Who I am and How I work…

I’m a freelance illustrator based in Aotearoa New Zealand, creating warm, playful illustrations inspired by family life, childhood wonder, and the small everyday moments that often mean the most. My work is filled with expressive animal characters, textured digital watercolours, playful details, and gentle storytelling that invites children — and the grown-ups reading alongside them — to pause, smile, and see a little of themselves in the page.

Many people are surprised to learn that I work entirely digitally! I’ve experimented with all kinds of traditional media over the years, but once I discovered Procreate on the iPad, it quickly became my favourite way to create. I love that it allows me to take my work anywhere, while also giving me the freedom to play, experiment, and explore textures and marks I might otherwise be too nervous to try.

Even though I work digitally, I’m always trying to capture the little imperfections and richness that traditional media brings. I usually begin with watercolour-style washes, then build up layers of colour, chalky pencil textures, messy ink drops, scratchy sketch lines, and playful details to give my illustrations a soft, handcrafted feel. I love leaving traces of rough sketches visible — it helps the work feel alive, expressive, and full of personality. For me, it’s all about creating illustrations that feel playful, textured, and full of life.

Most of my ideas begin with a feeling or relationship I want to capture — a quiet moment, a funny family interaction, a childhood emotion, or a small act of kindness. I love the early sketching stage, where characters slowly begin to reveal personalities of their own, often leading stories in completely unexpected directions. It’s a mix of observation, imagination, and playful storytelling, and it’s always exciting to discover what appears on the page.

Living in New Zealand strongly shapes my work. I’m proud to celebrate our landscapes, wildlife, humour, and sense of home through my illustrations, often using earthy colour palettes and locally inspired themes and characters.

Alongside picture books, I also enjoy creating illustrations for greeting cards, products, workshops, and educational spaces. Above all, I hope my work helps people connect through shared emotions, imagination, and the warmth found in everyday life.