My name is Melanie Whelan. I have just completed an MA in Illustration at Falmouth University in Cornwall. My work explores the natural world, more specifically the relationship between Humans and the natural Landscapes that surround us.

How we treat and manage the remaining natural spaces left in the UK and Ireland, is under great change at present. It is essential that we as a species can connect with the natural world, and I believe Illustrators and Artists can help us do that.

My work explores the emotional connection that being in a natural space can elicit. What interests me is how a place makes us feel, and what happens when we leave the concrete safety of the built world.

I have a particular love of mountains and that theme runs throughout my work. I have just completed a picture book about a lonely Mountain called ‘The Mountain that moved’.

Education

I have just completed an MA in Illustration at Falmouth University in Cornwall. During this time I created a series of Illustrations for the Falmouth Art Gallery, and also received an FSA Award for Outstanding Curation.

I originally studied Visual Communications at IADT, Dublin. I have worked in a variety of creative industries from Magazine Publishing to designing for TV and Film.