About Me

I am an illustrator living in the Uig area of the Isle of Lewis, creating detailed ink illustrations and ceramics rooted in the realms of folklore, wild places, landscape and history. My interest in traditional stories was rekindled when I found myself wanting to foster a deeper connection with the land around me, although I have been captivated by myths and legends since childhood and was always reading books or drawing dragons! I am particularly interested in Scottish folklore, culture and history and the way that it relates to land and perceptions of nature, and I work with storytellers and folklorists around Scotland and Scandinavia illustrating books of folktales. I work primarily with a dip pen and ink but also have been making ceramic sculptures and pottery and experimenting with tapestry weaving and natural dyeing.  Each project is underpinned by a desire to conduct explorative and thorough research, particularly archival research and outdoor sketching which I record in artist’s books.

Book Illustration

My main focus is book illustration, both fiction and non-fiction, particularly inspired by traditional illustrators such as Arthur Rackham, Alan Lee and John Bauer. I have a keen interest in anything related to folklore and folktales, especially traditional stories from Scotland. For the last two years I have been working on an ongoing book project collecting and illustrating folk tales and folklore from the Outer Hebrides. Recently I have been working on a few Scottish folklore projects illustrating stories told by Orcadian storyteller Tom Muir and tradition bearer Duncan Williamson.

Other book illustration projects include book covers for folktale anthologies published by the History Press, illustrations for short stories by Edgar Allen Poe and HP Lovecraft published by Helios House Press, an unannounced project for Penguin Random House, illustrations for a BBC ALBA documentary covering Bram Stoker’s Dracula as well as illustrations for zines.

Other Work

My other avenue of commercial work is poster design and merchandise for events, musicians and festivals. Clients include Beltane Fire Festival, the Scottish Storytelling Centre and Young Edinburgh Storytellers. I have also illustrated for activist groups The Stars Are for Everyone and Right to Roam to protest land access rights.

If you would like to discuss a commission, please email me at hesterasplandillustration@gmail.com
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