Celebrating Connor’s Creative Milestone

 Connor began his journey with Happy Paws Happy Hearts (HPHH) in 2022, and since then we’ve had the delight of watching him grow as a young emerging artist, turning his creative passion and talent into something truly rewarding.

Last year (2024), Connor reached an exciting milestone when the Brisbane Illustrator Fair featured one of his illustrations as a comic strip in their Art Zine publication.

Connor set up at the Brisbane Illustrator Fair (2025)

Back then, Connor had shared, “I had always wanted to make a statement as an artist in society and this sort of achievement encourages me to continue to take every small step to success”. Connor also spoke of his hope to one day feature as an exhibiting artist at the Brisbane Illustrator Fair.

Just one year later, he achieved just that.

This year, Connor proudly attended the 2025 Brisbane Illustrator Fair as an artist, showcasing each of his original artworks.

When asked what this achievement meant to him, Connor replied, “It felt like I was finally starting to establish myself as an artist”.

The experience was more than just showcasing his work; it was an experience full of firsts.

From completing the online application to learning about business processes like invoices and public liability insurance. While Connor admitted to feeling overwhelmed, he took it all in his stride, not losing sight of the end goal—getting to showcase his artwork. “Suddenly, I was no longer a kid drawing pictures, I knew I had to sort this out like an adult”, he recalled.

Connor also experienced setting up exhibition stalls for the first time, learning the ins and outs of displaying artwork, money handling and also, sparking new connections.

One of Connor’s fond memories from the day was the opportunity to speak with other exhibiting artists, where he had the opportunity to exchange stories, and even received praise for the “Walt Disney influence” in his artwork, which made him proud.

“It felt like music to my ears,” he said, smiling. “It was such an incredible feeling to receive such lovely feedback from other artists who also had incredible work, and it made me feel more at home.”

One of Connor’s big inspirations in his illustrations comes from the ‘golden age cartoons’ such as Looney Tunes and Walt Disney. Connor also finds inspiration in everyday life and the little moments of humour around him—including his time at Happy Paws Happy Hearts. Always with his digital notebook at the ready, he captures these experiences to fuel his drawings on weekends or at home.

We asked Connor what’s next and which goals he is currently working towards. In the short-term, he’s already preparing for his next exhibition opportunity: the SSAM Christmas Art Market on 13 December held by Southside Art Market in Brisbane. Looking ahead, Connor hopes to bring together his love of illustration and his Graphic Design studies to open pathways toward a creative career in graphic design or animation.

We are so proud to see how far Connor has come over the last few years since he began at HPHH and what he has achieved both personally and professionally. Connor is just one of the many talented participants who are setting off on incredible journeys of independence—discovering their strengths, passions, and purpose along the way.

If you would like to check out Connor’s amazing artwork and follow his journey, you can follow him on Instagram at conartist_98.

A few of Connor’s recent Illustrations