How long have you been an artist? Is it something you have always wanted to do?

I’ve been an artist for over 20 years, but I stopped for a while due to my mental health; it’s only in the last 3 years that I started up again. I think Lockdown made me rekindle my love of art.

Are you a full-time artist? If not, can I please ask what you do?

I’m more or less a full-time illustrator now.

You certainly have some talent. Are all your skills self-taught, or did you have any formal training?

I had some guidance from my fraternal Grandmother; she taught me the basics of using watercolour. Apart from that, I’m self-taught and have influences from Quentin Blake and Van Gogh.

How would you describe your style?

Quirky, colourful, original and definitely unique.

You mention you are providing tutoring. Can you please tell me a little bit more about that?

I only started tutoring a few years back, I was at an art fair, and a lady asked if I’d help with her son’s art tuition for his exam. I also give short lessons to people and friends through multi-media like Instagram; people want advice and pointers.

Do you ever get a creative block, and how do you work through it?

I get creative blocks every so often, and getting out of a mental block is tricky. I usually just walk away from my little studio for a few days; I give my art a complete rest, then go back to it. My imagination then comes back to me.

Where do I find inspiration for my art?

I’m my tiny studio I fill it with things that inspire and get my creative juices going. I use to go to alot of alternative markets and brought some weird little sculpted creatures and I’ve brought stuff from my friends shop of curiosities, I’ve got hats and wands and steampunk stuff aswell. They all give me ideas and inspiration. Or I could just walk down the road and see a tree or a random flower or squirrel and that could set my imagination off.

If you could find the perfect commission, can you please describe it?

If I could find the perfect commission, it would be for someone like Tom Hanks. That would mean the world to me as I admire the actor and would do one of my quirky portrait illustrations of him. Would love the chance to do so.

What advice would you give to some that is looking to get into illustration?

 I would recommend to anyone to pick up a pencil, pen, brush or whatever you have lying around.. art has really helped my mental health, it just centres me or reboots me if you like, even if you think you can’t draw, you can!

Do you have any goals you want to achieve in the next 2 years?

I hit a few of my goals in the last year or so; I started selling my art Internationally as I sold a few pieces to the USA and Australia. I’d still like to illustrate a children’s book; I’ve come close but not yet…