This month, we caught up with the talented Glasgow-based visual storyteller and creative force behind Sophy Louise Illustration. 

Sophy’s work is a vibrant celebration of people’s unique stories and folklore, with a special focus on Scottish heritage. Through her illustrations, she aims to inspire others to embrace and take pride in their own roots. 

Ready to hear more? Let’s get started!  

Hey Sophy, tell us your story. How did you get into illustration? 

I’d been studying contemporary art at college and was lucky enough to be accepted into an illustration course. This was the first option that got back to me, so it was quite literally luck that set me on this path! 

What motivated you to start your own business?  

I had a lot of free time at university when we had to work from home and decided to use it to develop my digital illustration skills. From there, I bought a printer, and then things spiralled. I really wanted to illustrate for myself and produce work I enjoyed, so Sophy Louise Illustration became my space to create freely.

Can you describe your brand in three words?

Colourful, humorous, Scottish. 

How do you think your pieces can inspire people and make a difference?  

I’ve always been really interested in folklore and storytelling and tried to use my work to share parts of Scottish culture that I find most interesting, from the past or present. I would love for my work to inspire people to have pride in their roots and to celebrate each other’s stories.

What (or who) inspires you?

So many people and places. I love to travel and find that a lot of my best ideas come to me when I’m exploring. The people who pass through my shop at the Barras Market in Glasgow are also such an inspiration. From locals who have been coming to the market for 50+ years to students exploring the area, they always have something interesting to share with me! 

What piece or collaboration are you most proud of?     

I recently did some illustration work for a contemporary Scottish trad artist, and absolutely loved working on those designs for him. The final outcomes really feel like a true collaboration, and it was interesting to develop illustrations inspired by an audio source versus visuals.

What – in your opinion – is the future of illustration?     

I feel like illustration is being valued more than ever. People want to celebrate personality and individualism in the things they buy, which means there’s so much space for independent illustrators to create their own products and share their voice. Bigger companies also seem way keener to collaborate with illustrators too, which is so lovely to see! 

What advice would you give yourself back when you started?   

It still applies now to be honest: stop thinking about the final product, and instead enjoy the process. Being a designer, I’m terrible for trying to rush to the end of a job, but your work is always better when you give yourself time to be creative.

How does sustainability play a part in your work?

I’m conscious of making sure everything I sell is produced in the UK and never in excessive quantities that won’t sell. I’m also very big on minimising packaging, so most of my work comes without any plastic. I work mainly digitally, so my wastage in the studio is minor. I’m looking forward to experimenting with upcycling some apparel with my designs in the next year or so, but that’s still in the works for now!

And lastly, what does it mean for you to Live Naked?

I’d say it means to create without boundaries, to fully express yourself. Because when you find your voice, that's when you'll truly be happy in the creative practice you've built for yourself.

Cheers Sophy!

You can find out more about Sophy here and don't forget to follow us on Instagram to catch our next edition of 2 Minutes with Someone Naked ✌️