Words: Bethany Burgoyne

Artist David Shillinglaw takes you on a journey to explore lands of colourful creations that buzz with gentle familiarity. Having been described as a "mind adventurer", each one of his creations ring with childlike appeal, leading you through the streets of this artist’s imagination.

David's history of painting suggests that the world is his canvas. Having studied art at Central Saint Martins, David moved from studios to streets in countries far and wide. Not only has he been graffitiing in cities, including London, for years, he has journeyed to areas of the Middle East to work with Syrian refugees, painting murals within the often-derelict camps. The use of colour and friendly imagery is what effectively brightens up whichever environment he works in. Words are often found within the tangle of shapes and recognisable forms; joyful messages encouraging hope, humour and happiness. He takes the mundane and ugly and emblazons them with life. Whatever the surface, David seems to see it as an opportunity to create. A discarded mattress sitting sadly on a street corner is transformed by a large, optimistic slogan and a recognisable David-esque drawing.

Cartoon like in quality, David's work moves from murals to paintings, small handmade books to elegant graphic like prints. Moving from a gallery, to the walls of a café or down by a canal, wherever it may be, this well-honed style injects an element of happiness that shines out from each piece of artwork this man creates.

You can follow David Shillinglaw on Twitter @Dodeshillinglaw and Instagram @davidshillinglaw

Words: Bethany Burgoyne