People often imagine artists working in light-filled studios surrounded by easels and paint-splattered walls, but for me, my studio is my living room. More specifically, my sofa. That’s where the magic happens! I’ve tried setting up at a table, but I always end up back on the sofa with my sketchbook or tablet balanced on my knee. It’s where I feel most comfortable and creative, and that’s really what matters.
Most of my pieces start with a photo or an idea that’s been floating around in my head for a while. I’m not one for working outdoors as I prefer to bring the outside in and interpret it from my own cozy corner. My inspiration can come from anywhere, but more often than not, it’s nature that sparks my creativity. The world around us, the changing seasons, the countryside, the plants and animals I see when I’m out walking my dog - all of these feed into my work. There’s something magical about translating those real-life moments into illustration form.
Emotions play a huge part in my process, too. Like most artists, my mood finds its way into every piece I create. If I’m feeling calm and content, my work often reflects that through soft colours and gentle lines. On days when I’m full of energy or feeling a bit restless, you’ll probably notice bolder strokes and brighter tones sneaking in. It’s almost like keeping a visual diary of my emotions with each print capturing a moment in time and how I felt when I created it.
Now, I’ll admit it. I’m a messy worker. I start out neat and organised, promising myself that this time I’ll keep things tidy. But give me an hour and I’m surrounded by a sea of paints, brushes, tissues, and palettes. Somehow, the chaos helps me focus. Maybe it’s the feeling that I’m completely immersed in what I’m doing, or maybe I just secretly love a bit of creative clutter! Either way, my living room tends to look like a colourful explosion by the end of the day.
That said, when it comes to the artwork itself, I’m a total perfectionist. I’ll tweak a line, adjust a shade, and agonise over tiny details that most people would never even notice. Knowing when to stop is one of the hardest parts for me. There’s always that temptation to add 'just one more thing', but over time I’ve learned that sometimes the best thing you can do for a piece is to let it breathe.
So that’s a little peek behind the scenes of my not-so-traditional studio! It might not look like much from the outside, but for me, it’s the perfect creative space, one full of comfort, chaos, and inspiration. Every print I make starts right there on my sofa, surrounded by colour, coffee cups, and a slightly confused dog wondering why I’m painting instead of throwing his ball.
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