The Drawing Arm is a curated illustration and visual storytelling studio representing contemporary artists with distinct creative perspectives. Founded in Australia and working internationally, we connect brands, agencies, publishers and spaces with artists whose work feels human, thoughtful and culturally resonant. We believe illustration still has the power to slow people down, create emotional connection and give brands a visual identity that feels genuinely original.

In a world increasingly shaped by automation and endless visual content, we champion artists with unmistakable points of view. Our role is part curator, part creative partner — thoughtfully matching projects with artists whose work brings depth, atmosphere and individuality to the stories being told.

For over a decade, The Drawing Arm has built relationships with artists across illustration, muralism and contemporary visual culture. Rather than representing volume, we focus on curation — building a roster of artists whose work carries emotional intelligence, artistic integrity and creative distinction.

Our clients

We have collaborated with a whole range of clients over the years. We’re as happy teaming up with advertising agencies and publishers as we are working directly with brands. Either way, we’re there to make sure the process runs smoothly and the end result is spot on.

Agencies & publishers Bauer Media Group / BMF / Born & Raised / Brisbane Marketing / Core, Cummins / Partners / DDB / Droga5 / Edge / Holler / Imagination / Give Art Science / M&C Saatchi / Max Media Lab / MJW Advertising / Ogilvy / One Green Bean / Leo Burnett / Naked / Niche Marketing Group / Havas Worldwide / Pedestrian TV / Penguin Random House / Play / Red Jelly / Spinach / Sunday Style Magazine / Tongue / Landor / Yen / Ward 6 / Whybin/TBWA / and more than 100 other globally recognised agency and media partners.

Brands we have commissioned artists for Apple / Blackmores / CC Amatil / Commonwealth Bank / Crown / Dan Murphy’s / David Jones / Deloitte / Destination NSW / Dilmah / Guvera / Havana Club / Holden / Hyundai / Jo Malone / Kellogg’s / La Mer / LG / Microsoft / Optus / Panasonic / Tequila Patron / Pfizer / Rockstar / Samsung / Stoneleigh / Telstra / Toyota / Triple J / Universal / Vodafone / Westfield / Woolworths / and many more brands in Australia and overseas.

Our team

Lara Allport
‍Boss Lady
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Lara’s enthusiasm and drive to support creative communities inspired her to start The National Grid and The Drawing Arm with co-founder Simon Barrett. The National Grid started off as an art gallery and is now a successful graphic design studio in its 18th year. 12 years ago saw the launch of the The Drawing Arm – an illustration agency that has helped nurture and represent some of the world’s top illustrators.

Lara has a passion for seeing clients receive the answers they are looking for with a brief/challenge, and loves nothing more than helping creative people thrive at what they do. Being an illustrator herself, she understands the difficulties artists must overcome when representing themselves and works tirelessly to connect the right brands with the perfect illustrator.
‍lara@thedrawingarm.com.au

Simon Barrett (retired)
Creative Director
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Simon, co-founder and owner of both The National Grid and The Drawing Arm, is very responsible for the initial illustrator partnerships that spawned several early art exhibitions showcasing the best in emerging illustrative artists. Simon has a knack for picking up-and-coming talent and he constantly keeps an eye peeled for unique new artists with special skills that can add a different style to The Drawing Arm talent pool. He’s also an experienced artist and illustrator, so he is a great asset when guiding artists down the more commercial illustration path.
‍simon@thedrawingarm.com.au