Isabelle is a Belgian artist based in Portugal, inspired by the quiet rhythm of everyday life and the sunlit charm of her surroundings. Working with oil pastels and acrylics on paper, she creates playful yet calming pieces where colour, texture, and memory intertwine. The ocean’s hues, local architecture, and simple daily details often seep into her work, shaping a soft and distinctive visual language. Her process is intuitive, starting with fragments of ideas gathered from photographs, nature walks, and objects found in local thrift markets. Deeply fascinated by colour, she experiments with unexpected combinations to evoke mood and atmosphere.

Hi Isabelle, how are you today? What have you been up to lately?

Hi, thanks for having me! I’m doing well. As the year winds down, I’ve been spending more time on personal drawings. I like slowing down a little before the rush of new projects arrives, it feels like a gentle reset.

You're based in Portugal - what does your space or studio look like these days? Could you share a real-time snapshot of it?

I work from a dedicated room at home, which connects to our living area. My desk with my iMac, a big window and I have two cabinets — one for books and bits I collect, another for art supplies and stored artwork. The space still feels very calm and organized, it’s become a very comforting place to create.

You left your full-time job to illustrate full-time. How did that transition feel in the beginning? Was there a specific moment when everything “clicked”?

I actually worked full-time for only nine months. It was my first job after graduating, and I took it when I moved to Germany to live with my boyfriend. I was illustrating on the side, and slowly more freelance opportunities came in. Once I was offered the chance to illustrate four informative books, it felt like a solid foundation, that’s when I knew I could fully commit to illustrating.

If you could freeze and frame one moment of your life, which moment would it be? And why?

If I could freeze one moment, it would be the afternoons I spent with my grandmother. I’d sit in her kitchen while she made healthy meals and fresh orange juice for me — it was her way of taking care of me. We’d talk, laugh, and just enjoy being together. She was funny and stylish, and full of stories, and those simple moments are a memory I’d keep forever.

What’s something you once saw as a mistake in your creative journey, but now feel grateful for?

When inspiration didn’t come, I used to panic and worry that something was “wrong.” Now I know it’s completely normal and actually helpful to take breaks from constant creation. Resting gives me the clarity I need to enjoy creating again

Born in Belgium, lived in Germany and now Portugual… Where do you feel the strongest sense of belonging?

Definitely in Portugal. I love the climate, the slower rhythm, and living close to the sea.

As a creative, turning what you love into your profession can be tricky. How do you navigate work-life balance? Or do you?

It’s not always easy. I naturally feel a pull to be productive, to always be making or doing something. Working from home adds to that as there’s always something I could be doing. But I’m learning to consciously time off and let go of that constant urge. It makes the work better, too.

Could you tell me a bit about your book projects? What was the experience like from your perspective?

This past summer, I set myself the project of creating a book of my work. As someone who loves printed materials, seeing my drawings and photos in book form was really special.At first, it was just a personal project. Flipping through the pages felt like an overview of where my inspiration comes from — the places I’ve visited, objects that caught my eye, and colors that stayed with me. The response has been wonderful, and it’s exciting to see that people connected with it. Overall, the process was personal and creatively fulfilling, and it inspired me to think about future book projects and new ways to share my work.

Your life feels calm, almost cinematic, with its own unique color palette. Is this something you consciously cultivate, or do you trust the beauty of spontaneity to shape it?

For me, it happens spontaneously. I naturally pay attention to small details and the beauty in everyday life. Things like locals playing cards or objects with a pretty color palette. I don’t consciously try to create a calm, cinematic feeling, but I think the way I observe and appreciate those everyday moments makes my life feel that way on its own.

How is your relationship with the digital world? When searching for inspiration or simply spending time online, do you set limits for yourself?

I have a mixed relationship with the digital world. I love how accessible inspiration is online, but it’s also very easy to slip into comparing yourself to others. That’s one reason I try to set boundaries, especially in the evenings. Stepping away helps me reconnect with my own ideas instead of absorbing too much from outside. I also like to read or go for runs, which naturally pulls me offline and helps me reset.

Do you wait for inspiration to strike, or do you follow a personal ritual or rhythm when creating?

It depends. Some days I have a clear idea of what I want to create, and it just flows straight onto the paper. Other times, I feel the urge to make something but I’m not sure what yet. In those moments, I’ll browse through my inspiration sources: images, magazines, or things I’ve collected and that usually helps spark a direction. So it’s a mix of waiting for inspiration and having small rituals that help me find it when it’s not immediately there.

And to close: What’s been exciting you these days?

As we’re finishing the year, I’m wrapping up my last projects, which feels exciting in itself. Looking ahead, next year I’d like to focus on publishing my art book, finally creating a website after all these years, and starting to sell original artworks  on paper and maybe on canvas rather than just prints. I think it will be a really exciting new chapter.

Isabelle’s List

Your favorite museum, bookstore or local spot:

Gulbenkian Museum

The last book you read:

Family and Borghesia by Natalia Ginzburg

All time favorite movie:

Perfect Days by Wim Wenders

A material or tool you’ve been obsessed with lately:

Crayons and oil pastels

A recent image from your camera roll that feels “very Isabelle”:

an image made with my lomomatic 110 analog camera in town.