Meet Nona: Bringing Modern Myths and Imaginative Characters to Life
Pinlord Artist Feature · Liverpool Illustrator, Painter and Storyteller
Step into the imaginative universe of Nona, a Liverpool-based illustrator and painter whose work blends mythology, fantasy and contemporary life through richly developed characters.
Working across oil painting and digital illustration, Nona combines traditional technique with modern precision to create narrative-driven art, books, comics, prints and collectible products.
What Creative Medium Does Nona Use?
Nona works across oil painting and digital illustration, allowing her to combine the physical richness of traditional media with the flexibility and precision of digital art.
Oil Painting
Traditional paint gives Nona’s work depth, atmosphere and texture, helping mythic figures feel grounded and emotionally present.
Digital Illustration
Digital tools allow her to refine complex compositions, develop expressive characters and build imaginative visual worlds.
Character Design
Her work is strongly character-focused, with each figure shaped by personality, narrative and a clear connection to a larger world.
Mythological Storytelling
Nona reinterprets legendary creatures and ancient stories through a modern visual language that feels fresh and accessible.
How Would Nona Describe Her Art Style?
Nona’s work combines mythological storytelling with a contemporary, character-driven aesthetic. Her art often asks what legendary beings might look like, feel like and struggle with if they existed in modern life.
Ancient myths become newly relatable when their characters are allowed to live, adapt and evolve in the present day.
What Does Nona Create?
Nona develops narrative-led projects and products that bring her characters and imagined worlds into books, prints, paintings and collectible formats.
Illustrated Anthologies and Art Books
Projects such as Modern Monsters imagine mythical creatures from around the world adapting to contemporary life.
Fine Art Prints and Oil Paintings
Finished works combine strong composition, detailed characterisation and a painterly sense of atmosphere.
Comics and Personal Series
Nona builds longer-form visual stories through comics, short narratives and self-directed creative collections.
Commissioned Character Art
She also creates fantasy visuals and character designs for clients seeking distinctive, story-rich artwork.
How Nona’s Creative Journey Began
Although Nona trained in computer engineering, she was always drawn toward art. She taught herself both oil painting and digital illustration, steadily building a portfolio that allowed her to move from personal exploration into professional creative work.
Her technical background and self-directed artistic education now work together in a practice that values structure, experimentation and imaginative problem-solving.
Over time, her portfolio expanded to include major commissions, exhibitions, books and personal projects rooted in mythology and character-led storytelling.
Proudest Achievements and Milestones
Commissioned Work for the Burj Khalifa
Nona’s portfolio includes commissioned artwork connected with one of the world’s most recognisable architectural landmarks.
Exhibiting at Hamlet’s Castle
Her work has also been exhibited in a setting closely associated with history, literature and dramatic storytelling.
Bluecoat Chambers Collection
A piece by Nona is held in the permanent collection at Bluecoat Chambers, Liverpool’s historic arts centre.
Building Modern Monsters
Her global character series gave her a strong framework for turning mythological research into a distinctive creative universe.
Overcoming Procrastination and Creative Stagnation
Procrastination was one of Nona’s biggest creative challenges. Without a clear structure, it was easy for ideas to remain unfinished or lose momentum.
She addressed this by setting ambitious, clearly defined personal projects such as Modern Monsters. Regular weekly studio sessions gave her work rhythm, accountability and a practical path from concept to completion.
A defined project can turn scattered inspiration into focused creative momentum.
What Is Next for Nona?
- Her first comic book: Nona is developing a collection of short stories filled with mythic figures and character-led narratives.
- Deeper oil painting practice: she plans to continue strengthening her traditional technique and visual storytelling.
- More narrative projects: future work will expand the worlds and characters established through her existing series.
- Broader creative reach: books, exhibitions, conventions and products will help her work connect with new audiences.
Nona’s Advice for Fellow Creators
Exhibit at comic conventions and art events whenever you can. They are valuable places to meet people, gain exposure and grow your creative brand.
- Set defined projects: clear goals make it easier to overcome procrastination and maintain creative direction.
- Create a studio routine: regular work sessions help ideas develop into finished pieces.
- Meet your audience: conventions and art events create direct connections with collectors, readers and other artists.
- Build through personal work: self-directed projects can become some of the strongest pieces in an artist’s portfolio.
- Keep developing your craft: experimenting across traditional and digital media can strengthen visual storytelling.
Turning Fantasy Characters into Collectible Merchandise
Character-driven artists can adapt creatures, symbols and story elements from larger narrative worlds into products that supporters can collect. Enamel pins are especially suited to fantasy series, book launches and convention-exclusive designs.
Connect with Nona
Explore Nona’s portfolio and shop to discover art prints, books, stickers, enamel pins, paintings and new character-driven projects.
Nona is based in Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Comments (0)
Be the first to comment
Leave a comment
Share your thoughts below. Comments may be reviewed before publishing.