CLUSTER ILLUSTRATION SHOP

ILLUSTRATION JOURNAL

CLUSTER ILLUSTRATION FAIR

How and why did you become an illustrator?

I’ve always loved drawing, and one of my favourite hobbies as a child was to sketch portraits of singers that I saw on TV, as well as creating characters and building their outfits in computer games, which I’d then draw.

I wanted to follow an artistic route at high school in Italy, but everyone around me advised me that my work wasn’t really anything special, and discouraged me from doing so. I ended up studying surveying at high school, and then applied to study at a fashion school in Milan, but wasn’t accepted. I knew that I wanted to study something creative, and so followed my second choice, a BA in interior design. I’ve found the skills that I learned incredibly useful afterwards, but at the time I wasn’t entirely happy, and felt a little lost in life.

It was only when I moved to London, and attended an open day at UAL that I discovered it was possible to study illustration in the UK, and to pursue a career in it. In Italy our universities offer courses in fine art or graphic design, but not illustration, so I can honestly say that I wouldn’t have become an illustrator if I hadn’t moved to London!

What drew you to London, and why did you decide to move here?

I’d heard so many great things about London from friends who were artists, and said that there was a great artistic community here. After spending three years living in Milan, I knew that I wanted to go somewhere else, and as I wanted to improve my English, London seemed like the perfect choice.

How did you find the city when you first moved here?

Very, very difficult! When I first came to London, I booked a hotel for four days, thinking that would be enough time to find a house - of course I was wrong! I wasn’t organised at all, and didn’t know anyone in the city, so felt very lonely at times. I found it quite difficult to make friends, as it seemed that everyone in London was so busy, and so work-orientated. Now I actually find the city’s work ethic inspiring. I’ve learned so much from seeing how friends manage their career, and it was incredibly helpful when it came to establishing my own business.

What happened next?


Things became a little easier when I started studying at an English Language school and began to make friends there, but it was only when I enrolled on an MA in Illustration at Kingston University that I really began to feel part of a community.

At the beginning it felt a little intimidating, as everyone on my course was so good! But I loved the experience of being at art college, getting to know my fellow students, and attending exhibitions together. Not having studied illustration or fine art before then, I also found the course’s introduction to illustration incredibly helpful.

I also found that I learned a great deal from my coursemates, one of whom introduced me to collage as a technique, which I tried and loved! I felt like I’d finally found the missing piece, and my way to express myself.

What advice would you give to artists and illustrators thinking of moving to London?

Don’t do what I did! Allow yourself plenty of time to find somewhere to live, as it will take longer than you think.

If you are thinking of moving to London, I’d highly recommend East London in particular. It has the most amazing energy and atmosphere, and I think that as an area it has more to offer artists: more facilities available to them, more exhibitions, pop-ups, and events.

There is a wonderful community of artists and makers in London, and it’s so important to make connections with others. Reach out to people that you meet at exhibitions and events, and don’t be afraid to ask questions!

If you can, join an artists’ collective: I’ve been a member of Cluster for over two years, and it has really opened up a world for me. The Cluster Illustration Fair in 2018 was the first time I’d exhibited outside of a university show, and it allowed me to meet other illustrators, make friends, and find collaborators. It’s fantastic to feel part of something, connected with other illustrators, and that we are all walking the same journey together.

From the 12th to the 13th December 2020 Ilaria will be running an online event, The Feast of Saint Lucy, promoting the work of emerging artists, designers and makers. Applications to participate close on the 4th December. Learn more here.