We are thrilled to welcome Sally Leach to the agency. Since studying Fine Art at Kingston University, Sally has worked extensively on installation projects up and down the country. From turning the shop front gallery of East Dulwich‘s Space Station 65 into a living room, to creating a 20ft zebra for Bestival Radios headquarters, Sally has enjoyed great success in this field. Whilst working on these projects Sally has created an illustration portfolio, which draws on the playful, naive style she’s developed through her installation work.  Sally’s use of vibrant colour and her sense of humour has already ensured her work has been a success across publishing, editorial and advertising projects. Sally’s Client list includes, Bestival Radio, Theatre Royal Bath, EggMag, The Guardian, National Theatre Wales, Green Magazine, Field Day, 580 Limited Group (Regional venues) Diesel D:U:M Radio, En Masse.

Where did you study?
I studied Fine Art at Kingston University on a lovely little Art campus by the side of a river. For my degree show I made myself a replica of a Grandma’s sitting room, the walls covered with murals.

Why did you decide to become a professional artist?
I’ve been making images for as long as I can remember really. As a child I used to sit out in our garden with a huge pieces of paper, slopping paint all over myself and sometimes even eating it.
I can’t think of anything quite as exciting as bringing a character to life or getting inside the adventure that is making an image. I guess that’s what has naturally led me to sharing that passion in a professional sense; I want people to feel that excitement.

What inspires you?
I’m drawn to things that are bright, colourful and humorous, and anything that is outside the norm. I love the work of illustrators that bring a childlike magic to their work such as Mary Blair, Herve Morvan, Pepa Prieto, Lili scratchy, Helen Dardik, Alan Gree and Ben Newman. I spend loads of time looking at crafty blogs and also people watching is very important as human interaction often forms the basis for my illustrations.
Oh, and I will always have a life-long love for The Muppets.

What’s your working process?
When I’m given a brief I always do lots of research, which can include reading any supporting text or sketching out elements of what I want to include. Some things I like to draw from memory, as I don’t always think representation has to been 100% accurate.
I work and rework the composition till I have a nice clean line drawing, which I then add colour and texture to digitally. I also find it important to draw independently as I feel it keeps my work fresh.

How would you describe your work?
My style is predominately character based. Playful and simplistic, often using vibrant colours and themes. It is childlike but not always for children; naive but with a quirky truth. I love adding a human element to projects in any formats, from 2D illustration to murals and 3D characters. I like to make work people can relate to and leave them with a smile.

What’s your dream project?
Something multi-formatted. An installation that would be both site specific and travel with its audience. Something involving drawing in unexpected places that would appeal to those of all ages.

Lucy Truman’s bright and sunny artwork was the perfect choice for Deborah Wrights feel good novel ‘Swimming With Dolphins’. Lucy’s cover perfectly compliments this romantic adventure, which transports the reader on a journey across the world on heroine Julia’s mission to complete her ‘Ten Things To Do Before I Die List.’

We are thrilled that Melvyn Evans’ fantastic artwork ‘Thames People and Tides’ won the silver award in The London Transport SERCO prize for Illustration competition. From hundreds of entries, Melvyn’s artwork was awarded the silver prize.

The theme of this year’s competition was the River Thames, entries had to feature the river as a central feature of London and London life.  The brief was to create an artwork that was colourful and positively portrayed the river as an exciting and varied place for Londoners and visitors alike, which Melvyn’s artwork did wonderfully.  Melvyn’s illustration will be used across Transport For London’s upcoming advertising campaigns.

The 50 shortlisted images will make up a month long exhibition, running from the 10^th of May until the 3^rd of June at the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden. The SERCO Illustration Prize is in partnership with the Association of Illustrators and the London Transport Museum.

Sean Sims has created a fantastic series of new prints, which are being showcased at the Brighton Festival ‘Open House’ exhibitions this weekend. Drawing inspiration from his beloved hometown Sean has illustrated all aspects of Brighton life. Below is Sean’s take on the annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run and the beachside Seafood and Oyster Sheds. To see more of Sean’s prints head to the ‘Yarn and Glue’ Open House this Saturday.