1. Early Life & Path Into Illustration
- Childhood beginnings: won colouring competitions; early fascination with book design and publishing.
- Formal training: grounded in graphic design and illustration. Her time working in design for publishing shaped her foundational skills.
- Influences: natural forms (flora/fauna), everyday characters, film posters, children’s books.
2. Signature Style & Visual Language
- Color palette: bright, saturated colors; playful contrasts.
- Textures & pattern: frequent use of organic shapes, nature-inspired motifs.
- Typography: expressive lettering integrated with illustration—typography is not just text but part of the visual voice.
- Subjects: animals, children, plants, whimsical everyday scenes.
3. Portfolio & Notable Works
Here are several standout projects:
| Project | Description | What Makes It Distinctive |
|---|---|---|
| Children’s books & covers | Detailed illustration work that tells story through visuals. | Flow of illustration + text; compelling cover design. |
| Licensing & puzzles / gifts | Designs applied to physical goods: jigsaws, gifts, packaging. | Adaptable style, scalable, playful. |
| Beer cans, commercials, advertising | Applying illustrative voice to commercial products. | Balancing brand messaging and personal style. |
4. Creative Process: From Idea to Finished Piece
Step by Step:
- Idea / brief: gathering client brief, researching themes, mood-boarding.
- Sketching: pencil or digital roughs; exploring composition.
- Development: refining sketches and integrating typography.
- Mediums & tools: often working digitally, possibly with traditional textures or hand-drawn elements.
- Finalization: color, layout, production files; adaptation for different formats (print, packaging, digital).
5. Evolution Over Time & Influences
- Early works vs recent: increasing complexity, more confident typographic integration, broader range of licensing.
- Influence of publishers and clients in pushing style forward.
- Cultural / regional influences: nature and landscape from New Zealand informing color, light, mood.
6. Typography Meets Illustration
- How she uses letterforms—not just as captions but as visual components.
- Examples where typography is custom-drawn versus using existing typefaces.
- Balance: readability vs artistic flourish.
7. Challenges, Lessons & Tips for Aspiring Illustrators
- Managing workload and client expectations.
- Keeping consistent style while adapting to varied briefs.
- Building portfolio usefulness: showing both finished products and the process.
- Finding opportunities for licensing and representation.
8. Public Recognition & Representation
- Representation by Bright Agency and International Rescue for licensing / commercial work.
- Clients include children’s book publishers, gift/licensing companies.
- Awards / notable features: recognised in guides such as Great Books Guide etc.
