The Story Behind I am Puerile: Why I Create Hand-Drawn Wearable Art
It all started with a search for motivation — a need to reconnect with art after years of being told it should remain “just a hobby.”
For so long, I believed that creative dreams weren’t something you could build a life on. Everyone told me to get a “real job,” to focus on stability, not art. But one day, I decided to prove myself wrong.
I painted one of my favourite drawings — one my partner had loved for years — on a t-shirt. He’d been telling me since we met that this drawing belonged on a top, not just on paper. So I finally did it. I wore it to work… and that changed everything.
The Beginning
When I wore that first hand-drawn t-shirt to the office, one of my closest friends saw it and freaked out. She loved it so much that she begged me to make one for her. I did — and when she wore hers, everyone else got curious.
Soon, people started asking if I could create custom designs for them. That’s when I turned to my partner and asked, “Do you think we could turn this into a business?” I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but the idea of creating art people could wear lit something inside me. And from that moment, he’s supported me every step of the way.
The journey since then has been anything but simple. I had to learn how to start a business in the UK — from legal steps and registrations to understanding quality, materials, and sustainable production. We talked to local advisors, attended government-sponsored business courses, and tested countless fabrics, paints, prints, and methods.
We failed plenty of times, wasted money thinking we were saving it, and made a lot of messy test pieces before finding the right garments and materials. But through all that, we kept our goal clear: to offer something better than what the mainstream market delivers — something with heart, soul, and craftsmanship.
The Creative Process
Now let’s get to the part I love most — the designs.
My quirky, weird, vibe-filled girl portraits are the soul of I am Puerile. I started drawing these during my time at the University of Arts, where I studied interior design. Even though my degree was about spaces and structure, my heart always leaned toward still life, details, and eventually — human figures.
I’ve always been the “odd pea” in my family, constantly exploring new looks and styles. I went from a long-haired, quiet girl to experimenting with every haircut and colour imaginable. I’ve been goth, punk, artsy, colourful — I’ve lived it all. I’ve done theatre, I play guitar, I sing, I like lifting weights, and I love plants.
In short: I’m chaos — but the lovely kind, as my partner says.
These portraits represent that journey — for me and for anyone who’s ever felt like they’re constantly evolving. They’re for everyone who’s changed their look, their style, or their path, and learned to love every version of themselves.
Each design is a little reminder that you can be anyone you want to be, and that it’s perfectly okay to change.
Every design begins with my hand-drawn art, but not all of them end up painted directly onto fabric. Some pieces I create entirely by hand on t-shirts, while others start as digital illustrations based on my original drawings, which I then print. The printed versions are quicker to produce and allow more people to wear my designs, while still keeping that handcrafted, artistic essence.
The hand-painted designs are slow, meditative, and truly one of a kind— each brushstroke a unique part of the story. The printed editions, on the other hand, carry the same spirit and emotion, offering a more accessible way to own wearable art.
Whether it’s painted or printed, every I am Puerile piece begins with the same spark — my pencil, my vision, and a little bit of chaos turned into art you can wear.
What Makes Pierced Edition Special
And just when I thought I’d explored every way to bring my art to life, the Pierced Edition was born…
If you’ve seen me, you know I love tattoos and piercings. Many of my drawn girls feature piercings or adornments, and one day, while experimenting with prints, I asked my partner, “What if we used real piercings on the shirts instead of drawing them?”
We laughed at first — and then we tried it.
After a few failed experiments (and a few ruined shirts), we found a way to make it work — a technique that ensures the fabric stays strong and doesn’t tear over time. That part is now my partner’s secret recipe — guarded like an old family secret by a very proud grandma!
The result is something truly different. The Pierced Edition blends art and fashion in a way that’s tactile, rebellious, and authentic. It’s wearable art that you can feel — literally. Each pierced tee is unique and handcrafted, made to stand out in a world of mass-produced prints.
The Vision
For me, wearable art is the perfect way for artists today to bring their work to life. It’s not just about fashion — it’s about allowing art to move, breathe, and exist in the real world, through you.
Every person who wears an I am Puerile piece gives it new meaning. One design can look completely different depending on who wears it — your energy, your story, your style. That’s the beauty of it.
And if one day you get bored of wearing it?
Frame it. Hang it. Make it part of your space.
My job is to bring the art to life — the rest is up to you.
I am Puerile is about keeping your inner child alive — staying playful, bold, and unapologetically creative. It’s a reminder to be whoever you are right now, and to look back at your past selves with love, not regret.
A Puerile Thank You
Thank you for supporting this puerile dream of mine. Every piece I create is filled with emotion, experimentation, and a deep love for art.
If you’re curious to see more, I invite you to explore the collections and find the piece that speaks to your soul.
