FK are very excited to collaborated with Sydney based artist Andrea Smith on our new Find me, Keep me range, which will be available at the upcoming Brisbane & Sydney Markets! Andrea shares with us about her world.

How did you start your art journey and how long have you been creating?
I have been drawing ever since I can remember. I used to illustrate and design my own magazines when I was young. I always knew I was going to be doing something creative. At first I studied fashion design at East Sydney but after that I realised it was illustration that I loved more than sewing so I decided to study illustration and design and haven’t looked back. After graduating I started freelancing and have been fortunate to work with some great clients over the past 3 years.

How would you best describe your work and what is your favorite mediums?
I would describe my work as nostalgic, intricate, bold and whimsical.

I tend to work across a broad range of media depending on the brief. That said, collage has been my favorite medium for a while. I am always on the lookout for different kinds of paper and fabric, whether it be vintage or new and I love mixing the different textures and patterns together.

Lately I have been painting a lot of textures myself which I then cut out and layer. I have also been working with paper cuts. At the moment I am playing around with paper techniques as I love the simplicity of one single colour juxtaposed with complex and intricate designs.

Where do you find your inspiration?
Nature is a big inspiration for me as there are boundless patterns and shapes to explore. I also look at botanical illustration, old children’s books, fashion magazines from the 50’s, record covers, treasures that I have uncovered in op shops and markets. I usually have a little cache of things that inspire me. It could be a particular paper, a colour that I am obsessed with or an image I have found… anything really.

What other artists do you admire?
I really admire the work of Charley Harper, I love his nature inspired illustrations, bold colours and simple style. Andy Warhol’s early fashion Illustrations, Edgar Degas, Alice and Martin Provensen, Yoshimoto Nara, Rob Ryan, David Downton, Beci Orpin and WeBuyYourKids.

What is your creative process?
Most of the time it starts with me drawing to get the ideas that I have running through my mind onto paper. From there…well, to be honest, sometimes you’re inspired and it really comes together. Other times you have to work at it a bit harder to get it right. I usually have a bit of a theme or an interest that I want to experiment with and I spend some time researching and gathering reference. Once I am happy with the composition I will take the final sketch and begin the fun part of cutting it out.

What is your workspace like and what do you like to have around you when you work?
I work from my studio at home. It’s in a 1930s block with high ceilings and big windows that give tons of natural light. It looks out onto bottlebrush trees that are home to families of rainbow lorikeets.

The walls are covered with images that I find inspiring as well as endless ‘to-do’ lists. Then there are piles of books and magazines and paper…lots of paper! You could say it is a happy mess. I can’t work without plenty of earl grey tea and music either.

How has the journey been in establishing yourself as a professional artist?
It has been a lot of hard work. Late nights and constant deadlines are the norm and I have found it challenging to run a business especially with an artist’s disposition. It is all worth it in the end because it is such a great feeling when the work starts to roll in and I’m lucky to be doing what I love to do everyday.

What personal work are you working on at the moment, and what areas would you like to expand into?
At the moment I am busy working on new collages, prints and paper cuts for the December Finders Keepers markets. I’m in the process of designing a new website and blog and I really want to turn my illustrations into a whole stationery range including gift cards and wrapping paper. I am also currently in the midst of new commercial projects which include packaging illustrations, textile prints and logos.

http://www.andreasmith.com.au

FK talks to Ant Hayes, a Sydney artist who was one of our runners up in our recent Art competition.

How would you describe the style of your work?
Black and white doodles of pyramids, tentacles and faces with the occasional splash of colour.

What is your background and when did you start illustrating?
I studied Digital Media at the College of Fine Arts in Sydney and then I worked in television for about 4 years, doing motion graphics. I decided to take a bit of a break and do something completely different, so I packed my bags and moved to Tokyo at the start of last year.

I started illustrating just for fun during university, mostly vector based stuff but it wasn’t until I was involved in a group show at start of 2009 that my passion for illustration was re-ignited.

Who would you say inspires your work the most?
I’m always drawing inspiration from many different artists and designers so It’s difficult to say who I would find the most inspirational, but some of my favourite artists include Tanadori Yoko, The Yok, Takashi Murakami, Kozyndan to name but a few.

What do you find most inspirational about Tokyo?
For me it’s the fashion. People here really put a lot of effort into what they wear and they aren’t afraid to try something a bit different. There’s also a great blend of handmade / custom and the designer that I find really refreshing.

Describe your workspace and surroundings and what your creative process is.
My desk is everything. I spend a lot of hours there so it has to be a nice space for me. Organised chaos is probably the best way to describe it, with pens, paper, magazine clippings, toys and rubbish all over, but for some reason I find that comfortable.

I carry a sketch book with me most of the time so I can write/sketch out any ideas I have wherever I am. Each project always starts from an initial sketch or three, whether on a piece of paper or in photoshop. I then refine it from there.

What advice would you give others wanted to follow a similar path?
I don’t know if my path is long enough for me to give advice about, but I think the most important thing is to stay motivated and to always be doing something. It’s very easy to put your pens down and a lot harder to pick them up again.

What has been your favourite project or exhibition and why?
Medicom Toys, who make a large number of designer toys and collectables, had an exhibition here in Tokyo last year and I decided to see if I could generate hype about a toy that didn’t exist. So I customized one of their ‘Be@rbrick’ figures and made a fake advertisement stating that it was only for sale at their exhibition. I managed to have a popular design blog pick it up and I was amazed at how quickly the story spread. I had a whole load of collectors contacting me asking how they could get their hands on one. It didn’t take long for people to figure out it wasn’t real. It was quite funny though to see how easy and fast it was for a story to spread on the internet.

I’m also really enjoying customizing shoes as well. The reaction has been really positive and I get a real kick out of people wearing my art.

What does being a finalist of our Finders Keepers Art Competition mean for you?
Its definitely nice to have people appreciate what you do, it makes all the hours sitting at my desk worth it. It’s also great to get some more exposure, which hopefully might lead to some new and exciting projects.

www.antisant.com

FK talks to Beth Emily,  an illustrator from Tasmania who was one of our FK Art Competition finalists

Describe your style of work and how it has evolved over time.
The personal work I create for Beth-Emily is based on my long-held passion for figurative illustration. I regard my collection of illustrations to be like a public record of my personal exploration and interpretation of forms found in nature. As an illustrator, my style is constantly evolving over time. But of late, my style comes as a result of my process, where I study a subject closely, recognise its unique idiosyncrasies and then build upon these characteristics using my imagination and through mark-making, textures and layers.

What is your background and what lead you to art?
I’ve always had a vivid imagination and, from a very early age, I found that drawing was a fantastic outlet for me to express my thoughts and ideas. So, in retrospect, it seems only natural that I felt the urge to pursue a career in a creative field. I undertook my academic studies at the Tasmanian School of Fine Art, where I elected to study the creatives disciplines of printmaking and graphic design. After graduating in 2007, I had a few jobs here and there, but none of them were on a creative level that held my interest for very long. So, in 2009 I decided to find a part-time job in order to set up my own illustration practice alongside the collaborative design studio, Floatingworld.

What mediums and materials do you work with most, and what is your favourite?
Paper, pencil and graphite (most of which ends up all over my hand as I’m left handed). However, I also love creating hand-generated textures with watercolour, paints and ink, as they can provide depth, details and tones that can never be replicated by pencil.

What has your art journey been like? Where would you like to see it take shape in the future?
Drawing from my own experience, it takes a lot of hard work, time and knock-backs to become a successful creative. I’m not even halfway there yet! But the ride is worth it. There are so many opportunities to meet other like-minded creatives, share our experiences and learn from each other’s journeys.

How has Hobart and your surroundings influenced your work?
There are not many cities like Hobart. For instance, in our house you can look out one window and see a mountain dominating the landscape and then go to the other window and see an expansive waterfront! We are really lucky because the natural wilderness is an everyday part of our existence. I live five minutes away from Hobart’s CBD and I have a menagerie of animals frequenting my garden. In a way this closeness to nature has fuelled my passion to study it and understand its many wonderful elements.

Tell us about your design and art studio Floatingworld.
Floatingworld was conceived in early 2007 by Tom Fitzgerald (my fiancé), Alecia Lanzlinger (close friend) and myself. The idea was to create a multi-disciplinary studio with a visionary approach to design. Quality, integrity, ethics and sustainability are our priority and we have a strong focus on collaborating with other like-minded and talent people. In early 2009 we established our studio in the heart of Hobart and are continuing to learn, laugh and collaborate.

What do you love most about living and working in Tasmania?
The Tasmanian landscape is sublime and its creatures are wonderful. That proximity to nature constantly inspires my imagination and helps remind me of the bigger picture.

What does being a finalist of our Finders Keepers Art Competition mean for you?
Being a part of the Finders Keepers Market is a wonderful opportunity for me to share my artwork to a national audience. It allows me to show people what I love doing and hope to inspire them to do what they love, too. I’ll also get the chance to meet new people and talk to them about their passions over tea and biscuits. My shout.

www.beth-emily.com

How long have you been an artist for, and did you always think this would end up being your job?
I graduated from art school in 2001 and started having exhibitions soon after, so I guess I would say about eight years. I have only ever really been interested in making art, however it is a challenge trying to make it work as a ‘proper’ job. This includes trying to maintain a balance between different areas such as illustration work and my etsy shop so that I still have enough time to sit and draw.

How would you describe your style of artwork and how has this evolved?
Drawing is the basis of everything I do, I love to draw. My work also has a strong narrative element and this has evolved over the last four years. I am really trying to get more depth and complexity in my work while also maintaining the tension and balance of positive and negative space on the page.

What materials do you prefer to work with and which ones would you like to explore more?
The materials I use in all my drawings are pen, ink, watercolour and paper. I love paper, it is such a beautiful medium to work with. I am currently planning work for an upcoming solo exhibition so I am thinking of new techniques and materials to explore. I would like to create more three dimensional work, using paper and fabric, such as picture boxes and sculptural pieces. I would also really love to make an animation, I’m currently working on a collaboration with a local Melbourne dj which may result in an animation made to his soundtrack which would be very exciting.

Who is your favourite artists?
I have many favourites however the ones that have stayed in my ‘favourite all time artists’ list for more than a few years include Tracey Emin, Keiko Minami, Betsy Walton, Vania, Klimt, Mucha, Audrey Kawasaki, Jen Corace, and Evan B Harris. There are many more though.

What other areas of life inspire your artwork?
Most of the time it is the interactions I have with the people around me. I like to spin my narratives out of everyday situations, using certain objects, animals and plants as symbols to create a whimsical image. I also love fables, gypsies, music, spooks, pretty girls, sailing ships, twins, classic mythology and various other curious things.

Did you find it challenging to set yourself up as a professional artist? What advice would you give to other artists to make that step?
I must admit it was a very organic process that evolved slowly. Although I always knew I wanted to be an artist it took me a while to figure out exactly how I was going to tackle it. In hindsight I can see that all I needed to do was start making a lot of work, everyday. I had to get it out of my head and onto the page. I then found the huge art community on the internet and becoming involved in that helped me show my work to people in the outside world.

What has been the most suprising aspect of your career so far?
I’m surprised that I get to do this everyday. I get to sit at my desk and draw pictures and occasionally people give me a little bit of money for it so that I can pay the bills and keep going. Sweet.

Where would you love to see your art used?
Oh you know… book covers, magazines, beer labels, postage stamps, biscuit tins, tattoos, high art galleries, low art galleries, film clips, the credits on a feature film about a twisted sailor’s mistress, shoes, in collaboration with sweet music makers, in your bedroom, entertaining you on rainy days. That kind of thing.

What direction and ideas do you have for the future?
I really admire people who are entirely dedicated to what they do and do it very well. I want to be like that.

http://www.catherinecampbell.net/

How long have you been creating art and how did you get started?
I’ve been creating art since the good old days of playdough sculptures and handmade mother’s day presents but it’s really only been the last year or so that I’ve started to take my art seriously and sell my work. It all began two years ago when I drew a picture of a girl holding a giant goldfish for my friend’s birthday which I then entered into the annual all-female Curvy book.  That was a great springboard for getting my artwork recognised and it gave me the confidence boost I needed to keep drawing and make a go of it.

What is the main inspiration for your work and how would you describe your style?
The most inspiring thing to me has always been nature. It’s something I will never grow tired of exploring as there’s always something new and incredible to discover. I like nature documentaries and remember being fascinated with the National Geographic magazines as a kid. The other big influence in my work is the fairytale aspect of the make believe and of things not being what they appear to be. I always struggle at defining my style but I guess it’s quite feminine, ethereal, detailed and delicate, folksy, dreamy and nostalgic.

When and how did you realise, this what you wanted to do with your life?
I’ve always dreamt of doing art full time but never thought it would be financially possible. I was working in a 9-5 job that was making me miserable. I knew there was something else I should be doing with my life so I took a risk and quit my job to pursue something that I really loved doing. At the time, drawing was kind of like therapy for me. It sounds a bit cheesy but it really changed my life around.

What other artists influence you?
Arthur Rackham, Norman Lindsay, James Jean, Kay Nielsen, Edgar Degas, Max Ernst, Henry Darger, Yoshitomo Nara, Tim Walker, Andy Goldsworthy, Ray Caesar…too many to name!

What other areas of life have shaped your work as an artist?
It’s always the simple things in life that are the most inspiring to me. Things like going for long walks, exploring rainforests and creek beds, cloud watching, storytelling, listening to music, stargazing, weekend roadtrips, visiting antique shops, staying up late and listening to the owls and crickets outside…It all influences my pictures in some way.

How would you describe the art & design scene in Brisbane?
It has really come out of its shell in the last few years. You used to have to know where to look for it and do a lot of digging around but I find that it’s much more accessible now. Brisbane has some really great galleries that promote young contemporary designers and artists.

What have you learnt most about establishing yourself as an artist?
You have to keep working at it every single day and constantly push yourself to get your artwork out there. You also realise very quickly that it’s not like a regular 9-5 job. You don’t leave the office in the afternoon and switch from work mode to play mode. You never really get a break from it. Ideas come at three in the morning, or on the train or when you’re cooking dinner, whenever and wherever. You have to really love it because it becomes your life.

Where would you like to take your art in the future?
To the Louvre! Ah just kidding. I would like to tackle a children’s book sometime in the future, make some kids toys, ceramics and jewellery, work with brilliant musicians and directors and exhibit my artwork all over the world!

What advice do you have for other artists hoping to follow in your footsteps?
Believe in yourself, be patient, be honest, be brave and be determined. Also, don’t be deterred by criticism.

http://www.courtneybrims.com/

FK chat to Dawn Tan about her illustrations, her obsession with meat and plans for the new year…

How would you describe the style of your illustrations?

Fun! Whimsical and crazy all rolled into one! I hate reading. But I grew up loving every single one of Roald Dahl’s books. Simply because they were so magical, especially when paired with Quentin Blake’s drawings. I love Quentin Blake and he’s my number one art hero!

What is your background and what were you doing before you started the label?
I’m from sunny Singapore and I come from a whole family of creatives. My cousins were card illustrators, piano teachers, art teachers….I’ve always loved painting and making things. Like any other kid, I went to school and had to do all the boring math and science classes. ( Yucks! ) But I tried to get out of all the boring sciency stuff as soon as I could! Right after high school, I went straight to design school and taught little kids art, while schooling. I fell in love with painting and illustration towards the end of my design diploma and after a year of working, I hopped onto a plane and moved to Melbourne to do a degree in Fine Arts ( Painting ) at the Victoria College of the Arts VCA. Somehow, being in a whole new country + full freedom = going crazy making art! I thought to myself, this is it! It’s now or never! So I challenged myself and went all out to make crazy, fun usable art pieces. Being in art school, a lot of my classmates made paintings suited for galleries. I was never really into the whole gallery thing. I’ve always enjoyed art that’s accessible.  Even grannies can use it! That’s what made me start my label. I wanted people to be able to pay an affordable bit of cash and own one of my pieces which they can frame or use in anyway they like!

What are some of your favourite websites/blogs for inspiration?
Ooh, I have lots! Too many to list! But if I really had to pick 5, I’d say:

Wikstenmade: blog.shopwiksten.com
Closet Visit: closetvisit.com
For Me For You: forme-foryou.com
Lena Corwin: blog.lenacorwin.com
Odette: www.odetteny.blogspot.com

As you can tell, these are all blogs that have a totally different aesthetic to mine. They’re mostly filled with pictures and a few words. I’m often inspired by textiles, nature, handmade goodness. These favourite blogs of mine all have beautiful photography and I often feel like I’m in a different place when reading them. They’re like magic!

What do you love about living in Melbourne?
As crazy as this sounds, I love Melbourne’s weather! I know! Everyone hates it and says how it’s wacky. Hailing one moment and bright and sunny the other! But yes. I really do love how unpredictable it is everyday. I especially love Autumn. I live near the Botanical Gardens so it’s really beautiful in Autumn. The trees lining the road to my house drop lots of crunchy golden leaves. And Lucky me, I get to stomp on them. Totally love it! And of course, the food’s great. There’s always new places to explore and hunt down! And one of the best bits, which I have yet to mention: The people. Everyone’s so encouraging here. The entire handmade community is so supportive of each other. We’re like a big family! You should see how crazy it gets during Christmas! Everyone’s down at craft markets shopping local! It’s so awesome!

How has your creative style developed over time?

Believe it or not, I used to paint really girly stuff. Lots of pink and floral stuff. But over the years, I find myself becoming a bit crazier and doing things that are weird/ funny at the same time. For example, I made some really big soft sculptures last year. I even paraded in one while at the National Gallery of Victoria. All in the name of fun! And most recently, I made some meaty pillowcases! I was intending to make a whole huge queen sized duvet cover. Filled with sausages. Oh yes! I thought a whole repeat pattern of bacon strips and sausages would look cool when shrunk to a tiny size. Imagine a boyfriend entering his girlfriend’s bedroom. From a distance, he sees a big pink duvet cover. Aww. Cute. She likes pink flowers! But as he inches closer, “ Oh my god! MEAT? WHAT THE HECK! SHE’S A CARNIVORE!!!!!!!” Now wouldn’t it be funny? Haha. Too bad my boyfriend thought it was too crazy and idea and I settled for some meaty pillowcases instead! One day I’ll make that meaty idea come true!

What can we expect to see from you in 2012?
More funny pillowcases! I’m all for making things/ art that appeals to both genders. I like making things that old grannies laugh at. I want to make lots of fun things like meatball umbrellas, stinky fish lunch bags, sashimi pillowcases, brussel sprouts and mushy peas on kid’s shirts maybe? There’s so much I want to make! And of course, I’m aiming for more fun kids and adult painting classes too! I really enjoy teaching and spreading my love for art with everyone! So hopefully I get to host more classes! The world needs lots and lots of creative people. The more the merrier I think! 2012 is going to be exciting!

www.dawn-tan.com

FK talks to Presser from Dead Galaxy about the art of his collage making, and his upcoming exhibition Life Dust.

Tell us about the world of Dead Galaxy.
Dead Galaxy is the name of my art project/ company name. It is named after of 1 of my collages. I used to joke with friends that my house was a dead galaxy, a other universe where strange shit would happen. I guess it’s in reference to a loss that made me fall apart but now it’s just a name I like to work under.

Give us a little insight into your history and how you discovered art making?
I played drums in Gerling for 14 years. During that time Darren (Gerling) and myself did the artwork for our albums. I would spend most my time off tours and on weekends doing collages, kinda bedroom art. Nothing really left my house, I sold a piece to a friend and rest sat in the spare room of my house. When I moved out, my Aunty was intrigued by the collages and said ” You gotta do an exhibition!” so I did. That was November 2007, and I’ve spent the past 2 years getting this exhibition together.

Where do you gather all the resources to make your awesome collages?
I use books and magazines from the 60′s-80′s. I spend hours in op shops and second hand book shops digging through the fantastic old and forgotten images. I give them a new life as part of a collage. I don’t use computers, everything is handmade and considered.

What kind of messages do you like to convey in your work? are they planned before hand or do you let the images do the talking?
Most of my work features a subliminal message, subtle or immediate. I name each piece but I prefer people to get their own translation of the artwork, rather than explaining the purpose. I’ve created a few pieces by having a vision in my head, and searching hours on end to create the piece. Some take forever to finish, some could be finished overnight, and sometimes adding 1 tiny thing will change the outcome.

What inspires you and what are you always searching for?
My inspirations come from alot of different elements. Sometimes a dream, music or a certain emotion can draw out those components that I can react with. I was on valium for a a while, shit I created some very interesting work… I don’t think I’m really searching for anything, just set a goal one after the next.

You had your debut exhibition last year, what was the reaction like and what did you learn most about running your own show?
Yeh, the first exhibition was in 2007. It was only up for one night, I wouldn’t do that again though. Too much work and stress for a 4 hour display! The main thing I learnt about doing a show is that you need plenty of time and good people to help along the way. The exhibition itself was a total success and I was so emotionally impressed by the response, and being basically a word-of-mouth event, there was plenty of people and it was pretty much a sell out show.

What would be your ultimate project to work on?
I got a few projects I’d like to do. I’ve started doing t-shirts for bands, so far I’ve done t-shirts for Decoder Ring and Dappled Cities. I’d like to do album covers and even do skateboard decks. I wrote a book that hopefully will see the light of day, but also to be able to do exhibitions overseas would be fantastic.

Can you give us some insight to what new things we can expect to discover at your new exhibition Life Dust on Feb 25th?
All this work for Life Dust was created while dealing with depression. The artwork itself helped me regain my life, pulled me out of the shit hole that I was in. To me this exhibition is very personal, almost an insight into a mind that was lost for a long time. To me, this is a start of a new life and I hope that people will see the light that I have been rewarded with. 2010 = good times!

Life Dust will be showing at:

Mart Gallery
156 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills

26th Feb to 13th March
Gallery open 12-5pm Tues – Sat

Dead Galaxy’s Facebook

FK talks to Emma Kidd, a Sydney based artist/illustrator obsessed with monsters and the strange. Emma was also a runner up in our latest Art Competition.

How would you best describe your work under your art label Benconservato?
I have been creating under this title for around 10 years. I tend to do more illustration and Lomography these days, all very whimsical, a tad strange, spontaneous and sub-conscious.

Explain to us the name Benconservato and why you chose it.
Originally Ben Conservato was the name of my jam brand. It means “well preserved”. Cooking was my passion, I wanted to open a vegetarian / vegan restaurant. Then I decided I didn’t want to hate cooking for myself, so I went back to just working in restaurants. I liked the name so much, I just kept it.

When did you begin creating art and what is your creative background?
I have always drawn and painted. I went to Art School, travelled overseas and did years of multi-plate photographic etching in Italy. I have done a few years of graphic design too, but sitting in an office as a full time job, working for someone else makes me feel dead inside.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?
I can’t actually say outright. I would be inspired by others for sure. I do a lot of moleskine exchanges where you draw in a moleskine and send it on to the next person. Eventually you get it back full of other artist’s work. I do watch a lot of documentaries too. Animals mainly, dinosaurs, natural wonders, science. Life is just generally very inspiring.

What mediums do you love working with most?
Paint, especially gouache is my favourite medium. Next would be ink.

What is your creative process?
I tend to try to get down to working like a full time job. I don’t really sleep in. I might start with some quick things to get moving. I like to think a lot about what I am going to draw before I do so. I am not really a sketcher. I dislike re-doing things, which is how it is sometimes.

How has the journey been in setting yourself up as an artist?
It has been a little bumpy sometimes, sometimes you have doubts, but I wouldn’t be happy if I couldn’t do some type of art, so it is just a part of my life.

What does being a finalist of our Finders Keepers Art Competition mean for you?
Oh, I am very excited about it. It is a huge honour! The piece I created was really subliminally created. I was feeling a little stuck and used tea on the paper to get my mind moving and the stains told me what to do. It is a little out there, but I am happy with it.

www.blog.benconservato.com

FK chats to lovely Melbourne illustrator Emma Leonard, who recently debuted at our Melbourne Finders Keepers.

How would you describe your style of work?
I would describe my illustrations as being soft and feminine, and both controlled and spontaneous at the same time, often capturing a sense of fluidity and movement.

What is your background and when did you start illustrating?
I have always loved to draw but kind of left it on the back burner for a long time until about twelve months ago. I was working full time in retail for a several years but found that I became really dissatisfied with doing the same thing everyday, so I took the plunge and quit my job then spent the next few months to really figure out what I really wanted out of life. I drew almost everyday and quickly realised something I had always known, that illustration was the job for me! Now I juggle studying illustration full time with freelance illustration jobs and running my own business selling prints of my work. I’m always busy and don’t get to sleep much but the sense of satisfaction I get from it all definitely makes it feel worthwhile.

Who or what inspires your work?
So many things! Other forms of art and design, including typography, textile designs, interiors, found objects and museums, but most of all other illustrators. Some of my favourites at the moment are French graffiti artist Miss Van, Finnish fashion illustrator Laura Laine, and American painter Audrey Kawasaki. It’s probably no surprise that they all illustrate women!

What do you find most inspirational about Melbourne?
I love Melbourne because you don’t have to go far to find like-minded, creative people. And there is so much talent in this city that you could never get too big for your boots, because there is always someone else whose work is so amazing that you can’t help but be jealous!

Describe your workspace and your creative process.
My workspace can be a little chaotic at times as I work from home. I usually start out by coming up with a concept or idea and doing some small thumbnail sketches to work up into a line drawing which is transferred down onto illustration board. My line work is usually in pencil or ink then.

What advice would you give other artists/illustrators starting out?
Create your own opportunities to get your name out there. And don’t be afraid to approach the people and companies that you would love to work with, the worst thing that can happen is that they will say ‘no’, but they might love your work or be able to offer you some valuable advice. And always keep a sketchbook near by, inspiration can come at any time…

What has been your favourite project or exhibition and why?
The past twelve months have been full of exciting projects that it’s hard to narrow it down to just one, but a highlight would have to be taking part in my first group exhibition, Ladies First, and seeing my work beside so many other talented female illustrators including Courtney Brims, Caitlin Shearer and Jo Dyer.

What did being part of the first FK Melbourne market mean for you?
It has been a big thrill to be apart of the first Melbourne event. All the people that stopped by my stall were excited to be there and were overwhelmed by the talent on show. It was also very validating to have so many people say such kind, positive things about my work.

www.bonesbraidsandatricycle.blogspot.com