When did you first get into drawing?

Drawing was my favourite hobby as a child and I never grew out of it! 

Putting pencil to paper has always been a little like therapy to me, a break from all the noise and a chance to process anything that might have happened in the day.

I have always used drawing as a means to communicate various ideas or projects.

Why did you choose to make fashion part of your inspiration?

It came very naturally for me to combine fashion and drawing as I have always loved drawing and I have always been attracted to fashion, art and aesthetics in general...

I studied Fashion Communication and Promotion as my undergraduate degree at Central Saint Martins and until recently worked full time in the fashion industry, so I drew what I was submersed in, however I am mostly drawn to interpreting the human figure 

What is your particular working day as a creative? 

Capturing movement is an essential component in everything I paint or draw, and nature is a constant reference. 

That said, it's really important for me to get out of the house first thing in the morning and either go for a long walk or do some other form of exercise. It prepares me for the day ahead.

I am lucky to be currently based in Sydney with the ocean on my doorstep, which has influenced my drawing in many ways.

When I draw, I usually do so for a period of 3 hours at a time so to maintain my concentration and not risk overcomplicating the artwork.

What tools do you use when creating your images?

My pieces are realised in 3 stages:

After I break down my chosen subject into different shapes and colours,

I first use a type of spatula to paint the main body elements with acrylics, so to maintain a sense of movement and spontaneity.

I then layer the abstract painterly forms with drawn paper cut outs once the paint is dry, followed by pencil, charcoal and oil pastels to further define the subject if it's needed.

Overall, I try to communicate the essence of my subject whilst maintaining a very balanced composition. 

Who and what has influenced you over the years as an artist?

Artist Robert Morris' gestural Blind Time drawings and felt sculptures have always inspired me. They've given me to some extent a certain understanding of space and form, pushing me to rethink or even completely dismiss the conventional outline of a person or object, and rather focus on how the mass at hand can be interpreted and translated onto paper.

With photography taking care of the literal, I think that fashion illustration these days needs to differ from a photograph as much as possible, and rather convey a unique hand-drawn interpretation which subtlety reflects the essence of the subject.

What advice do you have for younger artists looking to be part of this industry? 

My advice would be to connect with a broad range of people. I've experienced first hand that liaising with people from different fields of expertise tends to (positively) influence your way of thinking and drawing in unexpected ways.

I really believe that cross pollination through collaboration can open up new possibilities and directions for creatives, both professionally and personally. 

What are you drawing today? Music you are listening to? Books you are reading? Favourite artist/designer at the moment?

With the global pandemic raging on, I miss going to the ballet and the opera. I am currently watching and making pieces inspired by the Symphonic variations ballet by Frederick Ashton, which celebrates the beauty of movement. Drawing from dance is how I developed this style of drawing in the first place, and I love going back to it to further explore the moving figure and gestural mark making. 

As for... 

Favourite designer... I have too many to choose from!

Favourite Artist (at the moment)... Ronan Bouroullec

Books you are currently reading... A Field Guide to Getting Lost by Rebecca Solnit and A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

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