What is growth for you?

Being able to to slowly develop my work without fear of failure. My work as an illustrator used to cause me a lot of stress and anxiety, but I’m in a better place now that I’m focusing more on my personal work.

What keeps you grounded?

Building Lego and playing football with my kids. Beach combing. I love looking for “treasures” when out and about:  Pebbles, bits of old shoes, driftwood, bone, rubber and rope. The opposite of diamonds and fancy stuff.

How do you connect with nature?

I live by the sea, so I go swimming as much as I can. “Wild Swimming” some people call it. The North Sea is super cold, but I love floating on the waves, spreading my arms like the wings of an albatross. And the light is incredible. Never the same.

What is a book that has inspired you?

I’ll have to say “Art Forms in Nature” by Ernst Haeckl. It has been a constant source of inspiration over the last 20 years and is really the foundation of all my flower pieces. 

What is your favorite plant?

I wish I could say I was good with plants, but I’m really not. I always forget to water the sorry cheese plants in my studio...So perhaps I’ll have to choose a tree. I love a good silver birch. A weeping one. They remind me of Norway where I grew up.