Melbourne Mood

Until the pandemic, Chloe Blythman drew in secret. In 2017, boredom had led her to starting an Instagram account called Clumsy Hands, where she displayed her work but kept her real name from her followers.

“When I moved to London, the studio I was working for noticed I had a knack for illustration, so encouraged me to bring it to project work,” says Chloe. During the lockdown and feeling homesick, Chloe began channelling more Melbourne influences into her work.

“When I moved home in 2022, I wanted to turn it into a business, so I did a creative residency with Frankie Ratford [of Designer’s Bootcamp] who helped turn my dreams into a reality.”

Clumsy Beginnings

As for the name she uses for her work, Chloe says she can’t remember why she chose it: “I think I just plucked it from thin air and thought, ‘That will do.’ Sorry, I feel like I disappoint so many people with that story!”

Although not everyone loves the name – “I recently had a stranger tell me it was a terrible business choice” – it has had other benefits.

“Having Clumsy Hands as my stage name has definitely given me the confidence to express my more cheeky and playful side to the world through my work,” Chloe says.

Mapped Out

Chloe’s Clumsy Hands work revolves around vibrant, cartoon-like maps, many of which depict Melbourne suburbs.

'I tend to draw places I have fond memories of versus just drawing every single town I possibly can. I started drawing maps to capture special memories of cities I have explored or lived in.'

As for her own heart, it lies in the northern suburbs of Thornbury and Northcote: “They were my stomping grounds when I moved back home, and they inspired the first Melbourne Clumsy Maps.”

Playing Favourites

It’s fair to say, Chloe loves food and fun and has some favourite places in Thornbury she frequents.

“Recently I have been obsessed with [Greek restaurant] Capers in Thornbury for dinner,” she says. “It's in my top 10 meals I have had in my life. It's so cosy on a cold night, and the vibes are always so joyful. 

“Thornbury Bowls Club might also be the happiest place on earth. I want all my major life events to happen there: wedding, funeral, next Saturday night. We adore heading down there on winter evenings for a boogie. Everyone is always up for the sesh, no matter their age or background.”

Winter Wonders

For Chloe, winter is about taking a step back. “I always try to be as cosy as possible in winter and slow down,” she says. “Like curling up in a cafe for the afternoon drawing – I love Tin Pot Cafe in Fitzroy North – visiting galleries like NGV or ACMI, grabbing a drink in bars with romantic lighting, eating way too much pasta at Waiters Restaurant, bumbling around the farmers market at Abbotsford Convent, going to pub trivia at the Royston or, my favourite, escaping the city to the Yarra Valley wineries then curling up in a cottage hidden in the forest with a bottle of shiraz.”

+ clumsyhands.com