about me
How I became a graphic recorder, designer and illustrator, what drives me and inspires me, and how I can help you create eye-catching images and documents.
Graphic recorder, graphic designer and illustrator
An Australian in Sweden. A parent, a gardener, a maker-of-things and a flamenco enthusiast.
I studied Communications (Public Relations and Organisational Communications) at Charles Sturt University in Australia.
I started my career at a public relations bureau, but moved fairly quickly into marketing and events roles for charities working with environmental issues and mental health services.
My roles evolved to focus more on storytelling for internal communications and fundraising support. This included writing and producing annual reports, brochures, promotional videos and newsletters.
After taking time off to travel South America and Europe I ended up in Skåne, in southern Sweden. I had always wanted to experience life in another country, and circumstances conspired to keep me here.
Although I quickly learnt to speak Swedish, I realised that I needed a communications skill that wasn’t dependent on a perfect mastery of language.
Visual communications was the answer!
I honed and updated the skills I had from my time as a communications specialist, through formal studies, a very good mentor and many hours of practice. I registered my business and the work started rolling in.
Why not
sign up for my newsletter?
I send it about about once a month. It is the best way to find out about my limited-offer deals and competitions. (Because, as we all know, social media is a fickle friend.)
It’s personal and professional at the same time, peppered with recent work, drawings and sketchbook pages. I always include a few good links to things that are beautiful, thought-provoking or amusing and often give my readers a free image for their private use.
I respect your privacy and will never ever share your information.
what do i care about?
environment
Let's leave our descendants the world the world they deserve. The environmental issues we are facing are complex and can be hard to understand and impact. On a daily, local basis, I come home from walking the dog with my hands full of litter that I have found on the side of the road.
mental health
My early career in marketing for a mental health non-profit left me convinced that better mental health will make the world a kinder, safer, happier place.
We need to teach our children how to take care of their mental health. In order to do that, we need to teach parents how to take care of THEIR mental health!
the natural world
We were not meant to spend our lives staring at screens. Humans need open fields, green leafy forests, wild animals, muddy puddles and abundant vegetable gardens.
We are not the only ones on this planet that need this to survive and thrive: insects, animals and plants need less concrete and more nature.
neurodiversity
It is estimated that 25% of people in my part of the world are "different". That's a lot of people who are having trouble at school, work and in social situations. Greater understanding of neurodiversity can help them, and the other 75% of the population too!
community
Community makes us strong: family, friends, relatives, neighbours, acquaintances, the people you wave to on the street but have never spoken to... these are important. Online community can be helpful too, but I rate real-life connections very highly.
body positivity
We CAN rebel against the harmful ideals that are presented to us. Our bodies are miracles of evolution. Let's use them and enjoy them, instead of comparing them to others.
Freedom!
education
- BA Communications (Public relations and Organisational Communications, Charles Sturt University, Australia
- Österlen School of Art and Design, Simrishamn, Sweden
- Cross Media Design, Runö Folkhögskola, Stockholm
- Find Your Creative Voice, The Good Ship Illustration
- Business Course for Creatives, The Good Ship Illustration
- Live Illustration, The Good Ship Illustration
