Ayla Blue Illustrations

Hi, my name is Ayla.

I am an artist and illustrator living and working in Durban, South Africa. From a very young age I have always expressed myself through my art, whether that be with a pencil or a paintbrush. I have experience in many mediums and including watercolour, acrylic and oil paint, digital art programs like photoshop and clip studio paint, as well as linoleum relief carving and printing.

My illustrations draw from my own childhood memories and experiences with a focus on the intimate connections of friendship, family and nature, as well as the magical and fantastic. I am inspired by fairy tales and folktales, the beauty of the natural world, animals, but most of all imagination. To translate the quiet contemplation of a daydream into a beautiful image is my favourite challenge to tackle.

I enjoy the challenge of a new project and love to bring a vision to life! I am flexible and able to adapt my style to suit each new project and creative team. I have worked with a number of clients, such as ASI Wise to create a series of educational illustrations used to train physio therapists, and have created a number of Linocut T-shirt designs for Africa Smiles.

I am thrilled to have helped create the designs in Sam’s denim range, and hope you love them too.

Sam has known me all my life, which made working together on Uqobo feel especially meaningful. I loved bringing her denim daydreams to life through my illustrations and being part of something she had imagined for so long.