I was introduced to illustrator Natalie Taylor‘s striking work by a friend and was instantly drawn to her bold yet intricate style and in particular her monochrome work (which features the occasional splash of colour, mainly in the form of red lips). Many of Natalie’s monochrome illustrations have a classic, art deco vibe; strong female characters appear to be her preferred subject matter and hand drawn figures feature aztec and tribal patterns on clothing or surrounding pattern. Surreal elements add a quirky twist and introduce a modern feel to Natalie’s work. Her colour based illustrations features bright acid tones and are distinctly surreal. Here is what Natalie had to say when I asked her a few questions about her work…
How would you describe your work to someone who has never seen it before? I would describe my work as tongue in cheek, surreal, dystopian snippets of the world we live in.
Where do you find inspiration for your illustrations? I find inspiration for creating my illustrations everywhere really, but especially from interesting fashion photography and music.
Are there any other illustrators or artists whose work inspires you? I am a massive fan of Julie Verhoeven’s work, I love the mix of colours she uses and the impressive line work.
Do you have a favourite illustration that you have drawn? Which one and why? One of my favourites is the piece ‘Headcase’ as I think it represents how I feel quite a lot of the time!
‘Headcase’ by Natalie Taylor
What are you working on right at this moment? I am currently working on some new pieces inspired by the 1980’s movement Memphis, busy monochrome prints and fun imagery being my main focus…
What do you enjoy most about illustrating? I enjoy being creative with my illustrations, breaking rules and making connections with others
Is there anything coming up later this year that you’re excited about? I am planning some T-shirt designs later this year which i’m really exited about. Looking forward to seeing my designs on a different platform than the usual pen and paper!
See more of Natalie Taylor’s work here.
Design, travel & more 