INTRODUCTION

Hello! My name is Flora, and I am an artist and illustrator based in Australia. I have loved to draw, paint, and make for as long as I can remember. My father is a writer and my mother is also very creative; I grew up watching her knit, make clothes, write Japanese calligraphy, and work on craft projects. From a young age, I was exposed to a creative world and knew early on that I wanted to be an artist, although what form that would take I hadn’t yet discovered.

I studied textile design at art school and after working as a textile designer, my focus turned to illustration. This was not a difficult transition, as I had already been applying my drawings to textiles and knew how to work with color.

When it came to building a portfolio, however, I felt stuck. Where should I begin? I fantasized about all the exotic countries where I thought I should be traveling to find inspiration and new color palettes to energize my work. I do believe that travel can fuel new ideas, but it wasn’t possible at the time, so I set myself a challenge to draw only the things in my immediate surroundings. I snooped through my cupboards and went for walks, taking notes and making sketches. I soon realized that the world around me contained an abundance of drawing inspiration.

As I made patterns and paintings and experimented with different tools and materials, my style started to emerge and objects that were dear to me appeared throughout my portfolio. A little bit of my personality was embedded in my art. Soon, my work was seen by art directors, eventually leading to illustration jobs. I now create art for various clients around the world, from book publishers to food-packaging and stationery companies.

In this book, I share ideas and tips for drawing every little thing you see around you. I encourage you to start at home and then venture out, all the while keeping your eyes open. Notice things you might typically overlook. Stop to take a photo or make a quick sketch. You will be surprised by just how much inspiration is waiting for you right on your doorstep!