Liverpudlian illustrator Michelle Hird was first exposed to the creative possibilities of illustration at art college, which encouraged her to pursue a BA in Multimedia at Liverpool John Moores University. Influenced by manga comics, Disney and great modernist artists like Klimt, Mucha and Khalo, she grew up with a flair for drawing. “Being a cartoonist is all I ever wanted to be,” she told Cluster. It’s a dream she realised in 2017, when she published her first storybook Binx the Jinx, from which spurred a sequel in 2019, Binx Lost in France, both published by Tiny Tree Books. She’s now based in East London and works full time as Head of Illustration for accounting company Sage.

Growing up, Michelle was engrossed in cartoons like Disney’s Little Mermaid and Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away. “My sister and I were always so particular in choosing the right cuddly toy or figurine in case they were defected,” she explains, “We scrutinised character development and knew if a new artist had drawn a cartoon for Looney Toons by its specific features.” These pastimes and behaviours served her well, and can be identified in her wide-eyed characters and detailed narrative composition. There is a certain nostalgia, or familiarity in her Disney-esque drawings, that draws one back to the imaginative possibilities of childhood.

Michelle uses Pinterest as a go-to for instant inspiration. “I try to find references for form so I can sketch out the composition correctly,” she shared, “but every now and again I will bend the rules of reality to fit the narrative.” Once she’s happy with her sketches, she moves them into the digital realm, using Procreate, Photoshop or Illustrator to introduce shape, colour and alter the composition. Michelle joined Cluster hoping to learn from a network of creative peers, “sometimes working in isolation cuts you off from other techniques which may be more efficient than your own”, she added. Currently, she is producing a range of Thortful greetings cards whilst working on book three - Binx in Cyprus - and school readings with Binx for this year’s World Book Day.

Likewise, Valia Black has always been drawn to bright, graphic art, from street art to vinyl toys, “that’s always been my obsession; colour and bold, happy things,” she added. Valia studied at Glasgow School of Art in the late 1980s, an experience that led her to quit art altogether for almost 20 years. In the last few years, however, she’s rekindled her passion for illustration, in part thanks to encouragement from tattoo artist Morag Sangster. This time, her focus is on digital art. “It’s been game changing for me,” she told Cluster, “the ability to draw anywhere without making a mess.” In fact, it’s been so inspiring that she’s recently begun to paint again, “bold, colourful abstracts that make me so happy to create them.”

Similarly, her illustrations are arresting in their bright, cartoon-inspired palettes. “I have never been someone that steered toward realism in any way,” she explains. Her stylised characters are defined by arresting outfits, bold backgrounds and striking features; usually rounded eyes that are further enhanced by a subtle, line-drawn nose. Her work is playful, and the fun she has making it is evident as a viewer, infectious even. “Working out how to draw what I want has been fun, finding out how to solve things,” she goes on, “often my drawings make me laugh, and though I do sometimes get frustrated, I’m in a place where all I want to do is draw.”

Her process is also digital, working from her Ipad (usually with two or three dogs on her lap, she tells me) while using reference images on her phone as a guide. Most of the time, she starts with simple black lines, looking to create strong shapes, however, over the last few months she has started sketching more as a base for building upon. “I’m excited to see how my style grows and changes as I develop,” she added. With Cluster, Valia hopes to gain confidence as an artist and gain practical advice from the industry experts. Right now, she is working on improving her technical skills through life drawing classes and looking to get involved in collaborations and exhibitions.

Through their playful, cartoon-inspired illustrations, bright colour palettes and infectious enthusiasm, Michelle Hird and Valia Black awaken the child inside us all.