ABOUT ABBEY MAE

Intuitive Art | Nature Inspired. Welcome to my world...

ABBEY MAE is an intuitive artist, illustrator, author and mamma of three, who combines her passion for nature and mysticism in her paintings.

Merging abstract realism and expressionism, inspired by nature and her travels across the globe, her artworks explore the enchanting, dreamy landscapes of Earth and beyond. Often depicting dreamy backdrops with figurative elements, including wildlife, plant life, humans and the otherworldly. Creatures of land and sea are depicted, as are various sentient species and their innate bonds with humans, dusted with a sprinkling of the mythical, magical, primal, and tribal.

Abbey loves to express hope, optimism and light in her work; of a world where nature is thriving, humans are harmonious, and anything feels possible. She hopes this visual imprint will enable the viewer to discover their own inner beauty, as reflected in the outer world.

As above, so below; As within, so without.

Her most recent bodies of work have been inspired by travels through the savannahs of Kenya, the tropics of Asia, the deserts of California, the red-rocked cathedrals of Arizona, and the wildlife of her native New Zealand, where she’s just returned after nearly 30 years abroad.

Pre-kids, Abbey globe-trotted as a freelance writer living/working in various far-flung corners of the world: in Ibiza as a music journalist, in Florida as a culture editor, in London as a copywriter, film and restaurant critic, and in New Zealand as a feature writer for a Sunday newspaper.

She learnt that a chaotic child-filled home isn’t conducive to writing, so after rekindling her first love of visual arts Abbey launched West Acre Gallery in rural Norfolk, UK; an all-inclusive exhibition space with community at its core.

Today Abbey lives with her family in the South Island of New Zealand where she continues to exhibit, develop her style, build her homeware brand, and push the boundaries of her art.

ILKA ILLUSTRATIONS

Marrying the exotic and the domestic, Abbey’s design arm, Ilka Illustrations, launched in 2024, bringing the wilderness to the home on organic soft furnishings, bold colourful stationery, and premium art prints.

Sharing her passion for pattern, the brand reflects her love for whimsical, eclectic, maximalist designs that bring the outdoors in.

Creations include cushions, tea towels, oven gloves, aprons and cosmetic bags printed on 100% organic unbleached cotton, as well as notepads, wrapping paper and greeting cards, all intricately drawn by hand then coloured digitally.

All of Abbey’s homewares are made from 100% organic cotton and manufactured to the highest specification. She tries to keep her products as Earth friendly and free from nasties as possible, with plastic-free, natural wrapping, unbleached fabric and water-based inks.

Ilka Illustrations’ organic fabrics are covered by GOTs (the Global Organic Textile Standard) developed by leading standard setters to define world-wide recognised requirements for organic textiles.