hi guys!

so pumped to share some thoughts from caitlin shearer today. her drawings stood out to me and struck me as very real. i see real life + real feelings in her drawings. take some time to check out more of her work after reading through!

what is your background?
i have always loved drawing and making crafts and was nurtured in this regard by my incredibly supportive mother - so it's something i've been consistently doing since i was a child. i then studied art in high school, dabbled in art at university and have since finished a diploma in fashion design. inspiration has always come from the feminine form, and what it is to be a woman, changing physically and mentally over time.

how did you get started illustrating & selling?
i began selling online and taking on commissions after graduating from high school, as i had a few empty summer months ahead of me and finally had the time to commit to do doing what i loved. at that time i was doing it all for fun, but it's since turned into something which has been able to support me into my adult life, which is a treat!

what are your influences?
matisse, sylvia plath, 1970's design, ernie bushmiller's nancy, shirley temple, isabella rossellini, man ray, dali, matisse, vivienne westwood, john willie.

where do you get inspired to draw things?
i take my personal experiences and my moods and let them bubble into images in my head. i'm also loving plant life and human movement at the moment. the garden and the body are endless sources of inspiration for me.

what are you most looking forward to this year?
i'm looking forward to launching my clothing label and to further exploring the blue mountains, which i have recently moved to. i'm looking forward to making my dream life become my real life.

what advice would you give to makers who are just getting started?
perseverance is key, but love and passion for your skills and work is the most important thing! never stop learning, treat yourself to the knowledge of many different disciplines and be true to yourself when creating.

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caitlin will be giving away two prints to two lucky readers! this giveaway is open internationally. to enter, leave a comment below with your e-mail + instagram handle after you follow caitlin on instagram @caitlin_she! giveaway closes at midnight on june 2nd, pst. winners will be notified by e-mail.

thanks for sharing with us, caitlin! i can't wait to follow along with your clothing label. already so excited for it.

check out more of caitlin's work on her etsy, her blog and instagram.

photos courtesy of caitlin shearer.