Hi! Thanks for having me. My name is Isabelle Vandeplassche and I’m a Belgian illustrator and designer based in Ericeira, Portugal.

My illustrations are made to awaken the mind and are derived from the infinite colors found in nature. I combine working on commissions with creating personal projects. With my work, I want to bring a little bit of happiness to the life of people.

When I am not creating, I am probably at the sea enjoying the sun or surfing.

We know you live in a little village by the Atlantic Ocean, in Portugal. Do you think the place where you live influences your work?

Definitely yes. There is something very therapeutic about living at the seaside. The sun, the freedom, the people,... It has been over a year that I decided to live here.

I could say it also influenced me as a person. I find the ocean and surfing very inspiring, and it is definitely a running theme through my paintings.

Your beautiful watercolor world is relaxing and soothing, which is super helpful these uncertain days we are living. What are your main inspirations to create?

Everything I create is hand painted with watercolor and gouache and is later finalized digital. I love being surrounded by nature, it gives me endless ideas for finding new color palettes and patterns. Traveling is my biggest source of inspiration - it gives me the opportunity to discover new colors, cultures, landscapes, plants and much more. 

Aside from that, I also try to be attentive to the details around me in my daily life and try to consider everything as a potential source of inspiration.

We just love how you manage your Instagram account: we think the combination of photography and your art is just perfect. Do you have your own tricks to get these amazing results?

Thank you! I am happy to hear you like this combination! Doing this, gives me the chance to show my followers a sneak peek at my inspiration. 

I try to find matching color palettes between my daily life photos and my art. To define this, I mix and match the photos in an Instagram planning app called Unum. 

Recently we saw one of our Bonitos on your Instagram Stories so that means you like our brand! We are so happy about it. What do you like the most about Don Fisher?

Everything! I have been a huge fan of your brand for a long time. I discovered Don Fisher on Instagram and remember instantly wanting to get them all.

I am fascinated by the ocean and love how colorful and fun all the Bonitos are. You think about the smallest details, even the inside is full of fishbones! The different collections are for all ages and let us discover the diversity of creatures in the ocean.