About

Beginnings, Journeys and Inspirations…

With comprehensive experience and versatile skills, my work bridges traditional art-making and digital precision across illustration, branding, print and web design. I enjoy widespread creative challenges — from custom artwork, to transforming complex information into attractive human-centred designs.

My passion is to create imagery that tells stories, forms connections and gives ideas a clear and compelling visual voice.

Ink drawing featuring three orcas swimming together — Fellow Travellers – Pen & Ink – Annette Abolins

Portfolio

Portfolio Galleries include examples of my work, spanning graphic & web design, digital painting and traditional art.

Nine Lives Art

Illustrated card decks, art bookmarks and original jewellery can be purchased from Nine Lives Art, my online store, where I’m always adding new creations.

custom illustrated playing cards spread out in a circle

Art Background

Formally trained in traditional fine arts (and later in graphic and web design), the visual world is where my imagination and expression thrive. During my art school years, I studied a wide variety of art forms (drawing, painting, screen-printing, print-making, photography, ceramics, design…) each technique contributing valuable inspiration, which I continue to draw on to this day.

After graduating from the National Art School (Sydney), I spent a decade teaching art at Newcastle Art School (ceramics and drawing) and producing work in my studio.

Through exploring art-making processes, techniques and mediums, I discovered a passion for digital painting and design (graphic & web), which took me on a new learning journey, involving formal training and on-the-job learning through my work with Silvertrees.

Wheel-formed ceramics bowl and teapot featuring bright colourful faces

Ceramics banquet with vivid red brushwork displayed in cellblock theatre at National Art School

Two paintings side-by-side featuring ocean inspired themes in blue hues

Creative Process

I work fluidly between ink, paint and digital media — where pen & ink remain central to my creative process.

Drawing inspiration from life, natural forms and the rhythm of line and colour, I bring curiosity, creative solutions and clarity to each project. Above all, I love collaborating — transforming ideas into visual stories.

Alongside graphic and web design projects, I have spent the past decade working at the local high school in a promotions role.

Managing the school website, designing publications and visuals, this work balances creativity with uniformity, where my key focus has been to develop and promote the school’s visual identity through consistent use of brand colours and graphics.