We sat down to chat with artist Ruth Tullis to learn about how she became an artist, what inspires her and how she stays creative…
What’s your background and how did you become an artist?
I have always been creative when I was growing up and always drawing whatever I could see, especially animals! After I graduated from university with a design degree and being in the real world working in retail, I realised I missed being creative so I decided to start selling the cards I was already making for friends and family!
How would you describe your own work?
Colourful, positive and happy.
Who are your biggest influences?
I was first influenced by the work of Anna Bond from Rifle Paper Co. I love her beautiful colourful floral paintings.
Where do you seek inspiration?
I get a lot of inspiration from Instagram, whether it be from different colours and quotes to patterns. It sparks an idea in my brain and then I start drawing to see where it will lead to.
What keeps you creative?
It’s my passion. I’m lucky enough to call this my job but it is also my hobby! If I’m stressed, bored or struggling, creating always helps me.
What do you do if you find yourself stuck in a creative rut?
I take a break. The hardest thing to do but always works. Go for a walk, work on something else, but giving myself time out from a project lets me gain perspective and see it differently after time has passed.
Talk us through your creative process
It can go from waking up in the night with an idea that I quickly write down, to seeing a quote that inspires me that I want to illustrate. I usually start with the words I want to illustrate and find a colour palette I want to use (that usually changes about 50 times while I’m creating) Then I start drawing on my iPad if I have an idea of what I want to illustrate or I start doodling to see what patterns I can come up with. Once I am happy with what I have I send it over to my computer and making the finishing touches (and probably change the colour scheme again!)
What memorable responses have you had about your work?
I design with the thought in mind that I want people to smile when they see my work and when people say ‘you made me smile’ it makes my day!
What’s the one piece of equipment in your kit you couldn’t live without?
Apple Pencil!
If you could give a piece of advice to your younger self – what would it be?
Stop thinking, just go for it!
Explore Moments from Ruth Tullis by downloading the Momentful app today on iOS and Android.
