About Me
I’ve always been crazy about colours, materials, mediums — all the possibilities of the visual arts. Drawing and painting can open the door for change and greater connection with ourselves and others.
I grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and currently reside in New Zealand. In both places, my imagination is constantly at work. I take continual inspiration from art history, galleries, books, cities, people, a walk down the street, and anything I encounter.
My work typically begins as a loose series of doodles and sketches. I then add traditional media marks and finish the images digitally to create unique illustrations rendered in my own distinct style.
I would be happy to discuss your upcoming illustration projects. Take a look at the work featured on this page and feel free to reach out!
Work
I love to personify animals and inanimate objects. Giving them human qualities is a humorous, playful exercise. Suddenly these creatures and objects possess their own intentions and purpose, and we find ourselves relating to them!
These kind of illustrations also evoke feelings of nostalgia, magic, and the absurd. They’re inventive, surprising ventures — always tinted with a fitting splash of colour.
Projects
Grandma's Garden
This series of illustrations grew out of classes with illustration agent Lilla Rogers and children’s book author Zoe Tucker. Zoe supplied the text for us to explore during the course.
I decided to work in black and white to suggest the story’s memory-like quality and the main character’s present sense of lack. At the same time, the pencil strokes also evoke a sense of childlike playfulness.
All of the illustrations remain monochromatic except for the last one, where the memories come to life.
The story’s portrait of a unique relationship between a grandma and granddaughter reminded me of the tender feelings I have toward my own grandfather. I was aware of how these feelings fed into the work, and I see them reflected in the final product.
An exploration on growth,
imagination and change
This project explores the possibilities and limitations of dreaming, imagination, action, and women’s choices, while tapping into deep emotions of frustration and joy. It conjures a sense of playfulness and humour that both children and adults can relate to, and reminds us that growing up is a journey that should never end.
Contact Me
I’m open to new collaborations! Get in touch below.
For any literary or publishing inquires, please contact my literary agent Ariana Philips at the Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency (aphilips@jvnla.com).
- (64) 274-234567
- contact@laurabalian.com
- @laurabalianillustration
- LauraBalianillustration
I typically reply to all email inquiries within 24 hours.