How did you get started in graphic design?
My formal university education was in visual arts and education but I never really had my heart in becoming a teacher. I found myself becoming obsessed with graphic design when I was going out with a web designer, so I gleaned what I could from him and taught myself the rest. I worked very hard to prove I had the technical skill to mix with other qualified designers and spent some time working as an in-house graphic designer but it was high-stress with few personal rewards. The graphic designers I looked up to were autonomous and executed work that was successful and heartfelt – I wanted to be communicating with people instead of just telling them what to do. Eventually I decided to throw myself into my own creative practice, which combines graphic design and illustration. I’m not really the sort of person who likes back-up plans, I guess I believe that if you’re passionate enough about something you’ll work at it with a crazy passion until you make it work!

Who are your role models?
My graphical heroes are Alphonse Mucha, Stefen Sagmeister, Jessica Hische and Marian Bantjes.  My personal heroes are Beth Ditto and Dame Barbara Cartland.

What kind of pens do you use?
I am currently deciding which brand I like best: I have used Sakura Pigma Microns for a long time but someone suggested Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens and I am really enjoying using them. They have a much rounder tip than the Microns, and drawing rounded objects like paisleys and other ornamentation feels much more comfortable with such a tip.

What is your process?
To start with, I will usually do up a rough sketch blocking in elements and if I am incorporating lettering I will experiment with size and scale as well as the sort of letter forms I want to illustrate. The second sketch will start to refine these forms. I usually trace on to my good paper after this stage, using either tracing paper or a lightbox. If I am using coloured pencil or watercolour, I usually lay it down before inking. From there I will ink with my finest tipped pen, then build up line thickness and ink larger areas with Carbon Black ink and a brush.

How long do your drawings take?
If I’m just doing an off the cuff doodle, it can be anywhere from an hour to 4 hours. Maybe longer, depending on how big the piece of paper I’m doodling on is. If I am creating a typographical or illustrative piece, the preparation time is much longer; I can spend up to a week refining my sketches. Generally I like to do work in large blocks of time with minimal interruption so I can be working on a piece from start to finish over a 24 hour period. It’s probably not sane, but I get lost in my work!

Can you tell me exactly how you draw your paisleys?
No. Exploring your own (visual/ otherwise) language is part of the joy of having a creative practice. I wouldn’t want to rob you of that.

I think it would be cool if you drew _______, can you draw it?
If you’re looking to commission work I’m more than happy to fit you in my schedule (contact me, yo!) but I have my own concepts to explore in my personal work and never enough time!