Who is Ayla Marika?
I’m Ayla Marika, a visual artist, illustrator and creative designer based in the Southern Tablelands NSW Australia, near Canberra and Goulburn.
My specialty is hand-drawn illustration using ink and charcoal, as well as painting with acrylics. The illustration I produce is hand-drawn using traditional mediums (eg ink pen on paper), which is then often subjected to various degrees of digital manipulation. I appreciate classical drawing technique including landscape, still life and portraiture, and I consider good craftsmanship and technique essential to my art production and illustration. I am excited by the artistic possibilities of books, marketing and public relations and tie these into my art practice. To view some of my artwork, check out My Portfolio.
My Artistic Style
My signature style is black-ink psychedelic surrealism that feels simultaneously both strange and familiar. In saying that, I don’t like to be pigeonholed and consider myself quite fluid, going with the flow to wherever I feel guided. While my art practice drifts around, my inspiration always remains stable, however. I am endlessly inspired by music (psychedelic electronic, rock, metal), surrealism, impressionism, graphic novels, cartoons, psychedelia, and pre-modern imagery.
Influencing Artists
Visual artists I am influenced by include the classic Old Masters (esp. Van Gogh, Monet, Cezanne), M.C. Escher, Hokusai, Chris Ware, Alex Grey, Robert Crumb, Dr. Seuss, Hayao Miyazaki, and Akseli Gallen-Kallela. I am drawn to psychedelic, optical and outsider art, Scandinavian design and folk art, and excellent music album art. In addition to the visual arts, music is major source of inspiration and conceptual fodder for me, in particular Radiohead, Björk, Sigur Rós, Tool, Massive Attack, and Nine Inch Nails.
Topics of Interest
Topics I enjoy exploring through my art are the subconscious mind and collective unconscious, sacred plant medicine, esoteric spirituality, and the natural environment. I am a certified Reiki Master and Ashati Master energy worker and call these healing energies to work through my artistic creations. I am often trying to make sense of the larger issues and craziness shaping our world, from conspiracies to industrial systems to world politics. As protest against the over-digitalisation and disposable habits of modern life, I have recently started to explore the world of traditional upholstery craftsmanship and sustainable furnishings as art practice.
My Design Services
In addition to visual art, I am an experienced graphic designer and WordPress website developer, which I carry out through my business Forssa Light Publishing. For more information on these services, visit the Services page.
Qualifications & Experience
| Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) Major: Painting | Curtin University of Technology curtin.edu.au 2017 |
| Advanced Diploma of Public Relations | Canberra Institute of Technology cit.edu.au 2014 |
| Diploma of Music Industry Business, Technical Production | Canberra Institute of Technology cit.edu.au 2008 |
| Certificate IV in Screen and Media | Canberra Institute of Technology cit.edu.au 2014 |
| Certificate IV in Business Administration | Canberra Institute of Technology cit.edu.au 2012 |
| Certificate IV in Training and Assessment | Canberra Institute of Technology cit.edu.au 2009 |
| SEO, UX and WordPress Website Developer Certification | eBusiness Institute Australia ebusinessinstitute.com.au 2021 |
| Marketing Account Manager & Marketing Coordinator | Canberra Institute of Technology cit.edu.au 2015-2016 |
| Administration Officer CIT Graphics, Entertainment, Media and Music | Canberra Institute of Technology cit.edu.au 2008-Current |
| Graphic Designer | Canberra Comedy Festival canberracomedyfestival.com.au 2014-Current |
Exhibitions and Achievements
- Book Release (2020): How Food is Made: An Illustrated Guide to How Everyday Food is Produced.
- Finalist – Canberra Short Film Festival (2020): Music Video for ‘SFL’ by Modulii.
- BMA Magazine Review (2020): Review of Music Video for ‘SFL’ by Modulii.
- Burning Man Australia Installation (2010): Mythinterpret Triptych group project.
Artist Interview
To see and hear me speak about my art and design practice in my home studio, check out this Southern Tablelands Arts ‘Stories from the Studio’ interview (2023):