TABBY BOOTH

INTRODUCTION

Quickly becoming known for her signature silhouettes, Tabby Booth’s work treads a captivating parallel between illustration and traditional folk art painting. With a passion for interiors, each piece is designed with this in mind, threaded with themes of beasts, folklore and the sea. 

Tabby studied illustration at Central St Martins and went on to found Cygnets Art School and Sailors Jail Gallery with her artist husband James Heslip. They live in Cornwall in the pink house at the top of the hill by the sea, with their children Rudy and Ziggy.

“The best things in life are about contrast, and for me, nothing looks more striking on a wall than that rich, bold silhouette. I love the juxtaposition of what appears to be an ancient relic, combined with a naive and whimsical element. Paint and wax is laid primitively onto bare wood in layers; I work quickly and without thinking. A character starts to show itself, the silhouette folding to fill the negative space. Sharp tools scratch rawly into the paint, revealing texture like scrimshaw.”

OMEN SERIES

OMEN explores the profound connection between animals, and the ancient belief that certain creatures carry with them messages of guidance and protection. Each painting in this series represents an animal as a symbol of good fortune or positive transformation: additionally acting as a talismanic object to the owner. The creatures I have chosen are imbued with layers of symbolism—many drawn from myth and folklore.