Artist Statement

Sorrel Trevarthen is an illustrator based in Sydney, living with her husband and son. With a background in Interior Design, she creates freehand illustrations that focus on themes of home, family, and community. Sorrel graduated from UTS with a Bachelor of Design (Honours) in 2002 and worked in the design industry until 2017 when she underwent IVF treatment. After a miscarriage in 2021, she began drawing to process her grief. In 2023, Sorrel and her husband decided to stop fertility treatments, leading to the “birth” of her “business baby”, “Picket Fence Illustrations”.

Sorrel’s work is deeply personal and inspired by her experiences and connections to special places. She says, “Drawing has brought me great comfort during a very difficult time in my life. Now my art has continued to bring me joy and healing through being available to spend time with my family and building a sense of community and belonging with other like-minded small business owners and artists”. Her first solo exhibition, “Pyrmont Locals,” was at Piccolino Gallery on Harris, showcasing her connection to Pyrmont, where she lived with her husband when they were first married.

Wendy Whiteley’s “Secret Garden,” where Sorrel and her husband got married, has also been an inspiration to her. Wendy Whiteley says, “Loss is something all people end up dealing with in one way or another. Sometimes loss can seem too much to bear. But we must allow ourselves time to get through the stages of grieving. The amazing thing about life is that deep sadness can, in its own time, lead you on a path of renewal and discovery”.

Sorrel hopes that her art brings joy and healing to others as it has to her.

“I would love to draw somewhere special for you and your special people – Love from Sorrel”.

picketfenceillustrations.com

@picket_fence_illustrations

picketfenceillustrations@gmail.com