Meet Tabby Booth

Q: Hi Tabby, can you tell us about the themes behind your work?

A: Animals have always been a central theme in my work. I love things that have character and life to them, and animals embody that completely. Even a very simple image of an animal can spark so much in someone’s imagination: a memory of a folk tale from childhood, a beloved pet, a meaningful omen, or an invented character.

My biggest influences come from folk and outsider art, as well as esoteric themes such as tarot and the zodiac. I’m drawn to things that are wonky and weird, created historically by ordinary people, rich in symbolism, and separate from the institutions of the art world. That’s where you often find the best things.

Q: How does your passion for interior design play into your practice?

A: Other than art, interiors are my greatest passion, so I’m always creating work (whether paintings or illustrations) with this in mind. I love contrast and playfulness in interior spaces, mixing old with new and adding bold elements of humour. For me, an interior space is like an artwork you can walk inside: the colours, textures, fabrics, and artwork you surround yourself with are what ultimately feed your soul every day.

Q: You studied illustration at Central St Martins. How has your style developed since your time there?

A: I actually didn’t work as an artist for ten years after graduating. I started a business that took up all my time, and I lost my own practice along the way. It wasn’t until we opened our gallery much later that I returned to it. Suddenly, I had a reason to create again. Looking back at my work since I was a teenager, silhouettes and animals were always recurring themes, both in my own art and in that of other artists I admired, so I made them my focus.

Moving to Cornwall in 2020 also had a huge impact on my work. It’s a place steeped in mysticism, folklore, and history; it’s almost impossible not to be inspired by it. My studio looks out over the sea, and I love imagining the great galleons that would once have sailed past, surrounded by sailors and mermaids.

Q: In 2015 you co-founded Cygnets Art School. Could you tell us about the foundation?

A: My (now) husband, James Heslip (Hessy), and I founded Cygnets not long after we’d left art school in London, where we met. We felt there was a real lack of traditional art classes for children in the UK, so we set out to create something that taught these skills in a simple, step-by-step way that children could easily understand. What began as just a couple of classes in Kingston grew over the years into a nationwide franchise, now with nearly 50 branches across the country.

Q: You also own and run your own art gallery, Sailors Jail in Falmouth. What is the vision behind the gallery and the collective of artists it represents?

A: There are so many incredible art galleries in Cornwall, but many of them sell similar work. We wanted to create something different. Sailors Jail is an alternative gallery where you can discover artists you might not encounter elsewhere. All the artists we represent are either Cornish, Cornwall-based, or alumni of Falmouth University. Hessy and I are always drawn to a more illustrative, folky style, art with story, character, and edge, so we wanted a space that reflected that.

We had no prior experience running a gallery, but decided to give it a year and see how it went. Two years on, we’ve become an international destination for unique, affordable artwork, shipping pieces around the world every day, which still feels kind of surreal!

Q: We’re thrilled to have published fine art prints from your Chinese horoscope animal collection. What can you tell us about these charming artworks?

A: I’ve always loved the idea of the Chinese zodiac animals, the symbolic creatures tied to a person’s birth year. With Celestial Beasts, I wanted to create an exclusive series of my classic animal silhouettes, but with a twist. There’s a concept in interior design called ‘surprise red’: a pop of red in a space that draws the eye, adds an element of playfulness and the unexpected, and, in this case, reflects the traditional colour of China.

Q: Having already accomplished so much, do you have any big ambitions for the future?

A: One of the most frustrating parts of this job, I’ve realised, is having so many exciting projects in the pipeline and not being able to talk about them! It often takes a long time for things to come to fruition, but I have several really exciting projects in progress that I can’t wait to share soon. I especially love collaborating with brands on homeware and apparel, so I’m hoping for more opportunities like that in the coming years.