Taking the Pulse with Isabel Coxon

From civil engineer to whimsical storyteller—Isabel Coxon, 2026 Applied Arts Young Blood Illustration Awards winner for her piece "Supernatural Nature", is turning her lifelong passion into art.

Based in Victoria, BC, Isabel recently completed her illustration certificate at Emily Carr University of Art + Design and has been busy creating painterly, storybook-inspired pieces that blend nature with a touch of fairytale magic. Working in both digital and traditional media, she aims to spark curiosity and a deeper appreciation for the natural world—one imaginative illustration at a time.

What inspires you?

My biggest inspiration is and always has been nature. As a child, nothing peaked my imagination like a walk through a forest or a visit to a waterfall. My sisters and I were always looking for places where fairies might live or imagining what magic properties the sparkling water had. Nature still feels like magic to me, and it has led me to have a passion for environmental stewardship. My goal for my work is to share that passion and that sense of magic with others and hopefully inspire them to care for our planet.

What is the hardest part when you are creating/when you created this specific piece? 

I find the hardest part when creating any piece is trying not to compare myself to other artists. Especially with social media, it is so easy to constantly compare your work to others and feel inadequate. It really feeds into imposter syndrome, and for me, it often just leads to art block. 

Having an art community is still important. It’s great to be able to admire other artist’s work and see their process. You can learn new techniques or be inspired by their work, but I try to remind myself that the only artist I should compare myself to is me. Even if I make something I don’t like, I try to see it as practice and figure out what I can learn from it.

What do you hope people say/think when they see your piece? 

I hope this series inspires a sense of wonder about our natural world. Each piece presents an augmented version of nature—giant flowers, glowing fish, and northern lights—that are alive.

More than anything, I hope it reminds people that nature is already full of incredible moments we often take for granted. The small things really are magic, and I think it is something we often forget.

What are your interests outside of work?  

Outside of art, two of my main interests are movies and the outdoors. I love going out to the movies or cozying up at home with some snacks. I love all kinds of movies, but my main obsession is Studio Ghibli. I am a big fan of the environmental themes, strong female leads, and anti-war themes that Miyazaki has in most of his films and of course, the gorgeous art style. 

I also love to spend time outside. I love hiking, swimming, and camping. I am a strong believer in nature having a healing effect. Time spent walking under big trees or swimming in the ocean always leaves me feeling better than I was before, both mentally and physically. I am incredibly thankful that I live in a beautiful part of the world with access to pristine nature.

IG: @isabelcoxonart | W: isabelcoxonart

Isabel Coxon is quickly establishing herself as a voice to watch in the illustration world. Her blend of whimsical storytelling, painterly technique, and environmental focus doesn’t just delight—it pushes creative boundaries, inspiring peers and emerging illustrators to bring vision and purpose to their work.