about…
Freya Porritt Wessman is a visual artist, Illustrator and Animator based in Ballina/Killaloe, Ireland. A proud daughter, sister and peculiar being. Her Irish and Swedish family have allowed for a wonderfully colourful and bicultural upbringing. She spent her early years in southern Sweden, out in the country where red barns sit anchored in seas of yellow rapeseed in the spring, the roadsides adorned with midsummer flowers in the summer, and the endless expanse of bleak, frost or snow-covered fields in the winter. The changing world around her constantly fuels her curiosity. Stories and legends of the curious creatures and characters that might roam the land have always had a seat at her table of imagination.
She grew up with many talented women in her family fighting to have their artistic voices heard and watched her mother/teacher/artist devote countless years to her painting. Being surrounded by the magic and challenges of creation has meant a growing understanding and appreciation for the sacrifices made and the magic found in a life led by art.
Her later childhood was adventured in Ireland. A land of spongey and boggy fields, of gold light weaving through dark clouds and a rain-soaked sky. Meandering stone walls across vast fields and curling hawthorn trees and hazel groves, growing to the shape of the wind. A land of faeries and spirits, stone circles, sacred hearts and sacred hearths.
Folklore, culture, myth, land and family are constantly weaving themselves in and out of her work. Patterns, colours and textures of the worlds she inhabits both outside and within are a constant fuel to her art. She went on to have her first solo exhibition at the Bridge Gallery, Co Tipperary in May of 2024. Where she displayed a collection of ‘Peculiar beings & Mysterious things’
She studied at the Limerick School of Art & Design and achieved a first class Honours Bachelor's degree in Animation & Motion Design. Her love for illustration advanced into movement and brought characters and worlds to life through motion. She had her debut short animated film ‘Moncha’ be included in film festivals worldwide and went on to receive 6 nominations and 2 awards at the Dingle Animation Festival 2025.
If she’s not drawing…she’s thinking about what to create next. The time she spends away from her desk is spent with her dogs out on the hills and mountains or with her sisters. She feels that telling stories, the way we tell them, and the people we share them with is life itself.
THE PROCESS
EVERYTHING STARTS WITH AN IDEA…or a feeling. Most of my work starts as a scribble, a scribble in a book, the back of my copy, the bottom of an envelope, the back of a serviette. Anywhere doodleable. Ive always struggled to keep a sketchbook as I’ve found it hard not to fear ‘ruining’ it. But in the last few years, I have tried to keep better track of my drawings.
Now…if i like the idea enough or am curious enough to want to get to know the character or find out more about the potential story that is unravelling…I’ll keep adding to it, perhaps even redo it on some proper paper. Watercolours, inks and fineliners are my favorite. When I started studying animation i got introduced to digital painting, and it has become part of my process. I’ll scan the artwork and continue painting and adding colours digitally. Sometimes, I might even decide to animate it.
Printing… This is the most exciting part for me. And the scariest. The texture of the paper, the feel and the colours are very important to me. If it works, it’s the best feeling, however it is equally frustrating if it doesn’t feel just right. Finally, I return to my desk; I love to embellish the prints with fine-line pens, black, gold and white. Allow small details to stand out and redefine certain elements. It also allows each print to be unique. Lastly, they get signed and if lucky enough, get to go to a new home.
THIS WORLD…