Sri Lankan born, raised in Sri Lanka & Zambia, now living in Melbourne, Australia.
I’m Dilrukshi Mendis. I’m a whimsical illustrator unleashing absurd flights of fancy. This duality creates work that invites you to pause, feel and connect.
My Journey and Ethos
Ayubowan
In my culture, this greeting means “May you have the gift of long life.” It’s a wish — and a story — wrapped in a single word.
My creative journey has woven through two worlds: the structure and logic of banking & finance, and the instinctive, emotional sphere of art.
In my twenties, I stepped away from painting seriously — uncertain about whether art could be a “real” life choice. I pursued a successful corporate career across two continents, became a Chartered Accountant, CPA and a Banker. I’ve drawn and created all my life and in time I accepted and embraced the creative, imaginative and intuitive self that in many ways made my corporate career both possible and successful.
For a long time, I felt a disconnect with the art around as I couldn’t connect or feel it held space for me. Art can cross cultural divides and the idea of art being a vessel to create a sense of belonging is the driving force behind my two distinct yet deeply connected creative worlds – fine art and whimsical illustration.
Under my dog’s playful alter-ego, Pawlick Bones, imagination, whimsy and absurdity collide. Here, I illustrate detective dogs, curious cats, anthropomorphic sea creatures and magical scenes in prints, cards, tea towels, and printed gifts — art made to sprinkle joy and laughter into everyday life.
Be it bold or subtle, pedestrian or surreal, everything I create carries an invitation:
Ayubowan