"I love drawing couples. The naked couple back drawing is actually an illustration of me and my boyfriend. His hand on my butt is a sign of love.” - Helen B
Q1. Your characters always seem to be caught in a moment — mid-thought, mid-laugh, mid-life. Where do they come from?
A: I draw people in everyday, recognisable situations, sometimes funny, sometimes very real and serious. I find inspiration in daily life and the struggles people face. I like to add a humorous twist to these moments, using humour as a way to put things in perspective.
Q2. Your illustrations balance tenderness with rebellion, humour with honesty.
When you’re creating, how do you decide when a piece needs a wink and when it needs a heartbeat?
A: It really depends on the illustration and the message I want to convey. When it’s about female empowerment, I like to share a strong message: yes you can! But in other illustrations, the humour often lies in the details. I love it when people have to look twice to notice something subtle, and then smile when they do. Life can be tough enough as it is, so if my simple drawings can make people laugh, that makes me happy.
Q3. The rituals you capture — coffee, connection, quiet moments — feel like love letters to everyday life. What draws you to these small scenes, and what do they reveal about your own rhythm of living?
A: I’m someone who sees life in a positive way, my glass is always half full rather than half empty. I love the simple things, the small moments. That’s what I try to express in my drawings too: enjoy the little things, the simple yet beautiful moments.
Q4. There’s something cinematic in your simplicity, as if each line could begin a story. Do you ever imagine the worlds your characters might inhabit beyond the frame?
A: I draw the people I see, they already exist, I encounter them every day. The most recent series I made at the end of October 2025, is very autobiographical, reflecting the stage of life I’m in and one many others are in as well. So I draw real people in real, relatable situations.
Q5. Your illustrations show couples not in perfect poses, but in real, funny, intimate moments — drinking coffee, standing awkwardly close, just being human together. For Valentine’s Day, what draws you to this kind of romance?
A: In my drawings, I always try to capture a sense of reality. Even in romantic and loving moments, things can sometimes be awkward or funny and I think that’s exactly what makes them so relatable for everyone.
I love drawing couples. The naked couple back drawing is actually an illustration of me and my boyfriend. His hand on my butt is a sign of love. In that gesture, he shows that he’s there for me and that he has my back, no matter what happens. And of course, I also enjoy that he touches my butt, in a relationship, that can be a very loving and intimate gesture.
Q6. At Soroka, we curate objects that make life feel a little brighter and a little more artful.How do you see our worlds coming together, and what do you hope it brings to someone’s home when they take a piece of yours from our shelves?
A: I love it when people feel cheerful after seeing my drawings, or when they feel more motivated by the message behind them. I often hear that in the morning, people consciously choose a coffee mug with one of my illustrations on it because it makes them smile and that’s such a beautiful way to start the day. I’m really happy that my collection aligns so well with the message you aim to share through your store selection!
Discover Helen B at SOROKA LONDON
