Abby is an illustrator and printmaker from Glasgow. She creates personal, connection-based work inspired by nature, relationships, and pop culture. Everything Abby makes is a form of self-expression in some way, whether that be her love for the outdoors, a current binge watch, or her permanent state of nostalgia. Abby’s latest artistic obsession has been bookbinding and riso printing, which has led to some interesting exploration into both mediums. She is currently completing her degree in art & design at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

See Abby’s work as part of our annual Summer open call, Something in the Mirage, which runs July 17th to August 8th, featuring an incredible collection of works by twenty nine artists inspired by the dreamlike shimmering of summer sunshine, heat hazes, lingering afterimages, or maybe the momentary glint of something half-seen and half-imagined in the dappled golden light.

Hi, Abby! Tell us, how did you arrive at the theme of your work?
I was reflecting on my past projects and trying to figure out what inspired me most in my work and the common denominator was nature. Whether that be taking inspiration from plants, going on walks to clear my head, or loving the natural colours of the outdoors, it all influences my work in some way. I created this project through the months of January to May, meaning that the environment was rapidly changing. This led me to creating a piece about the beginning of spring and bidding farewell to the grey skies of winter, especially the Scottish grey skies!

How do you overcome creative blocks?
This is a bit unorthodox, but I will watch YouTube or a tv show and imagine the people as cartoon characters, visualising in my head how they would look as a funky, animated version of themselves. This helps me to get back into the groove of having fun with my art.

What do you do to keep motivated and interested in your work?
I usually do some crochet pieces to change my way of thinking for a while. It really helps me to have multiple creative outlets at once so that nothing is becomes stagnant.

How do you know when a piece is complete?
An artwork can never be finished, but I find it helps to set myself a deadline. This imaginary date gives me a reason to step back from the work and say it is complete.

Are there any upcoming events or additional information you would like the audience to know?
I am open for commissions, and I currently have some work for sale. For more details, please send me a message on Instagram!

Get in touch with Abby and see more of her work on Instagram. Something in the Mirage runs at Six Foot Gallery until August 8th 2025.