Ellen

Hi, my name is Ellen! I'm an aspiring artist/illustrator from the UK.

I started loving illustration in part due to the wonderful illustrations in books I read as a child (mainly Quentin Blake's wonderfully energetic characters) but also because of 'bluey's' - drawings that my dad sent me on blue paper when he was away in the RAF. These were simple images, coloured pencil drawings that my dad had made of him waving to me in different situations, sometimes in a four-by-four, sometimes just stood in the centre, smiling. I remember being amazed that my dad could draw like this - as a child I didn't know any grown-ups who drew! I've also been really inspired by my mother, who makes beautiful embroidery, framed cross-stitch and lavender bags for the people she loves. She's always making something!

My biggest creative influence has to be other artists, both modern ones that I like to follow on Instagram, and those who have come before - I adore Beatrix Potter. I'm also inspired when I see places of natural beauty. I love going to National Trust sites, the stunning gardens and houses there are incredible, and I love to imagine what it would have been like to live there.

I've decided I would like to be an artist, so I'm on Domestika to hone my skills, improve, and have fun. One day I'd like to write and illustrate my own book!