Happy Trails: Welcome to Lalaland

Description

QUAD is thrilled to present the work of Carla Dee and her exhibition Happy Trails: Welcome to Lalaland in QUAD Gallery 2, which invites you into Carla Dee’s vibrant, joy-filled universe.

Rooted in doodles and brought to life digitally, her bold, playful illustrations celebrate positivity, imagination and the quirkiness in us all. Inspired by local life and pop culture, this interactive exhibition sparks smiles, encourages creativity, and offers a colourful escape into a world where anything is possible.

Artist bio:
Hi, I’m Carla Dee — a smiler, daydreamer and doodler from Derby. Or, more seriously, a digital illustrator, community artist and the proud creator of Love Lalaland, a colourful world where anything is possible.

My work celebrates positivity and individuality, inspired by my local surroundings and the people I love. Each piece begins as a doodle in my sketchbook, before coming to life digitally on my iPad with bold strokes, bright colours and a playful spirit.

A career highlight was being selected as one of 30 artists for the Derby Ram Trail — Derby’s first public sculpture trail with Wild in Art, which altogether raised £172,000 for Derby Museums’ Endowment Fund.

I regularly collaborate with charities, community groups and not-for-profits on creative commissions of all shapes and sizes — from sculptures and murals to underpasses and even wheelbarrows. I love a challenge and believe in using art to spread joy and spark imagination.

Artist Statement :
My work as a digital illustrator and community artist centres on themes of positivity, playfulness and individuality, exploring the boundless potential of imagination. Through vibrant digital illustrations created on the iPad with Adobe Fresco, I seek to build immersive, interactive experiences that bring smiles, spark joy and celebrate the quirkiness in everyone.

My inspiration stems from pop culture, Japanese Kawaii aesthetics, street art and the colourful energy of everyday life. These influences lead me to create pieces that uplift, connect and invite people into a world of happiness, positivity and creativity. I’m particularly drawn to bold colours, fluid lines and cartoon-like fun, a visual language that speaks to the child within us all.

In my creative process, everything begins with a doodle – spontaneous, perfectly imperfect and full of character. I work from my sketchbook in the Doodle Den studio before moving into the digital world, where I refine my artwork and add layers of vibrant detail. My use of digital tools allows me to scale my designs for any space, making them perfect for playful, large-scale installations and interactive exhibitions.

While my work invites personal interpretation, I aim to guide viewers on a positive pathway – an uplifting, interactive journey through a cartoon dreamworld. Deeply rooted in my Derbyshire/Nottinghamshire surroundings, my work connects local places and faces with fantastical elements to inspire joy, self-belief and community spirit.

As an artist, I’m continually growing currently exploring how interactive digital art can create shared experiences across generations. Ultimately, I hope my work encourages people to smile more, dream bigger and doodle freely. Love Lalaland is my mission: a rainbow-tastic celebration of life, love and the power of creativity to brighten the world.

Are you ready to explore the colourful world of Lalaland? 

This project is a joint commission and exhibition opportunity by LEVEL and QUAD.