Entering the Yoodle-verse

I have always been fascinated by the power the world of art holds.

When I was younger, I would tuck myself in my room with a sketching pad and a set of pencils and let my creativity run wild. To others, the pieces I created may have looked like childish doodles or a mishmash of colour. But, to me, these drawings expressed emotion and individuality.

Since then, I have become captivated by the meaning behind art and the journey each artist has pursued.

Last year, I had the opportunity to talk to local artist Tori Woolley after the success of their first- ever solo exhibition, ‘Yoodles’, which took place in the Upstairs venue above Moosey Gallery in Norwich.

Since then, Tori has painted a hare sculpture for the Ipswich Art Trail 2025, exhibited their work at the Rougham Estate Christmas market, designed a sculpture for the GoGo Safari trail and created many more incredible pieces from the Yoodle-verse!

After an inspirational year, I recently had the opportunity to catch up with Tori after their recent Yoodles exhibition, ‘Breaking the 4th Wall’, to discover the inspiration behind their art, how they overcome creative blocks and their plans for the future!

How are you feeling after your recent Yoodles exhibition, 'Breaking the 4th Wall'?

I’m still buzzing from my Yoodles exhibition ‘Breaking the 4th Wall’! Seeing the new collection on show, and reflecting back on my very first solo exhibition last year, I can really see the progression in my artwork and how it has evolved. But more than that, I can see how I’ve grown as an artist — finding the confidence to stand proudly with my art and share the positive stories behind each Yoodle.

Where did the inspiration behind Yoodles come from?

The Yoodles first appeared to me during my time at university. One day in the print room, I began sketching simple shapes, and those shapes gradually evolved into quirky characters. I became so absorbed that I lost all track of time, feeling a rare sense of calm, as my mind wandered and reimagined each line into something new.

I will always treasure that moment. It was when I realised the Yoodles were more than just drawings — they were an art form that gave me a voice. Through them, I found a way to explore the depths of my imagination, while also creating a space to cope with and process my mental health challenges. That is now know as the Yoodle-verse.

How do you incorporate themes or messages into your art?

The positive messages and story behind my Yoodles remains throughout every piece. Staying true to the Origins of their journey.

The Yoodles have helped me manage my mental health and continue to be a creative process that inspires me and has uplifted others. When I merge themes into the Yoodles, it evolves around the feeling of nostalgia we get from our childhood memories, and the connection we share through them. We all see and experience something different. I want the Yoodles to give that feeling of immersive space, that reawakens that childhood imagination.

Is there one piece of art you are most proud of?

One piece of Yoodles art I feel most proud of is hung in my studio. It was the very first sketch I ever did of my Yoodles, where these characters emerged off the page from shapes and doodles. It was a moment where everything felt calm and the I was in my own world where my imagination was free to create. I never gave the piece itself a title, but the characters themselves, which came to be called 'Yoodles' and from there their story and my art journey has grown together.

What importance does colour hold in your work?

Colour has a way of breathing life and energy into my Yoodles work, transforming a blank canvas into something inviting and vibrant.

I like to test out swatches of paint in my sketchbook, to create a harmony of rich and subtle tones.

I find colour to hold a way to evoke emotion, and memories, something that connects us but is also unique in how we experience it.

In contrast, I do find comfort in the simplicity of black outline on canvas, which could be the illustrator in me focusing more on the simple shapes that make my Yoodles characters allowing people to immerse themselves and be in that relaxing mindset I feel when imagining them on paper.

How did you get involved with the GoGo Safari trail (and what was the inspiration behind 'Head in the Clouds'?)

Since 2020, when I created my first sculpture, I’ve loved being part of Wild in Art trails.

There’s something so special about seeing my work transformed onto a large-scale sculpture — knowing it not only brings joy to the community but also helps raise funds for charity.

Norwich feels like a second home to me, so the moment I heard about the GoGoSafari trail, I jumped straight into designing a Yoodles-inspired piece. I chose the giraffe for its bold, distinctive patterns and immediately re-imagined it through a Yoodles lens — alive with vibrant characters and playful details that invite people to explore its world.

My sculpture, ‘Head in the Clouds’, takes its name from the giraffe’s long neck forever stretching toward the sky, but it also reflects the essence of the Yoodles themselves — born out of spontaneous moments of imagination.

How do you overcome creative blocks?

Most days you’ll find me in the studio, painting and imagining new Yoodles designs. But stepping outside for a change of scenery— whether it’s a short walk or a full day out doing something I enjoy— helps refresh my mind. I always keep a mini sketchbook in my bag, ready to capture any spark of inspiration to bring back into the studio.

Who would you love to collaborate with on a piece of art?

There are a number of people I’d love the chance to collaborate with, but one artist who stands out for me is ‘Takashi Murakami’.

His exploration of superflat theory and his bold use of pop culture have always fascinated me.

I often imagine how the Yoodle-verse could intertwine with his world — combining our approaches to create an entirely new space of characters, patterns, and perspectives.

The thought of that kind of collaboration, one that invites people into a vibrant and distinctive universe, is something I find deeply inspiring.

What advice would you give to any aspiring artists?

Keep everything you create — every sketch, doodle, or note on a scrap of paper. Even if it doesn’t feel like your best work, it might hold the seed of an idea that inspires your future art or becomes the turning point that helps you discover your style. I’ve had plenty of sketches that felt unfinished or unsatisfying at the time. But if I had thrown away the very first sketch of my Yoodles, I may never have found the process that now brings me the most ease and creative freedom. Every mark you make has value. Trust it.

Do you have any long-term goals?

Hosting my first solo exhibition of Yoodles Art was a big step for me — which has given me confidence to pursue new goals: Collaborating with artists I admire, or even putting on a large-scale London show that brings people together and immerses them in a world of imagination. I’ve always been in awe of prints and patterns, especially in clothing. Fashion feels like a language of self-expression, a way of showing who you are without words.

Envisioning a Yoodles-inspired collection that uplifts people — and getting to collaborate with brands who share the goal of inspiring confidence — would be a dream come true.

To keep up to date with the incredible work of Tori, head to their Instagram (@thepinkhareuk)!