Paula Mills

Melbourne-based artist & illustrator Paula Mills is one of the creative minds behind the label Sweet William ~ a creative collaboration between Paula and her sister who lives in New Zealand.

Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Paula studied commercial art and graphics and enjoyed a career as an art director and graphic designer both in South Africa and London. "Once my babies came along and after tragically losing my mother, I found my self turning back to my love of drawing and embarked on a new career as an illustrator. My sister, and I often collaborated on craft projects and so we joined forces and started a creative business called Sweet William - named after our childhood pet."

Paula calls herself a "magpie who collects everything" ~ inspired by fine line black pens, tea, laughter, motherhood, markets, magazines, blogs, film, music, art, design, nature, colour, pattern and more.

Sweet William's whimsical illustrations always start with a fine line pen or pencil, to which collage, paint and texture are added. Paula also draws inspiration from the past, especially paper ephemera, old children’s books and all things vintage ~ "I love something that has had a bit of a journey. I draw a lot on nostalgia and childhood memories. I like my work to evoke some feeling of comfort."

www.lovelysweetwilliam.blogspot.com