Conor Devlin-Powell on strange creatures, the dream world and finding beauty in darker corners.

I'd describe myself as a mixed-media artist creating strange creatures from my imagination using pen, digital art (never AI… eww) and, occasionally, film and animation.

My work lives somewhere between the fantastical and the unsettling, filled with creatures from other realms, faces from nightmares and a healthy dose of supernatural absurdity.

From nursery onwards I was drawing constantly — sometimes all day, sometimes all night. As I got older, I realised how much fulfilment it gave me creatively, mentally and spiritually. It became a way to process my imagination and emotions.

When I shared my work with other people, I felt they got to know me in a completely different light. I could communicate things through images that I never could through words alone.

I'm heavily inspired by gothic literature, neurodiversity, the dream world, Soviet animation and surrealism. I suppose I'm drawn to things that are a little dark but still carry a sense of whimsy.

My ideas come from another realm or galaxy… no, haha. Usually they begin with free drawing or an image that suddenly appears in my mind. From there, I explore why that image arrived and where it wants to take me.

I do a lot of free drawing, which lets my brain run wherever it wants. I often feel something internal comes out when there's no expectation of perfection. That's when the rawest images appear.

If I discover something that resonates, I'll keep developing it until it feels complete.

I do tend to draw big eyes, which is interesting because, as a child, I found it very difficult to look people in the eye. Looking back, I don't think that's a coincidence.

If I told you, I'd have to get you!

I've been exploring the dream world, my youth as a neurodivergent child navigating this crazy world, and the subconscious. In other words, expect even more wonderfully trippy work coming down the pipeline.

I love the idea that, in this super-disposable world of clothing and fast fashion, a T-shirt can become something as meaningful as a piece of art — something to treasure instead of throw away.

I suppose I'll have to wait and find out! But I'm incredibly excited, and I really hope I spot someone in Sainsbury's rocking my art one day. Haha!

I'd love people to spend time with the bizarre characters and perhaps find something of themselves in them. I hope they enjoy both the melancholy and the humour these strange little nutjobs carry.

I've always found beauty in the darker corners of life, and I hope other people can discover that too.

I hope they create many stories while living with it and perhaps discover a little more compassion for the stranger parts of themselves.

After a long hiatus, I've got two short films coming up. One is a spooky comedy horror about ghoul-busting teenagers in Battersea, while the other is a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age comedy. I probably shouldn't say too much about that one just yet, but there are definitely a few chuckles in it.

There are also some fine art projects in the works… although they're tippity toppity secret for now.