Across her body of work, Denize’s use of colour is always distinct. “Colour in itself is a powerful form of communication,” she explains. “In the past few years I have undoubtedly noticed that it plays a major role for me, that is the first thing I notice when looking at art.” Swathes of reds, pinks, and greens take over Denize’s palette, and together work to create a cartoon world that hinges on an acid trip. “With the colours, I love drawing big heads with luscious lips, chiselled cheekbones, and semi-closed eyes,” Denize says. “The women I draw usually have rather serious faces, I think that this is unintentionally taking inspiration from myself as people often say that my face seems very serious, even though on the inside I feel like a ray of sunshine.” Whilst Denize is a fan of drawing digitally via Procreate, she does spend time experimenting with other mediums and returning to traditional drawing mediums. “Digital art can sometimes feel too ‘perfect’ because you can re-do one line so many times,” she explains. “So I occasionally switch it up and just draw on paper, it feels more free and spontaneous.”
Denize, whilst now an illustrator and content-creator, had never planned for things to turn out this way. “I originally planned to become a stylist and go down the fashion route,” she tells us. “But when I was studying art and design at the University of the Creative Arts, I was able to discover a lot of different artworld pathways and illustration was one of them,” she says, pointing to her tutor Jack Rickwood for helping her hone personal style and artistic expression. Denize’s love for fashion and her great eye for style has kept much of her illustrative work today feeling edgy and contemporary, and her uncanny artistic wit is also worth taking note of. It’s Groovy Chick meets Tim Burton – part Bratz doll, part Adventure Time. “I always say that their faces are a mix of Bratz dolls, skeletons and aliens,” Denize says.