Sometimes we just need some positive affirmations to get us through the day, right? Inside issue 110, you'll find the cutest (and relatable) bonus poster courtesy of Glasgow-based artist, Heedayah Lockman. We had a chat with Heedayah about her style, how You Can Do It came to be and where she finds her inspiration. 

Tell us a little about your art and creative style: I love drawing female figures, food and still life. I like to find ways to entertain myself while drawing, it’s almost like a game I play with myself to keep things interesting. I would say my style is still evolving, I’ve learnt a lot just in the past year and I’ve still got a lot to learn so I’m not set on something yet. I’m currently working on defining a good colour palette that can form a distinct identity. For now, I like using irregular, dry ink strokes and bright colours in my illustrations. 

When and how did you first begin making art of any kind? Growing up I didn’t really shine in any classes aside from maths and art. From a very young age I think my mum encouraged me to do art in order to stop me doodling on the walls in my room. In any case, perhaps it was a way in which I felt I could get her attention.

I studied architecture at the university where I learned both analogue and digital architectural drawing techniques. By the end of my studies, I began exploring the more creative side, illustration and graphic design. By the time of my final project they had taken over my interests completely and I just used the opportunity to do what I enjoyed which was a lot of fun and has inspired me to take my passion more seriously and turn it into my profession. 

My first series of illustration work revolved around food and still life in an isometric tile grid. I found joy in illustrating food, and it allowed me to build my portfolio and get a foot in the door.

How did your artwork, You Can Do It (now featured as a frankie poster!) come to be? When I began taking Instagram more seriously, I started to have moments of self-doubt. The numbers game of followers and likes got to me and I felt like it compromised the actual purpose of sharing my work. The way in which it makes you compare yourself with your peers felt emotionally draining. Nonetheless, as artists, we need to be active on social media as self-promotion for our business, getting more projects, etc. 

Cats have been a big part of my life growing up and they always cheer me up, some of them have this attitude about them that they will never give in and I find that to be both inspiring and very funny. The illustration encapsulates how I try to amuse myself out of a bad spot and keep going.

Where do you find inspiration and creative motivation? I can be quite a nostalgic person, so childhood snippets of fun are often a good source of inspiration. As someone who works remotely, I find myself more motivated when I work at a cafe, where I get to observe people and have an eye out for nice book covers. 

I get inspired by some of my favourite illustrators such as Katie Smith, Josephine Rais and Laura Callaghan.

What’s next on your ‘to-draw’ list? My 'to-draw’ lists are endless and growing but I think I’d love to draw more animals, as they are always so fun to draw. I’d also like to draw an entire collection of food-based postcards which might come off the back of a current commission project illustrating a cookbook, which is my dream come true! 

Where can we see more of your work? I’m active on Instagram, and you can find me at @heedayahlockman. Alternatively, you can check out my portfolio here.