Advent Day 5 – May Illustrates

Kicking off our Christmas Advent is May Illustrates. Known for their incredible depictions of local landmarks, Jaz, the brain behind M.I. is blossoming as a local artist. Overflowing with personalised commissions and excited for the future ahead, May Illustrates are celebrating their first Christmas the right way!

We are so excited to see what is next for this brilliant illustrator.

What's your favourite thing about the festive season?

Spending time with family and friends. I’m definitely looking forward to that quality time.

Name one things that you'd encourage others to do over this festive season.

People need to try the Black Forest Hot Chocolate at MerseyMade, it’s incredible.

And just shop independent, it always means so much more when you receive something from an independent seller. There’s more thought gone into it. Like, I’m doing personalised illustrations at the moment, of people’s favourite bars, and I just think, how nice would it to receive something that personal.

What does MerseyMade mean to you?

I love the sense of community, the feeling of unity.

The way the staff, artists and customers are all just allowed to be themselves.

How do you express your creative side?

Going on city breaks and discovering new places.

I love to solo travel, explore the world and find inspiration in both the places and the journey.

France was one of the best trips. I went to Nice, Bordeaux, Paris and Lourdes, each place was so different, the architecture and the discovery of hidden parts of the cities, it’s incredible.

It’s the architecture of Paris that sticks in my mind, the New York feel, European buildings.

Maybe this is why I illustrate buildings.

What's the best present you've ever given and why?

My Christmas dinner. Without a doubt. Loads of beef cooked medium rare, gammon, the fluffiest roast potatoes, honey roast carrots, sprouts and bacon, pigs in blankets and the best tenderstem broccoli. Food is the way to the heart.

It’s hard to know what the best present I’ve ever given is, but the best I received was from my dad. For my thirtieth, he refurbished the engagement ring he gave my mum, its absolutely beautiful, a real 70s, scouse ring. I don’t think anything I’ve ever given matches up to that.