Beginnings, journeys and inspirations…
Hello, I’m Annette :)
I am a multi-disciplinary artist and designer with a life-long passion for visual story-telling. Formally trained in traditional fine arts, with wide-ranging experience working in graphic & web design – the visual world is where my imagination and expression thrive. Pen & ink are constants in my ‘tool-box’, though I love exploring a wide variety of art forms and mediums (drawing, painting, screen-printing, print-making, photography, ceramics, design…) in my creative work.
This site began as a launch pad for Nine Lives Tarot, the illustrated tarot deck I self-published back in 2013. Today, the website is home to an eclectic collection of my illustration/artworks, all created to be used and enjoyed (tarot & playing cards, art bookmarks, jewellery and more).
As the site-elves bring forth their delicious selection of virtual snacks and drinks, you will find a little introduction to my art journey below. Please sit back, relax and have a most enjoyable visit!
Art Journey
Following years of formal art training and graduating from the National Art School (Sydney), I spent over a decade teaching art (mostly drawing and ceramics) and producing work in my studio. At some point, a random door opened, where I discovered a passion for digital painting and design (graphic & web). Today, my work in visual story-telling and design is shaped by both traditional and contemporary art forms. Driven by inspiration, imagination, curiosity and a desire to learn, I am devoted to the artistic process itself – and don’t use generative tools (AI) in my work.
Drawing in pen & ink gives me freedom to explore ideas and creative expression, whereas digital painting allows me to use precision and flexibility to expand colour and detail, while preserving the original artwork.
Illustrated Cards
Tarot and playing cards inspire and fascinate me. Collections of pocket-sized illustrations that incorporate rich symbolism and endless stories, which encourage people to connect and share time together.
View card collections below:
Nine Lives TarotNine Lives Playing CardsVIZAĜO Playing Cards
Art Bookmarks
I love being captivated by a good story! Reading can be such an adventure, along with the allure of escaping to a different world for a while (especially fantasy).
Inspired by my love of reading, this collection of bookmarks feature my original artworks, printed and carefully mounted on sturdy card to last through many reading adventures.
View Bookmark Collection
Jewellery
Protective symbolism, mythology and imagination inspire the jewellery I make.
Jewellery can be worn for lots of reasons and different occasions – and one of the reasons I enjoy handcrafting these miniature colourful and wearable art pieces, is that they are yet to be filled with the intentions, interpretations and wishes of the wearer.
Browse Jewellery Collection
Portfolio
My design portfolio lives on Abolina Art, where you can also view exhibition work and semi-regular updates about current projects:
Visit Abolina ArtDiscover more…
Use the ‘Discover’ tab in the top menu to read more about cards, their meanings, the journey of creating a deck of cards and more…
News Articles
The news section includes inspirations and semi-regular updates. I’m not a ‘regular’ poster, though I love connecting with visitors, whose support and feedback over the years has been truly heart-warming ♥.
