Hi, I'm Abbie, a Manchester-based illustrator and crocheter creating whimsical pieces to brighten your day. I'm 27 and work as an assessment practitioner at a mental health team by day, but my real passion comes alive when I'm creating.

I've loved art since childhood, drawing with my sister and grandmother, who are both talented artists. But it wasn't until I was 18, taking on a 30-day drawing challenge, that I truly discovered my passion for it. For years, I worked exclusively with graphite pencil, until 2020 when lockdown gave me the space to experiment with oil paints. That opened everything up.

Now I work across different mediums, enjoying the freedom to switch between them depending on what the piece needs. I'm constantly inspired by the world around me — people, places, animals — which is why I can never stick to just one thing.

I love art, elephants and the colour orange, so there was no better name for my little art shop than Orange Elephant. Every piece I create comes from that same spark that started with a pencil and a challenge all those years ago.