My name is Noelle and I’m the Sāmoan artist behind Ula&HerBrothers. When thinking of a name for my business, I wanted a name that reflected who I am and I am a mama first and foremost. Ula&HerBrothers is my little girl Ula and her 4 big brothers.
I am from Aukilani but now call Sydney home. I am a painter but for the last 5 years, I’ve worked primarily as a printmaker.
I pretty much started my business because I was tired of never finding the right greeting card that ‘spoke’ to me in stores. I’ve always made my own cards for birthdays, weddings and other special occasions, so I thought, why not try selling them? And thankfully people dig my work.
I make linocut prints, linocut printed cards, handbound books, wooden jewellery, textiles - a lot of stuff. And everything is handmade. I carve all my designs onto lino and carving blocks and handprint every single card, notebook cover - everything. My hands are perpetually stained with ink. I also carve business logo stamps, as well as stamps for your DIY projects.
It’s taken me a long time to feel comfortable calling myself an “artist” because it still sounds strange to my ears but hey, I guess I am. I am grateful to be making art that I love, specifically art that is reflective of my cultural identity as a Pasifika woman.