Celebrities by dda_toi in Upper Hutt

I’m a visual storyteller and illustrator based in Aotearoa, creating artwork inspired by pūrākau Māori, history, and imaginative world-building grounded in mātauranga Māori. My work sits somewhere between traditional storytelling and contemporary concept art. I love designing characters, scenes, and moments that feel like they belong to a larger living world — whether that’s illustrating atua and tīpuna stories, developing original fantasy ideas, painting murals, or creating artwork for books, education, or community spaces. I work mainly in ink illustration with digital colour, as well as acrylic painting and large-scale mural work. A big influence on my style is 90s comic art, and I enjoy combining that bold graphic energy with kaupapa Māori narratives and symbolism. What inspires me most is bringing stories to life in a way that feels powerful, respectful, and accessible. I’m especially passionate about creating artwork that helps people connect with identity, language, history, and imagination. I also love collaborating with clients to shape their ideas into something meaningful and visually striking. Whether it’s a commissioned illustration, mural concept, book artwork, or something unique you’ve been thinking about for a while — I enjoy the process of turning ideas into images that carry story and presence. If you’ve got something in mind, I’d love to hear about it 🙂