Hi, I’m Una - the artist who can’t walk past a café without whispering “I’m painting you later.”
I spend my days drawing cozy shopfronts and all the charming little corners people usually rush past on their way to… wherever people rush. I work with ink and watercolours (and sometimes Procreate when my brushes need a break). And my mission is simple: to inspire people to notice how much personality and story a simple building has.
Before all the sketchbooks, I worked as a chef, which explains my love for tiny details and handwritten menus. One day I realised I cared more about drawing cozy cafés than cooking in them.
I drew one shopfront, then another… and suddenly my camera roll became 98% drawings and reference photos. Tourists think I’m photographing them, but no… it’s always the shop behind them.
That little obsession slowly grew into the cozy art world I get to share with you now.
Tiny facts about me
Things That Keep Me Happy
- I hike whenever I can
- I like to wander quiet streets and finding the cutest shopfronts
- I’ve got 6 tattoos — and yes, I’m already planning the next ones
What’s Playing While I Paint
- Usually it’s Ultimo on repeat (yes, I sing along)
- Or I’m rewatching Gilmore Girls for the 11th time.
- On slower days, I fall down rabbit holes with Yes Theory videos.
- Or sip coffee while watching The Diary of A CEO.
Fuel For The Art
- Mozzarella with tomatoes and a good olive oil
- Coffee with milk and one sugar
- A good cheeseburger
- When the day’s done - an Aperol spritz.
I’ve always believed that buildings have personalities - quiet ones full of charm if you take a moment to notice. Drawing these cozy corners taught me to slow down and feel more grounded, and I want other artists to experience that same calm. After so many people asked how I draw shopfronts, I started creating resources to help.
My Creative Guides, Urban Art Kit brushes and Watercolour Coloring Book are all made to make drawing cozy buildings feel fun and approachable - whether you work traditionally or in Procreate.
If they help you sit down, pick a building and think “yes, I can draw this”, then they’ve done exactly what I hoped.
What I offer
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Creative Guides
GET THE GUIDEMy Creative Guides teach you how to draw shopfronts, add character, and understand shadows - with simple theory, example drawings and easy exercises to follow along.
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Cozy Shops In Watercolor
GET THE BOOKColoring Book filled with 28 charming shopfronts, printed on 200gsm paper - perfect for watercolours and other art mediums.
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Urban Art Kit brushes for procreate
GET THE BRUSHESProcreate brushes designed to help you create cozy buildings and charming details with ease - from ink and watercolour brushes to window and door stamps, plus bonus clipart like coffee stains and overlays.
I’m on a 6+ month trip through Southeast Asia. Starting in Thailand, then Laos and later Vietnam. My plan is simple: travel slowly, sketch often and collect memories from every place I visit.
I’ll be drawing shopfronts, cafés, streets, markets, food and all the unexpected little details that make each city feel different. Think sketchbook pages filled with tiny stories from around the world.
If you want to follow along, join Inky Explorers Club - my Patreon where I’ll share travel sketchbook spreads, reference photos, behind-the-scenes moments and digital goodies for artists who want to explore and draw with me.
It’ll be a cozy space to travel together, even from home.
FAQ
Do you take commissions?
At the moment no, but after my travels - who knows.
What tools do you use?
Ink, watercolours, pencils and sometimes Procreate
Why shopfronts?
Because they're tiny stories with doors and windows.
Where else I can follow your work?
Instagram, Tik Tok, Pinterest, Youtube and soon the Inky Explorer Club on Patreon
I'll be out there chasing cute shopfronts - come say Hi or tag me if you paint along. I always love seeing your creations :)
Photo Credit : Most of the beautiful photos of me across this website were taken by the lovely Aiga Cirule / @aigacirule.photography