Hi, I'm Simona!

I'm a freelance illustrator and an excellent visual communicator, able to condense feelings and emotions into just a few lines.

Based in London, I mainly work in Editorial, Publishing, and illustration for the web. I have worked for several publishers and clients worldwide but I also love to work on my own projects and collaborate with other illustrators and writers.

I cannot wait to hear your ideas and turn them into a big project!

All About Me

Being originally from Puglia, the Heel of Italy, I’m in love with the sun and the sea, which I really miss sometimes, and I recall their beauty in my illustrations with an energetic use of yellow and turquoise.
Working with both digital and classic watercolour techniques, I like to combine the two and develop a unique and bold style.

I like to illustrate characters who are daydreaming, enjoying the moment, feeling good about themselves, and I love to transform these good feelings into illustrations and communicate them to those who look at my work.
I particularly love to illustrate everything connected to women's empowerment, gender equality, and diversity.

When I’m not working you can find me in one of the many jazz venues around London, with my sketchbook and my dancing shoes. In fact, my passion for old jazz and swing dance gives a touch of vintage flavour to my colour palette and style.

Teaching illustration

is one of my favourite things! So I started teaching illustration on the global e-learning platform Skillshare with my debut class ‘How to transform emotion into illustration’, receiving a great response and really positive feedback on my teaching technique.

I'm also a proud member of @thewomenwhodraw, @cluster__illustration and @theaoi,
all of which promote diversity, equality and community.

Education

2018, MA Communication Design: Illustration
@ Kingston University, London
2016, Graphic Design CPD
@London College of Contemporary Art, London
2014, 1st BA (Comics & Illustration)
@Academy of Fine Art of Bologna, Italy

Exhibitions

A Letter in Mind, The National Brain Appeal,
@Oxo Tower, London, 2020
Collate art, collective exhibition,
@Hong Kong, 2019
Cluster Illustration Fair,
@Ugly Duck, London 2019
Kingston School of Art MA Graduate Show,
@Gallery Different, London 2018
Sketchmusic, Solo Exhibition, Fundraising for Children with Cancer UK,
@The Gallery Café, London, 2017

Exhibitions

-Bristol Shag Fiesta Exhibition,
@Hamilton House, Bristol, 2017
Scarpetta D'oro Illustration contest,
@Venice, Italy, 2016

Art Lover Ground, Live Art Performance, @Cafe 1001, London, 2015

"U Re bafè", ILLUSTRAMENTE
@Illustration Festival, Palermo, Italy, 2012

Mani in viaggio, Collective group show,
@Bologna, 2012

Illustration is powerful

and I like to use my illustrations to raise awareness on causes I care about and to help my community.

With these ideals, I’m a co-founder together with Silvia Pellegrino of Tits'n'Tales — an online-publishing platform that combines creative writing and illustrations; On Tits'n'Tales we tell raw stories based on taboo-breaking, meaningful topics that we care about.