Hi, I’m Samira Rijnen — but you can call me Sam!
I am a passionate storyteller, weaving art with themes of climate change and pollution, in a fun, quirky way (who knew that could be possible, right?)
I’ve drawn animals since I can remember. After an unexpected but rich life path, I studied Concept Art for three years, learning the ins and outs of digital illustration and discovering my own voice along the way. Today, I try to mix that training with intuition, heart, and a deep love for the natural world.
I believe that storytelling can create real change. Through my work like Boris the Binny, I explore the idea that we can build a better future. That empathy, joy, and imagination can be tools for healing. That even small creatures (and small actions) matter.
I mostly illustrate digitally, often with bright colors and a soft, chalky texture that’s (kinda) become my signature. I also love watercolor painting when I step away from the screen. Whether I’m developing characters, crafting worlds, or drawing a portrait of someone’s beloved dog, I crave connection to it through the lines. The lines of Joy.
Outside of drawing, you’ll probably find me:
- Tending to my two fluffy Labradors, Eevee and Shanti, and cat, Roger (who insists on sitting right on my drawing tablet),
- Gaming on my Nintendo Switch (hello Stardew Valley, Animal Crossing, and of course, Pokemon),
- Hiking South Africa’s wild trails, or
- Gazing out the window of my workspace that overlooks our vegetable garden, where many of my children's book illustrations were born.
I currently live in South Africa, where I’m lucky to be surrounded by nature. But I know not everyone has that access — so my work is also about inviting people back into connection, wherever they are.
My Portfolio
This is where you can see the kind of work I do. It includes pages from my children’s book Boris the Binny, character designs (like Lottie the otter and other Binny designs), some interior drawings (Boris's room!), and other illustration work I’ve done over time.
Most of what I create is inspired by nature, animals, and storytelling — with a soft, slightly chalky style. I want my drawings to feel alive, and I care a lot about making things look good, while still having heart.
Whether it’s for books, characters, or something more unexpected, I always aim to bring a strong sense of design and purpose to my work.
Boris in Animation
As part of my final project, we were asked to step outside our comfort zones and try something new. I chose 2D animation — and over two and a half weeks, I brought Boris to life in a short animated film. I created it using Blender, and even composed the music myself. It was my first time animating, and I loved every moment of the challenge (my computer not so much).