I find the right contact and make the first step to becoming well known.