@inmybackyardnz

26/5/2017

Instagram: @inmybackyardnz Facebook: www.facebook.com/inmybackyardnz Website: www.inmybackyard.co.nz

1. What's your story? Where are you from?

I live and work in a tiny town in the South Island of New Zealand. birdsflat

2. Tell us about your aesthetic.

My work often features plants and animals, and is sweet and cheerful with a handmade feel.

3. What is your favourite medium and why?

I use watercolour a lot, but also coloured pencils and gouache a little too. I like to mix media and love the happy accidents this creates.

4. What is your artistic process like?

Sometimes I will start with a sketch, especially for client work. Other times I just jump straight in with paint. I try to keep sketchbooks and look through them for ideas when I am stuck.

5. Who and/or what inspires your work?

I love many artists and designers - William Morris, Cy Twombly, Lowry, Alain Gree, but mostly getting out into nature inspires me the most. I am lucky to live where I do as I have so much inspiration at my backdoor.

6. What role does art play in your life? How does it change the way you view the world?

Painting and drawing plays a huge part in my life. It makes me slow down and look, and appreciate what I have. the_pond

7. Where did you study?

I spent a year at Chelsea College of Art and Design in London and did my degree at CPIT in New Zealand.

8. Where do you see yourself in five years? Working in an agency?

I hope to continue to develop my style, I want to keep working as an illustrator and hopefully have done more books!

9. What about in ten?

As above!

10. What do you hope to achieve with your art?

I hope that my illustrations will encourage people to take a closer look at the natural world around them and we have to take care of it before it is too late. dog_pile_proofv2434