DIY DOC’S: COURTNEY BURNAN
In DIY Docs, we’re taking a look at how illustrators, artists and designers put their stamp on our Dr. Martens products. Painting, tattooing, rhinestones or de-constructing – we’re giving them the creative freedom to express themselves off of the canvas.
Meet DIY Docs artist Courtney Burnan, fashion illustrator and Dr. Martens employee, who illustrated on our White Leather Backpack themed with her Girl Gang characters.
Introduce yourself – who are you, and what do you do?
I’m Courtney Burnan, I study Fashion Illustration at London College of Fashion. I also work at the Oxford Street Dr.Martens store. In my spare time I do illustration commissions and collaborations.
Who or what do you take inspiration from when you illustrate?
When I’m about to draw characters I trawl through Instagram, there’s such a diverse range people and trends. I’m always looking out for the bizarre and strange or images that go against the norm. I’ve always taken a lot of inspiration from Victorian Illustrators such as Arthur Rackham, and illustrations of the ethereal and beautiful.
Talk us through your customised Dr. Martens bag, was it a challenge?
I’d already customised a pair for the previous In My Docs blog post, so for this I went for the bag as it was a larger area to work with. I started by removing any coatings on the leather with acrylic nail varnish remover containing acetone. I then used Angelus leather paints for the designs, then coated the bag in a matte finisher to prevent any peeling or cracking. My inspiration was a fun pastel female empowerment theme, tongue in cheek cutesy but with an edge. The hardest part was getting used to the paint medium, it’s really different to anything I’ve used before; the slightest stroke can remove everything.
If you could draw anyone dead or alive, who would it be?
I would go back in time to 18th century France and draw the upper class. The amazing wigs, make up and clothing would make beautiful illustrations. Everything was so decadent then.
Tell us your favourite thing about the city you live in:
Anything’s acceptable in London. There are no limits to fashion, you could wear anything you wanted, no matter how bizarre, no one would bat an eyelid.
Do you have an illustration or project you’re most proud of?
I’ve just completed an illustrated story with the title ‘Swords and Sorcery in Alexander Mcqueen’. I absolutely loved this project because I wrote the story and it gave me full creative control to create a weird beautiful world.
What do you stand for?
Not taking myself too seriously and working hard.
Find out more about Courtney on her Instagram.
