Nessa Lilly: Painter & Fashion Illustrator

Please introduce yourself and tell us a little about your journey into illustration.

Hi, I’m Nessa, a painter and fashion illustrator specializing in live illustration. My journey started with a love for, style, and capturing people in the moment. Over time, painting and fashion naturally came together for me, turning into a fun, expressive way to tell stories through art. Now, I create chic, personalized illustrations that bring events, brands, and beautiful moments to life.

You had a full career in fashion before starting Nessa Lilly. What gave you the push to pivot into something more creative? 

I did! What pushed me to pivot was wanting to explore the why behind women’s fashion choices, not just guiding buyers toward what to purchase, but understanding how women use fashion to create their own sense of armour, identity, and confidence. That curiosity naturally pulled me toward illustration, where I could capture that feeling in a more personal and creative way.

Your work feels very personal and expressive. How would you describe your creative voice today?

My creative voice is about women and the quiet power in how they choose to show up.
With illustration, I’m chasing the feeling before it disappears,the gesture, the mood, the way someone carries herself. My paintings are slower and more tonal, but they come from the same place: style as a story, not just an outfit.

Where do you find inspiration when you’re feeling stuck or creatively drained?

When I feel creatively stuck, I usually step away long enough to miss the work again. That space creates a real yearning to make something.

I find inspiration everywhere, books, old magazines, online images, friends’ posts, tiny details I notice day to day. I collect images constantly because sometimes the smallest thing can pull me back in.

What are your non-negotiable rituals Before Life Happens? 

Before the day gets loud, I make coffee, feed my dog, light a candle and incense, and take a few minutes to meditate. I think about what I want to call into the day. That first quiet half hour keeps me grounded, clear, and makes everything that comes after feel more manageable.

How do you balance creating for yourself versus creating for others?

This one is still a work in progress for me. When client work is flowing, I’m so grateful, but it can mean I have less space to create just for myself. I’ve learned to really value the slower moments, because that’s usually when new ideas start to come through and I can make something that feels purely mine.

What does a typical day look like for you, from your morning routine to how you wind down?

Every day looks a little different, which I actually love.

Earlier in the week, I’m usually in the studio during the day, working on paintings, admin, prep, and ideas that need a bit more quiet. From Wednesday to Saturday, I’m often live illustrating for brands and events, so those days are much more high energy. An event can be a whirlwind, I’m creating quick portraits back-to-back for hours, so I try to take care of myself as much as possible before I arrive.By the time I get home, I like to keep things simple. I’ll usually have something healthy ready to eat, then I fully switch off and rest. The days are intense, but there’s something really beautiful about getting to move between the studio and these big, alive moments with people.

What’s one small habit or mindset shift that’s had the biggest impact on your creativity or overall wellbeing?

The biggest mindset shift has been learning to move through it. I used to think I had to feel inspired before I could create, but now I know inspiration often shows up once I’ve already started. Even if I don’t feel like it, I’ll make something small, stay open, and let the work lead me back in.