About me
Hi I’m Isla, a 23 year old artist from the UK. I’ve always loved art and been hopeful that I could make it my career somehow, so I decided to give it a shot. I’m so grateful for you visiting the site, and well done for making it to the niche section ;)
I’m an anxious girlie, so having a business like this means so much to me, since more “normal” jobs are so scary to me. It’s been a huge learning curve, and despite how hard it’s been to make ends meet i’m so happy to be doing this.
I’m sure if you’re reading this you’re also a creative with an interest in fashion, and I would love to hear more about you! I’m always looking to collaborate with artists / photographers / anyone(!), so reach out! Even just visiting the site is really appreciated, so thank you :)
My Art
Within my art I like to experiment with lots of different mediums, but as you’ll see my favourites are definitely lino printing, screen printing and traditional painting using acrylics. On my tiktok I show how I use these methods, check out @read.isla if you’re interested. I make process videos, but my most popular videos are for sure my tutorials and DIY’s on how to screen print and how to lino print.
My current focus is upcycling, using second hand clothes to create new unique pieces. I hate how wasteful the fashion industry is, and want my business to focus more on avoiding waste and being sustainable in it’s practices! I’m definitely not perfect at this and I would love advice, so please do reach out if you have any tips!
I also do commission pieces via my email or instagram, feel free to send me a message so we can discuss your ideas :)
The biz
My business was created in 2020, and started as hand painting tees and selling them on depop for a few pennies. I was working in an ice cream shop at the time, and just wanted to make a little money as a side hussle, but I enjoyed it so much that I knew I had to try to do it full time.
Whilst working at the ice cream shop I was posting lots on tiktok showing my process, and I went viral! Of course being 19 I thought this was my big break and quit - oh Isla. I have grown so much since then and learned so much about what I want my business to be - I finally have a clear vision for my business and I’m so excited to work towards it.
Mandatory sob story
Okay since you’ve made it this far I thought I’d share how I came to be an artist and a lot of the inspiration for becoming an artist / why traditional work is a challenge.
At 11, I lost my mum to suicide and it completely changed who I am. I became very insular, and art was truly my only outlet. Discussing what happened was just impossible. At the time I was only drawing to be “good” at it, but over the years it has become like therapy to me, hence why all of my art is just sad mourning girls (aka. me) lol.
I wanted to share this in case anyone reading has gone through anything similar. It’s so unbelievably painful, and I so often felt alone, so I just wanted to say you’re not alone! It often feels like I’m a downer when I share my story and I always feel so awkward about it, so I wanted to bite the bullet and share it to make it all feel less taboo and normalise talking about mental health / suicide. It’s such a tricky topic to navigate but it’s so so important to talk about.
If you or someone you know if struggling, I’ll attach some links to help. You deserve help and you are so so loved <3
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/
^nhs, where and how to get help^
^Mind - provides therapy and support^
^24/7 mental health support via messaging^
islareadart@gmail.com
@read.isla on tiktok
@islareadart on insta
Song Recs
random section for anyone who makes it here ;)