Etsy shop finds...a chat with Rebecca Jones!

Rebecca Jones is a super talented British designer and illustrator based in Melbourne, Australia.

I've been chatting with her this month as part of the etsy interview series, so you lovely readers can get to know her a little better.

Her artwork is absolutely gorgeous and the prints available in her shop would be great in children's rooms. They feature beautiful whimsical animal and girl characters so something for any age group.

Rebecca uses some lovely techniques in her work, typically starting off painting and doodling and finishing her artwork in photoshop.

We're very fortunate that Rebecca has sent over previews of two new prints that will be going in her shop soon; 'I love tea', and 'Its always tea time'.

Ooh I love a good exclusive!

So, very appropriately, get a cuppa, get comfy and read on about the lovely Rebecca Jones...

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

I grew up in England, and as a child I loved nothing more than being outside in the garden, chasing birds and butterflies.

Both of my grandmothers and my mum were very artistic, always making things.

So I think I knew from a young age that I wanted to do something creative for a living.

I studied for a degree in Textile Design and after graduating, I moved to London.

I worked as a designer for quite a few years, first as an in-house designer for John Lewis and then for a design studio, where I designed lots of embroidery, as well as print.

I moved to Australia in search of a bit of adventure 12 years ago now.

I have worked as a textile designer here ever since.

In the last few years I have become much more interested in illustration, and I started working on my folio to try and get more of this kind of work.

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

I have a subscription to Flow magazine,

which is such a beautiful and inspiring magazine to look through,

and I also love to read Frankie magazine.

3. Who are your design heroes and how do you stay inspired?

As much as I love looking on Instagram and Pinterest, to be honest it often leaves me feeling inadequate and stressed!

When I’m in need of inspiration, I like to go for long walks, just being outside helps.

I love to browse some of the lovely little design shops close to my home, go to the art supply shop, or go to visit a gallery.

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

As soon as I’ve finished school drop off, I grab a coffee from my local cafe on my way home. I’m really not good for anything much before I’ve had a coffee!

Once I’m back home in my studio, I answer a few emails, look at Pinterest for a bit before starting some work.

I don’t feel like I hit my creative stride until about midday, and then school pick up time comes around far too quickly.

Once dinner and the bedtime routine is all done, I normally go back to work in my studio again.

I feel my most creative late at night and I often work until the early hours of the morning. Though I often find myself regretting this decision to stay up so late when I’m struggling to get out of bed in the morning!

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

Once I’ve got an idea of what I want to work on, I might gather a few images from google and then I like to roughly sketch some ideas out on loose bits of paper.

I find sketchbooks too stressful!

It frees me up knowing I can just throw something away if it turns out horribly.

Then I might start drawing or painting depending on my mood.

I mostly use watercolour for painting, and dip pen and ink when I’m drawing.

I tend to paint or draw lots of little things separately and piece it all together in Photoshop.

6. What art do you have on your wall?

I have lots of different things I’ve bought over the years from Etsy - from Blanca Gomez, Matte Stephens and Helen Dardik and many, many others.

I also have some gorgeous screen prints from Lab Partners and Tom Frost.

My husband bought me an original piece by Australian artist Christina Gordon (JamFancy on Etsy) a few years ago that I just adore.

7. What's your guilty pleasure?

Sleeping in way too late on a Sunday, whilst my husband and son are out playing soccer.

8. What are your top three blogs?

I don’t read a huge amount of blogs these days, I find Instagram a bit easier for keeping in touch with things people are doing.

I do still often check The Design Files though, and I still love to look at Posie Gets Cozy, one of the first blogs I ever came across.

I think i’ve been reading her blog for about 10 years now.

9. What makes you laugh?

My son, he’s 7 and still has that crazy innocence and an absolutely infectious laugh.

I also love going to watch comedy shows, Melbourne has a big comedy festival every year that we always try to go to.

Amy Schumer, Ricky Gervais and Demetri Martin are some of my favourites.

10. Who are some of your favourite illustrators/designers and why?

I have so many favourite illustrators, but amongst my favourites are Richard Scarry, Mary Blair, Marc Boutavant, Alain Grée, and a new (to me) favourite is Christian Robinson - I love the simplicity and the joy that just shines through in his drawings.