Selina Fenech

Selina Fenech, illustrator of Fairy Art, Mermaids and Enchanted

Help our followers get to know you. What does a typical day in the life of  Selina Fenech  involve? 
Once my little one is off to daycare (my three work days a week), I normally start my day with the business side of things. I pack up any online orders from my webstores to ship, and catch up on emails, contracts, and messages from fans. That often gets me through to lunch and then after lunch is project/creative time! I almost always have some project or another on the go, like creating my colouring books. So I either work on my current project, or do some more freeform creative work, like a new painting, doll design, or even some writing.  

When did you first become interested in illustrating?  
I can remember being about seven years old and sticky-taping a collection of my drawings (pencil sketches on the back of re-used office paper!) to a big cardboard sheet and putting prices on them all, and trying to sell them to anyone in the house for about 20c each. I have been an artist and an entrepreneur for as long as I can remember!  

What are your favourite things to draw? 
Anything fantasy themed! Fairies, mermaids, dragons, unicorns- anything with a sense of magic that stirs the heart and imagination.   

Where do you find inspiration? 
All over the place, and often strange places. I’ve even been inspired by an ugly curtain fabric once (I could see goblin faces all over it!). Some small thing can spark a much bigger idea.  

If you weren't an illustrator what would you be? 
Maybe a chef or cook or food blogger. I just love food, besides gardening it’s my biggest passion after art. Or a full time author. I’m already part author now, but if I weren’t illustrating maybe I would do that full time. So many possibilities in this life!  

Why do you think adult colouring books have become so huge? 
Because it’s fun! It’s one of the things kids love to do best and doesn’t stop being fun, so why do we have to stop colouring when we “grow up”? Answer: We don’t have to!  

What does your working environment look like? 
I have three different “work zones”. I have an outdoor studio which is my print and packing and mini warehouse room where I create my artwork merchandise and pack orders from my webstores. Inside my home I also have my computer desk, which is a standing desk with my Wacom 24HD drawing screen for digital art, and I also have my art table with all my traditional mediums for drawing and painting. My property, although being a standard suburban block, is very green and leafy and I can sometimes feel I’m off in a secluded forest while I work.  

Do you listen to music when you work? If so, who/what? 
I’m an odd one. I actually prefer silence when I’m working. I need to focus, and if I put music on I end up singing along or dancing around which isn’t conducive to getting my paintings finished.  

What are your favourite things in life? 
My family, art, writing (and reading), food, travel, and gardening. 

Finally, please give 3 words that describe your work. 
Magical, meaningful, inspiring. ​

​





​You can find Selina's books over on Amazon.