On my daily walks, I began to notice something…
I was being watched from the grass or from little piles of old leaves. Mushrooms turned out to be tiny, elf-like creatures, each with their own personality. They looked at me expectantly, as if wondering whether I had realised. And the more I paid attention, the more I saw, and the more creatures revealed themselves to me. Stunning, multicoloured beings—elves, gnomes, kobolds, and mythical creatures. Some sweet, others downright terrifying.
Each with their own story to tell…
Fantasy Illustrator Rooted in Traditional Art
I’ve been drawing and painting fantasy characters for as long as I can remember. Some of them come straight from fairytales and folklore, while others are born entirely from my own imagination. Take my mushroom folk, for example — what started as an art challenge on Instagram has since grown into a world of its own.
As a fantasy illustrator, I don’t limit myself to a single medium, but in recent years I’ve found myself returning again and again to traditional art. I especially enjoy the tactile nature of watercolor painting, gouache, coloured pencil, and pencil drawing — materials that allow room for imperfection, texture, and quiet storytelling.
Much of my inspiration comes from nature and from everyday life with my family. Our garden, woodland walks, and small, fleeting moments often find their way into my work. Our son, in particular, has become a wonderful source of inspiration — so much so that he now contributes ideas of his own. Our most recent Christmas card even became our first small “collaboration”.
These shared moments, imaginary creatures, and hand-crafted illustrations may well become the foundation for a larger story one day — perhaps even a book. For now, I invite you to step into my world of fantasy, tradition, and gentle wonder.