Finding my freedom in Illustration

Illustration has always been an escape to me and one of my main passions. From doing silly sketches of my friends at work to novelty art prints to sell, illustration allows me to exaggerate features and ideas rather than focus on strict realism. (However much I wish I were as good at realism as my mum!) 

For me, illustration is more than just drawing; it’s a creative escape, just like all my passions are. It’s a way to shut myself off and explore new worlds while expressing my imagination and emotions. 

One struggle I often face in my work, however, is the feeling that it's never truly finished. There is always something to improve or change. Where I once would have seen this as a negative, I now realise my art doesn’t need to be perfect. After all, perfection is different to everyone. To me, art is not about perfection but about expression and growth. Every piece becomes a stepping stone in developing my style. 

Much of my work is inspired by women and the idea of exaggerating their features to challenge traditional expectations of what a woman “should” look like. 
Through illustration, I’m able to experiment with shape, colour, and expression in ways that feel more imaginative than traditional realistic drawing. It allows me to express more of my own emotion and personality, offering a unique lens into the way I would love to view the world. This freedom is what makes illustration such an exciting creative practise.

I have always been inspired by artists like Kelly Anna, whose illustrations feel so freeing and full of movement and surprise. I'm also inspired by Kadna Anda, particularly for her detailed style and her juxtaposition of colour. Artists like these encourage me to push my work further and create illustrations that celebrate individuality rather than being realistic. 

In the future, I hope to continue developing my style and become confident and free with my work. I want to spend less time overthinking how my illustrations look and enjoy the process, just as I do when I'm sketching casually. I'd also love to explore different themes, such as animals and landscapes, to broaden my portfolio. 

One of my ultimate dreams would be to work in the illustration industry and help shape the imagination of readers, whether it be children's books or fantasy like the A Court of Thorns and Roses series. But ultimately, I hope my creativity encourages others to express themselves freely and embrace the imperfect but exciting process of illustration.