Artist Grace dines out on her degree show creations

Graphic design and illustration student Grace Whelan is literally dining out on her degree show after selling some of her art to Liverpool restaurants!

The twentysomething illustrator from Derbyshire hit on the idea of drawing her favourite eateries after falling in love with Scouse Scran.

Her entire Graduate Show consisted of wonderful sketches of indie eateries from Lark Lane to Smithdown Lane and Bold Street.

And such was her success that some have been buying up the works to hang on the walls of their venues.

Michael Harrison, co-owner of Big Lola’s Taco Bar, said on Instagram: “We’re in love with this amazing watercolour of the Smithdown Shop by the very-talented Grace Whelan.”

Grace, who lists tattoos, cooking and coffee as her likes, said: “A lot of the other venues have got in touch including PressBros, Minna, Fritto, Ropes & Twines and Marat, so fingers crossed.

“What I really love about Liverpool is that there are so many independent cultural food venues offering a range of tastes and experiences - but also some of the places I have painted have the best coffee around!”  

Working part-time in a city café helped formulate the idea for her Degree Show, a public exhibition of their best work at the end of an art student's degree which ran in June at the university’s John Lennon Art & Design Building.

“I wanted to capture the beauty of mainly independent places so I started off with popular locations such as Lark Lane and Bold Street. I really wanted to include some of my favourite places to eat, like Fritto and Maray.”

Senior lecturer on the Graphic Design and Illustration BA course Celia Garside said: “A lot of our current students start selling their work while at university but this is a especially lovely story, not least because Grace can see her own work displayed in the places she loves around the city.”

Check out all of Grace's eaterie paintings on her Instagram.

And see more beautiful creations from the Class of 2023 Graphic Design and Illustration.