BN: We shot Errands together at Prahran Market over the Lunar New Year period. What does this time of year usually look and feel like for you?

Every year feels a little different, but this Lunar New Year in particular marked a big period of change for me, both personally and professionally. Closing out the Year of the Snake and moving into the Year of the Horse felt really symbolic - shedding a skin and stepping forward with momentum.

It’s my second year working in art and content creation full-time, and things have never felt busier or more energising. Projects like this campaign are the exact kind of work I used to dream about when I was just starting out. I’m heading into the new year feeling incredibly grateful, clear-headed, and ready for what’s next.

BN Are there traditions, meals, or family moments you always find yourself returning to — the ones that really signal the new year has begun?

My family usually has a big Vietnamese/Chinese feast at my grandma’s house - think crispy pork, rice paper rolls, lots of fresh herbs, noodle dishes, spring rolls, prawns (aka my food heaven).

Something we did differently this year was a family meditation / sound bath experience at home led by an incredible instructor (with my three sisters and parents).

It was such a grounding way to reflect on the past and come into the new year together - I’m hoping it will become a tradition.

As one year closes and another begins, is there anything — creatively or personally — you feel ready to leave behind or approach differently?

This year I want to be more intentional about making space for my own art. One of my goals is to step away for an overseas artist residency for one to three months, just to fully immerse myself in personal work. I feel incredibly grateful to have spent the past two years creating art for some of my dream brands, and now it feels like the right time to narrow my focus.

This is the year of putting the blinkers on - committing to projects, both personal and collaborative, that genuinely excite me. I also want to experiment more freely with my style and let go of worrying about how my work is perceived. Some of my favourite pieces - and even the way I dress -  have come from trusting my instincts and letting my personal style lead, without any outside input.

BN Are there traditions, meals, or family moments you always find yourself returning to — the ones that really signal the new year has begun?

My family usually has a big Vietnamese/Chinese feast at my grandma’s house - think crispy pork, rice paper rolls, lots of fresh herbs, noodle dishes, spring rolls, prawns (aka my food heaven).

Something we did differently this year was a family meditation / sound bath experience at home led by an incredible instructor (with my three sisters and parents).

It was such a grounding way to reflect on the past and come into the new year together - I’m hoping it will become a tradition.

BN: Your illustration work often balances softness and structure of nature. Where do ideas usually begin for you — observation, environment, sketching, mood, or sometimes somewhere completely unexpected?

Ideas often begin for me in the garden. My mum is an incredible gardener and grows the most beautiful flowers - dahlias, roses, cosmos, to name a few. Simply stepping outside at home is often enough to reset my mind and spark inspiration, something I feel really grateful for.

Beyond that, a lot of my ideas come from everyday experiences through modelling and content creation - meeting talented, inspiring creatives, having conversations, visiting new places, and trying new things. I’m constantly absorbing little details from the people and environments around me. Recently, I took an embroidery class for the first time, and it opened up a whole new world of techniques and visual language that I’m excited to start weaving into my illustration work.

Are there colours, textures, or visual references you’ve found yourself naturally drawn to lately — or that tend to shift with the seasons?

For some reason I’m feeling very drawn to turquoise at the moment - it’s such a refreshing and crisp shade for Summer, and I’ve been weaving it into my outfits left right and centre. I’m also loving hot pink (tbh pink has always been my all time fav colour), it’s just so sassy and versatile.

BN: In a world of algorithms and AI-slop - what are the rituals and tools you lean use to stay connected to your own style, taste and identity as an artist and creator? 

Time in nature, whether that’s camping with friends, swimming at the beach, or just going for a quiet morning walk, plays a big role in keeping me creatively grounded.

I think the most meaningful and distinctive work comes from me tuning inward - listening to my body and intuition. I journal every night as a way to reflect on the day, write down anything that’s inspiring me and anything I want to work on, and I make a conscious effort to be offline as much as possible. These small, consistent rituals help me stay connected to my own style, taste, and sense of self as an artist.

BN: How much does everyday movement — cafés, travel, or simply passing through the city — shape the way you create?

Everyday movement plays a huge role in how I create. Being on the train, sitting at a café, or just moving through the city naturally feeds into the way I draw. I carry a small A5 sketchbook in my handbag, and the work I make in it tends to mirror wherever I am in my surroundings, my pace and my mood.

When I’m drawing out in the world, I’m often approached by people who also love art, and those small, spontaneous interactions are such a source of connection and inspiration. I love the freedom of being able to draw anywhere, knowing I’ll never really be bored because I can always pick up my pencils. At home, my process shifts - the drawings become larger and more detailed, shaped by having more time, space, and stillness.

You move between illustration, modelling and content creation. Do those different creative roles influence how you see or approach your work?

These three areas are so interconnected and have truly shaped how I approach my work. My love of illustration started with drawing faces, particularly inspired by the work of makeup artists that I would work with on set as a model.

I also worked full time as a graphic designer, producer and content creator for an agency in Melbourne for a few years. This really taught me how to film and edit like a pro, bring a unique creative flair, and work with a client. My modelling experience really fed into this role as well - knowing when I was needed on set, how to make the model comfortable, where to source props, location scouting etc etc. 

When I’m drawing, I am always thinking about the content around the artwork too. Storytelling is so important. Where am I drawing and why? How am I feeling on the day? How does this impact the artwork? What materials am I using? Considering all these aspects helps me share my art to the world in a unique and unselfish way. 

What have been some of the most rewarding moments of building a career across multiple disciplines?

A pinch me moment was designing a clothing collection with Cotton On last year- seeing my artwork on clothes and being worn out about in Melbourne (and Australia, NZ and South East Asia) felt truly unreal - it was a culmination of all three disciplines coming together - primarily art but also content creation and modelling, that brought the campaign to life.

Apart from this, some of the most rewarding moments really are the small ones - the feeling of knowing that I have built a life around my passion is very fulfilling, and I feel so grateful for my community and the brands that have supported me to get to this point. It’s the messages from people saying that I’ve inspired them to start their own art/content journey. My favourite brands hitting up my inbox. Meeting creators that I’ve loved and followed for years. Doing interviews like this. I just feel so incredibly lucky. 

Our campaign is called Errands, centred around how Bailey Nelson frames move with you through everyday routines. Do you find inspiration tends to appear more in those quieter, in-between moments rather than during intentional creative time?

Inspiration is not something I can sit down and try to force - my ideas come the most naturally when I’m out and about and living my everyday life - on the train, shopping and finding an awesome new piece of clothing, cooking my favourite meals, being out for my morning walk. That’s when the ideas flow!