Meet Gabby Correia, an advocate for subtle emotional expression

Gabby Correia is a South African illustrator known for her bright, playful, and expressive artwork inspired by emotions and the magic of childhood. Growing up with social anxiety and selective mutism, Gabby used art as a way to express herself; an experience that now fuels her focus on stories about emotional wellbeing, anxiety, and self-worth. In 2023, she received the Readers' Favorite Illustration Award. When she's not illustrating, Gabby enjoys beach walks, time with her one-year-old, and sharing home-roasted coffee with her husband.

Let’s find out more about Gabby—where she finds her inspiration, how her process works, and more:

What would you say is your best piece of work or collaboration to date, and why?

One of my favourite pieces is an illustration I created for the Our Planet Week challenge, based on the prompt “Touch the Ground”. It shows a little girl lying barefoot in tall grass, completely at peace in nature. I wanted to capture that quiet, grounding feeling of being fully present in a moment. It’s a simple scene, but it holds a lot of emotion for me.

Where do you like to go to be inspired, or how do you find your inspiration?

Nature is a big source of inspiration for me, especially the South African beaches and forests. Long mindful walks and time spent around children often spark ideas. But inspiration also comes from observing small everyday moments, emotions, and childhood memories.

Is there anything you'd be a good advocate for? 

I'm passionate about gentle storytelling and representing children with invisible struggles. Growing up with selective mutism, I know how vital it is for kids to see themselves in stories. I aim to create inclusive, comforting books that honor quiet forms of bravery and emotional expression.

What would you say sets you apart from other illustrators? Something you feel is unique to you.

My work is driven by empathy and emotion, with characters that express vulnerability and rich inner worlds. My lived experience adds authenticity to stories about shyness, belonging, and self-acceptance.

What is something that clients come back to you for?

Clients often return for my ability to create heartfelt, expressive characters and warm, playful colour palettes. I’ve also been told that I have a knack for visualising emotions in a gentle, child-friendly way; particularly for books that tackle deep or sensitive topics.

How would you describe your style?

I’d describe my style as bright, gentle, and emotionally expressive. It’s playful but thoughtful. While it leans toward the whimsical, it’s always rooted in human connection and storytelling that feels real and comforting.

Please give a scenario of a dream project that would mean the world to you — something personally meaningful.

It would mean the world to me to illustrate a story about a child who finds creative ways to communicate when words feel too hard. Something quiet and magical, where imagination is their language. It would speak directly to my own childhood experience and feel like a full-circle moment.

Finally, if you were to illustrate a book related to a real life person, who would that be?

I would love to illustrate a book about Greta Thunberg. She’s a powerful example of how someone quiet and sensitive can still make a massive impact. Her courage, especially as a young girl who uses her voice to stand up for the planet, really resonates with me. I relate to the idea of feeling small in a loud world, but still choosing to speak up in your own way.

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.