Interview of Nea by Freya Bennett
We’ve loved working with you for so long — can you tell us a bit about yourself and what keeps you inspired as an artist?
I’ve been really loving collaborating with the Ramona team, it’s felt so natural and creatively fulfilling. These days, I’m finding a lot of inspiration in the little moments. I’ve been spending heaps of time with my cat Poncho (he’s a little menace but very cute), and just watching him go about his day sparks so many ideas.
I’m also currently taking a course with Inkygoodness that’s focused on illustrators. It’s been a great way to push myself creatively, especially through their briefs on children’s illustration. One of the best parts has been being surrounded (even virtually) by a community of fellow illustrators, it’s really motivating to see what others are working on and feel part of that world.
Your work always feels so full of warmth. When you start a new project, do you dive straight into sketching, or do you spend a lot of time thinking and planning first?
I love reading the articles. Once I’m done, ideas usually start sparking up. I begin by noting down key words, then dive into some very rough sketches. Once I’ve figured out the layout that works best, I’ll clean up the sketch and usually give it a day before starting on the colouring and textures (that’s always my favourite part!).
When things get busy, how do you keep your creative spark alive without burning out? Any rituals or tricks you swear by?
When things get busy, I’ve learned that stepping away from the screen is essential for keeping my creative spark alive. I’ve struggled with burnout recently, and what really helped was getting out into nature and giving myself permission to slow down. I also took myself to the NGV and just wandered through, taking time to admire the art without any pressure, it really helped get the juices flowing again.
One thing that’s become a bit of a ritual is sketching something small every day. At first, it was just for fun, no expectations, just whatever I felt like drawing. Now it’s become a way to warm up and stay creatively ready, even when things are full-on. Even silly little doodles can make a big difference.
Are there particular tools, colours, or little techniques you keep coming back to — things that just feel like ‘you’ in your work?
I currently work in Procreate, using watercolour textures and blending them with my digital work, but watercolour is where I started, and it’ll always have a special place in my heart. I love the texture and emotion that medium can capture; there’s something so expressive and raw about it.
Outside of commissions and collaborations, what kind of personal projects do you love to dive into when you get the chance?
I’d love to expand into product design and see my work come to life in physical mediums. I’ve been working on some ideas to make that happen and am really excited about where it could lead. I’m currently preparing a collection inspired in mythical creatures so stay tuned.
Is there a piece you’ve made that feels especially close to your heart — maybe something that really tells your story or captures a part of you?
This still life of Poncho that I made last year means a lot to me. It’s a simple scene (just my cat on my desk) but it captures a really calm moment in my life, when I was genuinely enjoying where I was and the time I had to rest.
What’s something you haven’t illustrated yet but would love to try one day? Any dream projects or new styles you’re itching to explore?
I want to illustrate on pottery—it’s something that’s always been on my mind, but I’ve never really had the time to explore it. It’s definitely on my bucket list.
