I create art inspired by the stories I notice - and help creative business owners find the stories they already have.
I create illustrations, patterns, greeting cards and products inspired by the things I notice in everyday life. I also help creative business owners uncover the stories hiding in their own experiences, so they have something real and personal to share.
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Illustrations
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Patterns
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Books & Paper Goods
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Storytelling for Creative Businesses
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Drawn & Designed in Queensland
🌸 Illustrations 🌸 Patterns 🌸 Books & Paper Goods 🌸 Storytelling for Creative Businesses 🌸 Drawn & Designed in Queensland
Stories from the Dotty Side
A Friday email about the stories, ideas and bits of everyday life I’ve noticed along the way.
I share what I’ve been drawing, making and learning, along with stories from my Pretty Way Walks and the moments that have made me stop, think or laugh during the week.
If you’re building a creative business, making more room for your own ideas or simply enjoy seeing where everyday stories can lead, you’ll feel at home on the Dotty Side.
Join the Dotty Side
There’s usually a cup of peppermint and spearmint tea beside me, Scruff asleep on his cushion (well, the whole sofa) and several ideas competing for my attention.
Most of my work begins with something I’ve noticed: an animal with plenty of personality, a place I want to remember or one of those ordinary moments that turns out to have a story hiding inside it.
From there, it might become an illustration, a pattern, a book or something lovely to use, display or give to somebody else.
From my Studio
You already have the stories. You might need help spotting them.
The Dot Catcher is for creative business owners who want to share more personal, story-led content but keep thinking, “Nothing interesting happened this week.”
You send me voice notes about what you’ve been doing, thinking and noticing. I listen for the moments you might have dismissed, pull out the stories and show you how they could connect naturally to your work.
You’ll come away with a bank of real stories and content ideas that sound like you—because they came from your life in the first place.
The Dotty Blog
Stories, art and the things I notice along the way
This is where my Pretty Way Walks, everyday stories, creative-business thoughts and behind-the-scenes peeks at what I’m making find a home.
Sometimes I’ll share something I’ve learned. Other times it might be an idea I’m working through, the story behind a piece of art or something that made me laugh while I was out walking Scruff.
New posts throughout the week, with a round-up in my Friday newsletter.
Meet Jo
Artist, illustrator, surface pattern designer, professional Dot Catcher and proud outer child.
I’m Jo, originally from Nottingham and now living on the Gold Coast in Queensland.
I’ve always been someone who notices the little things: the funny moment on a walk, the personality of an animal or the story tucked inside something that would be easy to dismiss as ordinary.
Those moments often find their way into my illustrations, patterns and products. They’re also why I’m good at helping creative business owners spot the stories in their own lives - especially the ones they’re convinced aren’t interesting enough to share.
When I’m not drawing or catching somebody else’s dots, you’ll probably find me walking with Scruff, taking photographs of things I might draw later or heading home by the prettiest route.
More about me
Do you need help?
If you can’t find something, drop me an email or shoot me a DM - I’ll point you in the right direction.
Mabel assumes everybody will be delighted to see her. What could her wholehearted confidence teach us about sharing our work and talking about what we sell?