Introducing Sophie Kathleen, their passion?.. LGBTQ+ empowerment, feminism, and tackling taboos.
Sophie Kathleen is an illustrator and artist currently based in Surrey, UK. Their vibrant and often political work focuses on their passion for LGBTQ+ empowerment, feminism, and tackling taboos. They have a diploma in art and design from the University of Creative Arts and believe in using art as activism.
Soph aims to build community, promote equality, and inspire others by sharing their work online, running creative workshops, art classes, and working with like minded clients. Their focuses are digital illustration, murals/window displays, and impactful social media campaigns.
Soph has worked with clients such as Lush, The UN Global Goals, Audible, The Body Shop, Stonewall, Vans, Not a Phase, Our Streets Now, and Bloody Good Period. As well as being shortlisted for Surrey Artist of the Year 2022, their work has been featured in places such as The Tate Modern, Queer Circle, and the London LGBTQ+ centre.
Here’s our kick off interview, I do hope you enjoy….
When did you start illustrating?
I’ve been drawing since i can remember but I started illustrating properly in 2020!
Who has been the most supportive in your illustration career, perhaps your teacher, family, friends?
All of my friends and my mum are incredibly supportive and have been my biggest cheerleaders since day one but i’d have to say my friend Natalie. She’s always there when i have any questions or self doubt and is so incredibly kind and helpful!
Did you always think art was something that was going to be a major part of your life?
Art is how l best express my thoughts and emotions most of the time so I always knew it would be personally important to me in my life but honestly never knew or believed I could make a whole career out of it! I feel incredibly grateful
What is your favourite subject matter to illustrate?
Nature and queerness (and the link between the two)
How would you describe your style?
Playful, affirming and expressive
What is your favourite collaboration to date?
Probably my mural for The Body Shop! it was so much fun creating a huge textiles piece for the store, it really pushed my creative limits and was so rewarding to see the end results for a great campaign!
What interested you about being represented by Illo Agency?
The ethos of diversity and wanting to champion good causes aligns with my work and ethics so much! The team are lovely and it just seemed like a great fit
Are you working on any personal projects you can share with us?
I’m currently working on an illustrated yoga asana card deck! I’m also a yoga teacher and love blending this into my work so i’m superrrrr excited to create this pack after I finished my affirmation card deck at the end of last year, I love projects full of lots of illustrations that i can really take my time with
Do you listen to podcasts? If so, do you have a favourite?
Yes I do love a podcast. Haha I’d actually have to say my favourite podcast has to be ‘my dad wrote a porno’, it literally makes me CRY with laughter and i’ve listened to all the episodes at-least twice now
If you’d like more info, please contact: [email protected]
At illo agency, we pride ourselves in representing a collation of global illustrators, distinctly diverse in creativity and uniquely celebrated by like-minded clients across a range of commercial markets.