The Eastern Daily Press has teamed up with the Urban Art Store to award one NUA student the chance to display their work at the upcoming Under the Stalls art show.
Here we take a closer look at one of the finalists.
Norwich-based illustrator Caitlin brings a playful, story-driven practice to Under The Stalls, drawing on comics, culture and a love of making without limits.
For illustrator Caitlin, creativity begins with freedom.
Based in Norwich and working as a freelance illustrator alongside running her own Etsy shop, her practice is rooted in colour, spontaneity, and a refusal to place boundaries on what art should be.
From children’s book illustrations to music merchandise and branding, Caitlin’s work spans disciplines united by a sense of fun and expressive energy.
"My work is fun, colourful and free as long as I’m having fun, I know I’m on the right path."
Caitlin describes her practice as open and playful, allowing curiosity rather than restriction to guide her process.
Visually, her work draws heavily from music, pop culture, classic comics and film, as well as her own identity.
Coming from a German and Eastern European background, she is particularly inspired by the storytelling traditions and fairytales associated with her heritage, weaving narrative into her illustrations wherever possible.
Her journey into art began early.
At the age of ten, a comic subscription gifted by her mum proved transformative.
Each monthly issue fuelled hours of drawing, copying her favourite characters with dedication—a habit she never grew out of.
Years later, that childhood passion evolved into a professional pursuit when she launched her Etsy shop in 2022, followed by curating and running her first exhibition in 2024.
"I would draw my favourite characters every day and I haven’t really looked back since."
While Caitlin comes from a painting background, having worked predominantly with oil paints during her education, her current practice leans towards illustration and ink.
Dip pens and ink remain central to her process, offering a looseness and immediacy that she feels reflects her personality and working style.
"It’s easy to get bogged down in fine-tuning details," she explains, "but ink brings spontaneity back into the work.
"The looseness and spontaneity of ink really reflects my practice as a whole."
This balance between playfulness and depth is a defining feature of Caitlin’s work.
Though her illustrations are often colourful and textured, she enjoys introducing moments of grit and atmosphere—particularly influenced by film and comic storytelling.
Her recent university project allowed her to fully embrace this, exploring comic-making processes and producing a cover she is especially excited to show at Under The Stalls.
Caitlin is also candid about the challenges she has faced as her practice has grown.
Letting go of perfectionism, she says, has been one of the most difficult but necessary lessons.
As her audience expanded, so too did the pressure to make everything flawless—something she now actively resists.
"Letting go of the idea that everything I make must be ‘perfect’ has been the biggest challenge."
A key influence in her development was a former art teacher who encouraged her to follow what she loved most creatively.
His guidance had a lasting impact, and after his death from cancer before Caitlin left for university, she made a conscious decision to continue her artistic path for the right reasons—passion, curiosity, and joy.
"Even when this path is difficult, I want to be an artist for the right reasons because I love it."
Currently in her second year studying Illustration, Caitlin sees Under The Stalls as an important step toward building creative connections ahead of a potential industry placement year.
Opportunities like this, she believes, are vital for emerging artists—particularly in a creative landscape increasingly shaped by AI and uncertainty.
"Any opportunity to promote your work and establish yourself is a step in the right direction."
At the fair, Caitlin is most looking forward to meeting people—fellow artists, collectors, and curious visitors alike.
She values conversation as much as visibility, believing some of the most meaningful insights come from informal exchanges within creative spaces.
Looking ahead, Caitlin hopes to continue expanding her portfolio through commissions, building on past work with musicians and a local tattoo artist.
She also plans to begin selling her Etsy work in person more regularly, using markets and events to connect with Norwich and Norfolk’s wider creative community.
"I’m hoping people will be curious about my work and want to follow where it goes next."
For Caitlin, Under The Stalls represents not just a chance to exhibit, but a space where experimentation, connection, and creative confidence can grow one conversation, and one illustration, at a time.
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