“Frog + Foxglove” by Therese Tucker 2025.

If you look closely at my work, you’ll see a quiet trail leading back to some of the artists who shaped me—both consciously and unconsciously. Their fingerprints are all over my creative instincts, my sense of color, and the way I approach a blank page.

My Early Artistic Influences

Before I ever called myself an artist, I was being shaped by art.

Beatrix Potter was one of my first companions. Her stories and illustrations lived on my porcelain dish set as a child, tucked into bedtime stories, and woven into the fabric of my earliest memories. I engaged with her every single day, and that gentle, English countryside whimsy still lives in my work. I didn’t choose her influence—it chose me.

Then came Mary Blair. As a child, I didn’t know her name, but I knew the way Alice in Wonderland and Cinderellamade me feel. Later, I discovered that Mary was the visionary behind those concept sketches—the colors, the odd shapes, the bold whimsy—and I felt like I had found the heartbeat of something I had always known.

In my teenage years, I discovered Michael Parkes. I bought a poster of his surreal ballerina painting and hung it above my bed. His dreamlike imagery, celestial themes, and graceful women deeply influenced the way I imagined characters and movement. For years, he was the artist I aspired to emulate.

How Their Influence Shows Up in My Work

Today, you might not see them directly in my art—but I do.

From Beatrix, I inherited my love of animals, the woodland world, and a soft touch in my linework. From Mary, the ability to lean into odd color pairings, slightly skewed perspective, and playful storytelling. From Michael, the sense of elegance, flow, and emotion through figure and atmosphere.

Even when I can't see their presence clearly, other people do—especially recently as I’ve been creating work for the #botanicalsandbeasties2025 challenge. Multiple people have noted a vintage Disney quality in my illustrations. That’s Mary, peeking through. And when I’m leaning into tenderness, subtle colors, and soft character design? That’s Beatrix.

Letting Go to Make Space for My Own Voice

As I’ve grown, I’ve also started to notice which influences I’ve let go of. Michael Parkes used to be a main character in my visual world. But over time, I’ve drifted away from surrealism and toward something more grounded, gentle, and romantic. More woodland, less angelic. More storybook, less allegorical.

It’s been important for me to allow my influences to evolve with me. I no longer feel the need to imitate—now, I’m integrating.

What I Hope People Feel in My Work

I don’t necessarily want you to say, “Ah! Mary Blair!” or “This reminds me of Beatrix Potter!” What I hope you feel is a sense of comfort, serenity, and that there’s space for you in my work. I want my art to feel safe and tender—a kind of soft place to land.

I imagine it in children’s rooms, in quiet corners of the home, or gifted to someone who needs something gentle. I hope it inspires without overwhelming.

Want to See My Visual Inspirations?

If you’re curious about what lights me up creatively, you can explore my Mary Blair–inspired Pinterest board here and peek into the worlds that shape my imagination.

And if you want to start a creative practice of your own, check out my Art & Soul Journal, a year-long guide filled with 365 creative prompts to spark your imagination. It’s my gift to you.

➡️ Get the Art & Soul Journal here

🧁 What’s Next?

If this post resonates with you, I’d love for you to:

Leave a comment and tell me who shaped your creative path.
Join me on Patreon to see which of my illustrations become postcards, stickers, and behind-the-scenes goodies.
Follow along on Instagram @starthistle.and.quartz to see the art as it’s created in real time.