Yes, very much so. I guess some of it is that British connection, but I also think that living in the shadow of a larger country; that being the USA and Australia, has created a similar temperament to the people.
I also feel pretty blessed to be exposed to the beautiful Māori culture and tikanga. I still have so much to learn, but it very much inspires me to live life differently.

I think both these practices have forced me to simplify how and what I create. Editorial illustration is often about getting to the concept of an idea or words visually, in the simplest and most impactful way. An illustration can be relatively small, so there is this restriction to how much you can put into an image.

My paper stencil technique with screen printing requires that I design within the parameters of very simple, relatively large shapes.
I like the challenge of deciding what not to put in a piece of art just as much as what is going into the composition or design. It’s certainly a harder thing to do, and I can often find myself overthinking an idea.

I start my working day with coffee while catching up on some news, social media, making my ‘to do’ list for the day. If there is something on my easel, I will take this time to consider the next step for it, and then I will work on that for most of the morning.

My second coffee break is a chance for me to go through a sketchbook, or photographs to find my next possible painting. I will spend this time roughing up a composition to put onto a canvas, along with some quick loose colour blocking of shapes, which helps to give the idea some structure and direction.

Most of the day is spent painting, with usually an hour doing admin, like returning emails, ordering art prints, restocking my online shop, and prepping canvases for future paintings.
Some days are spent on the computer touching up scans of my paintings, so I can add them to my list of available art prints. There is always a creative project or task that can easily fill an eight hour day.