Etsy shop find...a chat with Naomi Wilkinson

Todays etsy interview is with Bristol based illustrator Naomi Wilkinson.

You can buy her gorgeous illustrations in her etsy shop as art prints.

Sunbathers, tropical birds, jungle animals and mermaids are just a few of the things you can expect to find, so head on over and have a looksie.

But don't rush over there just yet...

Get to know the illustrator herself here first. Grab that cuppa!

1. Can you tell us a bit about you and your background... 

I'm from a little Victorian seaside town just outside of Bristol which was very pretty but quite dull. 
When I was 21 after a couple of years figuring out what area of art I wanted to work in whilst I worked in a pie shop I decided on studying illustration at UWE . 
I've always been into illustration and it seemed like the area of art/design which wasn't too limited. 
With Illustration you could work in any medium and illustration crosses paths with so many different areas of design ( fashion, animation, puppetry, comics, architectural, packaging design etc) which was really appealing to me.

2. Who are your design heroes and what inspires you?

I really love mid century designers and Illustrators like Alain Gree, Alexander Girard, Mary Blair and Nathalie Parain. 

I'm always really drawn to vintage graphic design and packaging design too.

3. Tell us about a typical day for you...

On a ''work day'' I get up early with my daughter and have breakfast and spend time with her till its time for her to go to my mums whilst I work. 

Then I make coffee, make lists ( I'm well into bullet journalling) put on a podcast/audio book and work on which ever brief i have on the go, eat lunch at my desk till its time to stop and make dinner, then we eat as a family and put Polly to bed and we either carry on working if we have lots of jobs or me and my partner sit and drink a beer and watch documentaries or a tv series like mad men until we realise one of us will have to get up at 6am with our little scamp.

4. Can you give us an insight into your creative process?

Well if i have time I like to let the brief stew a bit before getting stuck in as thats when you can have a eureka moment. 
Then I make very very rough (like seriously rough) sketches which are then made into clearer roughs, those are sent off to the client and once I have feedback I play around with colour palettes and then get stuck into creating the final.

5. Where do you work? Describe your studio/work area...

I work at a little yellow formica table in our bedroom.
I did try having a studio but it was gloomy and I like being able to come back to my desk without leaving the house.
It also means I have instant access to our fridge for snacks and the dog for cuddles.

6. What art do you have on your wall?

I don't have much as we live in a rented house but I don't have any of my own work on the walls as I'm too self critical.

7. In three words, describe your work...

I would say its joyful, simple and fun.

8. What’s the most rewarding thing about being a designer/illustrator?

I love the variety of work that comes my way and I enjoy my job so much that 80% of the time it just doesn't feel like work. 

There are down sides ( its quite solitary and not very steady) but I love most things about it. 

9. What makes you laugh?

My dog, my partner, my daughter and the Adam Buxton podcast 

(especially the most recent one with Louis Theroux)

10. What’s the most popular piece of artwork for sale in your etsy shop? 
And your personal favourite?

I think its the tiger and accordionist print which I actually did whilst I was in my final year at uni! 

My favourite is probably my menagerie print.

11. Top 5 favourite things in life...

Aside from the humans in my life I would say it is

1. My dog Lenny

2. David Bowie's music

3. Hot coffee

4. Cold beer 

5. Books

12. What are you working on currently? 
And any big plans for the coming year?

I'm working on a couple of editorial pieces, a  design which will be used in packaging and a  very exciting project which I don't want to talk about for fear of jinxing it!

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A big thanks to Naomi for sharing her world with us.

You can follow her here...

twitter | blog | instagram | website | etsy

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Wednesday giggles...

Happy hump day!

Nearly the weekend!

Have a giggle to celebrate... with a snippet of Anthro love.

(image above copyright of louise/ loveprintstudio blog)

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The little things...

Watching

A Walk in the Woods

Man Up

Listening

Ward Thomas - Cartwheels

Reading

A poem for every night of the year

(with a gorgeous cover illustration by Zanna of Papio Press)

Sharing

A little peek at our shiny new breakfast bar lights in the kitchen, double whoop whoop!

Loving

the beautiful colours in this wedding stationery by Papier

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Colour crush...

Loving this combo of soft pinks and blues with grey and teal tones...

(image credits clockwise from top left)

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

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Inspired by Anna Bond...

Anna Bond aka 'Mrs Rifle' obviously creates the most beautiful, distinctive illustrations and designs for Rifle Paper, the company which she founded back in 2009, and is Creative Director.

Unless you've literally been living under a rock for the past 7 years, you will no doubt have seen her gorgeous designs, but I'm still going to share some of my recent favourites, just because...

I mean, c'mon, loveliness such as this deserves to be shared right?

With apparel, art prints, wallpaper, tote bags, tattoos, recipe boxes, stationery and more, you can literally adorn every part of your world in the wonderful whimsical world of Rifle Paper!

 (all images used in this post are copyright of rifle paper co.)

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On my bookshelf...A River

'A River', written and illustrated by Marc Martin is a wonderful children's book about an imaginary journey through cities, jungles, farms and rainforests.

With minimal text, the gorgeous illustrations tell the story, and they do just that; rich colours and stunning foliage deep in the jungle, fish a plenty under the sea, abstract shapes, patterns and colour on the farm, right through to the vastness of the sea and a solitary, tiny bobbing boat. 

They say you shouldn't judge a book by its a cover, but on this occasion, and with a cover as lovely as this, I think it's ok!

'A River' is available to buy here and here.

(photos above taken by me for use on loveprintstudio blog,

illustrations copyright of Marc Martin)

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Monday motivation...

What better way to start the week...

(image above copyright of louise/loveprintstudio)

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Colour crush...

I'm holding on tight with both hands to any last little bits of summer we're getting.

Can you tell...

(image credits clockwise from top left)

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

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A sense of calm...

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

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Paper & Cloth at Premiere Vision...

Paper & Cloth are exhibiting at Premiere Vision this week.

The show opens its doors tomorrow!

Pop over to the see the blog post for more details.

(image above copyright of paper & cloth design studio)

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Weekend goals...

Happy weekend all!

(image above copyright of louise/loveprintstudio)

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Creative Quarters...Alice Dart / Alice Perry Designs

The next designer to be featured in Creative Quarters 

is Alice Dart of Alice Perry Designs...

Alice Dart is a Devon based Surface Pattern Designer with a love for pattern, illustration and stationery, working under her studio name Alice Perry Designs.

Alice has had a passion for surface pattern and illustration for as long as she can remember, as a child she would doodle, paint and draw so it's no surprise now as an adult she has developed and established her design business Alice Perry Designs. 

She has a BA (Hons) degree in Fashion and Design, this is where Alice began to specialise in her passion for surface pattern design. 

Alice then went on to develop her design skills completing the e-course ‘The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design’ further developing her illustrative, fun and colourful design signature, as well as completing Lilla Rogers e-course 'Make Art That Sells'.

Alice works from her studio in Devon, all of her designs are hand drawn with pencil and ink, she later incorporates colour digitally. 

This meticulous design process creates a striking illustrative design style to her work. Alice Perry Designs aims to offer beautiful, original prints and stationery which she sells on Not On The High Street. 

As well as designing her own collections she has also worked with larger companies such as UK Greetings designing wrapping paper and gift bags for clients such as Clintons.

Alice has also worked on several creative branding briefs, designing work for cocktail bars, bakeries, clothing companies and fish and chip shops. 

Alice offers businesses something different from the 'corporate look’ in her branding packages from creating logo’s to illustrations, menu designs and brand styling. 

Each branding project is made to be bespoke to suit the individual business requirements, enhancing their brand identity. 

Alice is really passionate about her design business and can’t wait to see what the future holds, she loves to collaborate with other designers and companies and looks forward to creating more stationery lines, working on exciting new branding briefs and any other creative project that may come her way.

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I hope you've enjoyed reading a little about Alice, 
and seeing a selection of her work.

To get in touch with her, please visit her website here for details.

If you missed the last Creative Quarters post featuring Frances Boyd, you can read it here.
And don't forget, if you'd like to be featured, 

please send examples of your work with links to website portfolios, 

and some info about you and your background, etc... 

to Louise at loveprintstudio@live.com 

Look forward to hearing from you!

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Midweek moodboard...

Berries, berries everywhere!

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

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Colour crush...

Ooh I'm loving these colours in todays post, yum!

Lovely blues and popping pinks and purples, with a hint of bright green just sneaking in.

(image credits clockwise from top left)

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

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Take Four...

A foodie 'Take Four' with a lovely mauve colour theme today...

top left - Summer berry ice-cream cake from Camille Styles

top right - Blackberries and lavender tart from Butiksofie 

bottom left - Mini ice-cream bundt cake from Dreierlei Liebelei

bottom right - Vegan chocolate lavender cupcakes from Wallflower girl

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Etsy shop finds...a chat with Laura Hughes!

Todays etsy interview is with super talented illustrator, Laura Hughes.

Laura is a busy bee indeed... not only is she the artist behind children's books, 'Daddy's Sandwich'  and 'Goodnight Tiger', amongst others, 

she's also one quarter of a collective artist studio, and still finds time to fulfil client briefs, curate art exhibitions and sell her designs in her etsy shop.

Pheweee, I'm exhausted just typing that!

Originally from Bath, and now based in London, Laura studied Illustration at Kingston University and graduated back in 2005.

Her work has been used by companies such as Bloomsbury, Woodmansterne and Waitrose.

Lauras etsy shop includes prints, greeting cards and original art, all available to buy and adorn your home.

Lets get to know her then shall we?

You know the drill...grab that cuppa!

1. Can you tell us a bit about you and your background...

I studied Illustration at Kingston University and graduated in 2005. 

After Uni, I found it difficult to break into the industry, so after 4 years of retail work I decided enough was enough and did a couple of part-time internships alongside my day job. 

Eventually I was offered a design position at The Bright Agency, which taught me a great deal about the commercial side of illustration. 

I left Bright about 5 years ago to purse freelance illustration full-time, and have never looked back.  

I’ve now had about 10 books published, including Daddy’s Sandwich – written by Pip Jones (Faber&Faber), and Good Night Tiger – written by Timothy Knapman (Little Tiger Press).

2. What books/ magazines are you currently reading/admiring/ perusing?

Children’s books are an endless source of inspiration and wonder for me and I love the current trend for more ‘arty’, interesting styles. 

I recently bought The Marvellous Fluffy Squishy Itty Bitty by Beatrice Alemagna, which is breathtakingly gorgeous and highly recommended.

I’m also currently reading a book by Kurt Vonnegut, who I love.

3. Who are your favourite illustrators and how do you stay inspired?

Though my work is very ‘illustrative’, I often look to painters and fine artists for inspiration.  

I think it's good for illustrators to look beyond their peers in order to keep their work looking fresh. 

Some of my current favourites include Emil Nolde, Anselm Kiefer and Peter Doig.

4. Tell us about a typical day for you...

I’ll usually start the day by answering a few emails and then head over to the studio to work on commissioned jobs. 

Generally speaking I’ll be working on one, perhaps two illustration projects at any given time. 

At present I’m finishing a book with publishers Bloomsbury, and another with Faber&Faber, both of which are keeping me very busy. 

I’ll do Etsy shop orders and admin around painting and drawing as it makes a nice change.

5. Can you give us an insight into your creative process?

I spend most of my working day on client briefs, so it's important to me that the items in my Etsy shop are mostly personal pieces and images I create for fun. 

I like to think that this gives them more of a spontaneous quality. 

Most of the illustrations start with an urge to draw a particular thing – I’ll make a few drawings of the subject, sometimes 2 or 3, sometimes even more! 

Then I scan the drawing or painting and clean it up on the computer. 

That’s pretty much it!

 6. Complete the following sentence...

    My happy place is.........

My overgrown garden! It’s a bit out of hand; especially the creeping ivy that’s taken over one corner, but it feels really magical. 

There’s even a bus stop amongst the undergrowth.

7. When did you open your etsy shop and what has been the most popular item during that time?

I opened my Etsy shop in 2008, mainly because I was getting a few inquiries regarding my prints and where they could be purchased. 

The most popular item has been the 500 Trees print, which I created for an exhibition I curated a few years ago. 

The actual painting is A2 size and really does contain 500 trees (by my counting at least).

 8. Where do you work? Describe your studio/work area...

I am one quarter of the collective ‘Studio Mama Wolf’. 

We’re 4 illustrators: Sandra Dieckmann, Sophie Gilmore, Jill Tytherleigh and myself, working from our shared studio and shop in Hackney, London. 

The space is really cute, with prints adorning the walls and lots of plants – it’s a home from home. 

Artists studios tend to be tucked away, or hidden from view so we wanted to create an environment where the public could see artwork in progress, ask a question or buy something directly from the maker.  

We’re on Instagram and Facebook if you’d like to see more: 

https://www.facebook.com/StudioMamaWolf/

@studiomamawolf

9. What’s the most rewarding thing about being a illustrator?

Seeing my work out there and in the world is definitely the best thing about being an illustrator. Whether it’s one of my books in a shop, or a customer sending a photo of one of my prints in their house, it’s always a lovely feeling.

 10. How would you describe your work?

Oh goodness! 

I find it very hard to categorise but other people have described my work as bright energetic and loose.

11. What's your guilty pleasure?

I make up a lot of songs about my cat.

12. Five best things in life...

Art

Music

Nature

Wine

Cats

Thank you so much to Laura for taking the time to be part of the etsy interviews!

You can follow her goings on here...

facebook | website | twitter | etsy | instagram

(all images used above copyright of Laura Hughes)

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