Come along — let’s enter UK artist Gemma Koomen’s peaceful, gentle miniature world. It’s an enchanting place where fairies, gnomes, birds, bees, and busy little people co-exist, a place where you’re invited to linger, look around, and appreciate nature’s small wonders. Such a welcome balm from stressful, noisy, oftentimes chaotic modern times!

Having grown up in the Scottish countryside, Gemma has always felt a deep connection with the natural world. Both her parents were artists, and she’s loved drawing since childhood. She distinctly remembers getting lost in imaginative narratives of her own making (many with fairytale motifs), that made her aware of the power of art. She was especially fond of Richard Scarry’s Busy Town books and avidly studied the small worlds and characters in those stories.

With her lifelong love of drawing and painting, it was natural for her to pursue a career in the creative arts. She earned degrees in both Fine Art Photography and Illustration, and after graduating, worked as a photographer, brand specialist and web designer. It wasn’t until she had her two daughters that she transitioned to becoming a full-time illustrator. Spending many hours reading picture books and drawing with her children rekindled her love of illustration and she hasn’t looked back since.

Now living in the wilds of Northumberland, Gemma has the woods and fields right at her doorstep. During a typical work day, she tries to get outdoors often for sunlight and fresh air, relishing those moments of solace, reflection and inspiration through the four seasons.

Stepping out of our tiny house to see the barn owl swoop over the garden, the flock of starlings going to roost in the old ash tree, a red squirrel collecting acorns in the plantation of the farm are all things that have made their way into my work, as have the wildflowers and plants of the hedgerow.

Gemma creates her pictures with gouache, ink and sometimes colored pencil. She focuses on the simple things in life, the little things she loves, “real and imaginary wildflowers and plants, small people in big places, animals that you could maybe have a conversation with, thoughtful objects and tiny homes.”

Though my processes vary, my illustrations often start life as a pencil or ink sketch. Sometimes I have a direct theme in mind, which can often be seasonal. I will sketch out ideas and look through my vintage reference books and my own photographs. Inspiration also comes from just living life, seeing something that moves me, and sketching it down right away. Once I’m happy with the sketch, I move into paint, then scan it, lay out the design digitally and send it to the client if it’s a commission or onto the printers.

At the outset of building a professional career in illustration, she practiced drawing every day, experimented with painting, took a few creative classes and shared her process on Instagram. As her following grew, so did her confidence. Clients began to find her online.

One of them was an editor at Quarto Books, who loved Gemma’s magical worlds, as it reminded her of playing outside in the woods when she was little. They worked together on making a picture book for a couple of years, resulting in Gemma’s debut, The Tree Keepers: Flock (Frances Lincoln, 2020). The story centers around Sylvia, a loner who befriends a baby starling. When the starling leaves to join its flock, Sylvia then joins other Tree Keepers, having experienced the blessings of friendship and community.

Gemma’s work has been featured in Country Living Magazine, Period Living Magazine, BBC Homes and Antiques, and Flow Magazine, among others.

Prints, cards, calendars, and signed books may be purchased via her Online Shop. Where possible, she has strived to use sustainably sourced paper, packaging and printers who use environmentally friendly practices.

For a list of Stockists who sell Gemma’s products in their stores, check out this webpage. For her most comprehensive portfolio to date and to keep up with all her current projects, visit her Instagram.

Enjoy this video of Gemma reading The Tree Keepers: Flock. For backstory about the book, check out this detailed interview at Cast of Thousands.

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*Copyright © 2025 Jama Rattigan of Jama’s Alphabet Soup. All rights reserved.