Coming Soon, My Online Exhibition of My Masters Research and Work.

Save the date everyone, 15th May 2026. As I will be showcasing my Master’s Body of work and research.

An illustration depicting an author enthusiastically presenting her research paper titled "Can Illustrators Deepen the Connection Between Their Work and an Audience's Lived Experience?" alongside her project book "Girl in the Gaps," forming a loop of creative exploration and professional goals.

This exhibition will be hosted on this blog and a celebration of my time studying with Falmouth University (Online) and achieving a distinction at the end of this phase of my studying journey. It has been a few months since I received my results, flown by in a blink of an eye and now everything is finally starting to feel real. Graduation is booked, the gown has been ordered, and we have even booked a lovely little dog-friendly place in Cornwall for a few days in July for the celebrations with my little family.  Which is perfect for the newest member of our family, our dog called Anya. 

A shiny bone-shaped dog tag engraved with the name "Anya" sits amidst colorful textures, ready for a new furry friend.

Yes, so much has changed in such a short space of time, as the seasons changed from winter to spring and we are already heading toward the summer months. In all honesty, each of these changes probably deserves their own blog post. The biggest change of all came six weeks ago, when we welcomed a rescue dog into our family. As I write this, she’s curled up at my feet. 

A dog enjoys a peaceful walk in their new home, gazing across a sunlit field under a clear blue sky.

She’s brought a few sleepless nights with her, and we’ve completely rearranged parts of our home to help her feel safe and comfortable settling in. But our house now feels fuller than ever, filled with love, laughter, and a family who are completely obsessed with their dog. Back on topic, although it is very easy for me to start rambling about my dog these days. I never thought I would be one of the people that would not stop talking about their dog, but here we are. Anya has definitely become a new exciting muse in my life and work. I am putting together an Online Exhibition to showcase my work and share that alongside my research more openly with the work. It feels like the beginning not the end of exploring my research, I am truly excited that this may mean for the future. 

My research has focused on lived experiences and how illustration practice can move beyond the current social model approach, which can sometimes feel more like a tick-box exercise than meaningful inclusion. I wanted to explore how illustration can become more thoughtful, authentic, and genuinely informed by the voices and experiences of disabled people. Of course, there are still barriers when it comes to deciding what happens next. I’m at a stage in life where home is rooted around my children, my husband’s job, and the life we’ve built together. Alongside that, I’m also trying to grow a career as an illustrator, while navigating the very real question of funding and how future research could realistically happen.

At times, continuing this research doesn’t always seem practical. There’s no obvious direct benefit for me personally anymore, at least not in the traditional sense. But this work feels bigger than personal enrichment. There’s a drive behind it, there something deep within me that keeps saying, you need to keep going with this.

A joyful illustration depicting a character embracing their unique voice, with vibrant confetti and a magical book symbolizing self-expression and celebration.

Completing both my BA and MA has also been an incredibly healing experience. So many of the wrongs my inner child carried for years have finally softened and settled. I no longer feel like I’m carrying the same weight, whether that’s because I’ve let go of certain pain or because some of the sources of it have finally been understood and resolved. - this is another blog post for another day. So why? that is the question…

No disabled person should ever feel that their journey or their work exists to be used as motivation, a life lesson, or something they owe to others. Part of what drives me comes from a deep-rooted frustration that so many things connected to my deafness were decided for me, rather than with me. I genuinely believe both illustration and higher education can become far more inclusive through listening, collaboration, and learning from each other.

Years ago, I described myself as “the girl in the gaps.” It was the only way I knew how to explain growing up between two worlds. On one side there was my everyday life, which included family, school, work and on the other was the world I was expected to belong to: the Deaf community.

A vibrant illustration mapping out the mind, filled with thoughts on daydreams, healing, inner child, creativity, and more.

For most of my life, that middle ground felt like a curse because I never fully felt I belonged anywhere. But now I see it differently. It’s given me a unique viewpoint, one that naturally tries to bridge worlds rather than choose between them. And that’s how I feel about illustration too. Why should it exist as two opposing sides fighting against each other, instead of becoming something more open, connected, and inclusive, something that doesn’t leave people out? So next week’s online exhibition is not only a celebration of the hard work, growth, and learning that went into completing my Master’s degree, but also an opportunity to open the door to my research and see whether it can take root within future illustration practice.

More than anything, I hope it starts conversations about inclusion, lived experience, and how illustration can continue to grow into a space where more voices are genuinely seen, heard, and valued.

Illustration of a character demonstrating the British Sign Language (BSL) for the name "Emma," with colorful frames and letters corresponding to each sign.