Tabby Booth
Tabby Booth is a Cornwall-based artist whose beautiful, whimsical works are deeply rooted in storytelling. Her bold silhouettes and playful compositions have quickly become her signature, bridging illustration and traditional folk art painting in motifs of folklore, beasts and the sea. These reimagined takes on ancient relics and naive forms are designed with interiors in mind, adding character and intrigue to homes.A Central Saint Martins illustration graduate, Tabby co-founded Cygnets Art School and Sailors Jail Gallery in Falmouth with her husband James Heslip. Her works draw inspiration from the ancient art of Scrimshaw — engraving drawings into bone and ivory. Using sgraffito techniques to create richly textured pieces, Tabby pairs these with vintage frames for finished artworks that speak to their history yet offer a beautiful, contemporary perspective.
Working across mediums, from oils on wood to neon inks on rag paper, Tabby's style maintains a consistent boldness and playfulness, creating art for what she calls "the walls of bold, playful people." Her curious pieces often explore the relationship between animals and humans, carrying whimsical details that continue the folk art aesthetic that has become her hallmark.
PHOTOGRAPHY / Courtesy of Tabby Booth
