Blog posts about my latest work and my adventures, both near and far.
Busy Being Busy
Commissions have for the most part, been keeping me busy. Focused. Productive. Can’t complain. And yet... Actually, let me just state, for the record, before I continue with this. I am very aware how very fortunate I am to be: 1. Doing what I love. 2. Being paid for it. This has not come easy. It has been due to consistent hard work over many, many years. (Read my blog post here about my journey to full time illustration). A continual pushing forward during the good and bad. It has challenged me, but it has been worth it. And perhaps it is because of this, that the very act of...
My why. Why I mentor.
The ‘pin ball machine’ years that followed the Summer I Graduated. I have thought long and hard about my why, whilst trying to avoid saying why it’s my why. After months of deliberations, I’ve realised it’s impossible. You can’t share one without sharing the other. Which is annoying. As it is incredibly hard sharing parts of yourself. It can, and will, change peoples opinion of you. Offering yourself up for judgement is both brave and deeply uncomfortable. There is undoubtedly a power to it, stepping into your story and truly owning it. So this is my why. Why I offer a little of my...
My 5 Small Mindset Shifts That Enabled My Big Career Shift
So first, a little background as to where the idea for this post originated from. Over the past three months, I have been offering a one-hour mentor Zoom call to graduates, soon-to-be graduates of illustration and those wishing to transition to Illustration as a career. I have always lacked a mentor, and to be honest back when I most needed advice, I wouldn’t have known who to reach out to or how best to find a good fit. This resulted in several missteps. My previous post on my creative journey in Cape Town (click here to read) touched upon this, and my complete lack of a roadmap...
A visual diary. San Sebastián Moments. With a road trip to Bilbao
What to do with all these photographs I take? Make a little visual diary Over the years I have spoken to friends (read that as moaned) about the lack of a hobby. It's the one downside of your passion being your career, For me at least. And yet (and this has taken me years to realise, and perhaps saying out loud makes me a little uncomfortable) I love taking photographs, Do I know what I am doing. No. Does it matter. No. Because it's a hobby, my hobby. I have a tendency to overthink these things so I'm just going to enjoy taking photographs and seeing what looks good and captures a moment and...
Full Circle. Time travel. Back to where it started – Cape Town.
Me and Cape Town, we go way back. We have a history. It's messy. And glorious. Lessons were learnt there that were needed. It really was the making of me. It gave me space and time to chase my dreams and build a whole new career as an illustrator. It was a period of huge growth, and with that came a whole lot of discomfort. I landed in the city one person, and left nearly five years later another. I know this is cliché to say, but without my stint in South Africa, I know I would not be where I am today. Or who I am. And for that I am truly grateful. The rollercoaster was worth it. At the...
Farewell Oscar. Farewell January.
Everyone who gets a dog, a cat, or indeed any pet signs a contract. That contract is simple. You agree to your heart being broken when it’s time to say good bye. The fear of this pain has put many a potential owner off. And I know it has stopped, or at the very least slowed down previous owners, as the loss is vast and deeply painful. I said goodbye to my little Oscar this month, and despite knowing it was coming (he was diagnosed with Cancer back in Summer 2023) it didn’t make it any easier. There are some things in life that are impossible to soften. And this for me was one of them. Like...
Recap 2024 – for me it was the year of food illustrations
I am fully aware that it is a cliché to do a year recap and reflect. But that is also the charm of January. I am not one to turn my back on a new beginning. I rather enjoy the leaning into the new with a fresh perspective. The turning of a page, a new chapter, I find it all rather satisfying. However, with that said, there is alway a great deal to learn by looking back. Part of being a creative is to keep evolving, and keep learning - and that requires some reflection. Spotting where there are gap's in my folio. These highlight opportunities that I may have previously missed, new areas I can...
For The Love Of Live – Meagan De Lima x Caroline Tomlinson Illustrated T-Shirt
I was approached in early 2022 by Toronto based advertising agency, We Are Juliet to work on a creative collaboration. The agency were pairing musicians with illustrators who they felt were suited to each other. The brief was to capture the essence of the musician, with the final to be printed on a T-shirt. The concert t-shirt for cancelled performances due to the lock down back in November 2020. With proceeds from each sale going to the musicians. This is my limited edition illustrated t-shirt created for musician Meagan De Lima.. I wanted to create an organic, nature inspired piece. A...
Choose Love 2021 Exhibition – with Print Club London
- every sale 100% ped all consisted group Choose Love was back in 2021 ! Over the last few months of 2021 - myself and many other talented artists were busy working on original artworks for the CHOOSE LOVE 2021 exhibition. Curated by Print Club London the group exhibition consisted of over 50 original artworks - with each artist making their mark on the iconic Katharine Hamnett’s CHOOSE LOVE’ slogan . All the sales from the exhibition, and online sales through Print Club London, raise money to support the incredible work of the wonderful charity - CHOOSE...
Behind The Scenes – The Art of Beauty – Stylist Magazine Collaboration
After a long lockdown the reopening of hair and beauty salons is worth celebrating. And so is the opportunity to go out and get dressed up and apply some make up. I was commissioned to work with Stylist team and make up artists to create a story celebrating all things beauty, using a combination ink & make up. Using a variety of materials and mark making methods - great moments were captured fully embracing the use of colour and capturing an energy. A true celebration of a new Season . It. was a wonderful shoot, working with a very talented team. Here are some...
Shortlisted for CA Illustration Awards 2021
A little piece of good news worth sharing - my fashion illustration inspired by Paris Fashion week has been Shortlisted for CA Communications Awards 2021 for Self Promotion Category. Which is further proof if you draw what you love (in this case shoes) - good things happen.To see more of my studio and work in progress - click here.
Spaghetti Magazine Feature
Spaghetti Magazine interviewed me from my studio in Shoreditch on how I stayed inspired after a year of no travel, what's next for 2021 and dream collaborations. To read the full interview, which is in Italian and English click here And to watch a short film about why travels inspires me and a look into my studio click here. To see more of my studio and work in progress - click here.
In Her Studio Magazine Feature
In Her Studio Magazine invited me to write a piece about my studio. My space has become a sanctuary for me over the years.A Different Kind Of SanctuaryOftentimes, images of what is deemed as, or sold as, a “sanctuary” are often all white and glass, containing curated bookshelves, a selection of perfectly mismatched soft furnishings, and plants that are in achingly stylish vessels. These images convince many that this is what a sanctuary should look like. To say my studio has been a sanctuary, especially during these recent months, would be an understatement. And yet my studio looks...
A little bit about me…
Hello, Welcome to my blog. Here I share my thoughts, experiences and inspirations on my trips of wanderlust. Along with the highs and lows of my day to day of my working weeks.