Thanks to Fiona Gowen who will be at Norwich Market on September 3rd who kindly gave us an insight into her background and working process.
What do you make/design and what is your background?
I studied illustration at Falmouth College of Art. After graduating, I spent 5-6 years working in London as a designer in children’s publishing and in a design studio. I went freelance full time in 2012. At the moment you can mostly find me drawing maps and illustrating children’s art and craft books.
I studied illustration at Falmouth College of Art. After graduating, I spent 5-6 years working in London as a designer in children’s publishing and in a design studio. I went freelance full time in 2012. At the moment you can mostly find me drawing maps and illustrating children’s art and craft books.
Where are you based and could you describe a typical working day.
I am based in Norwich, and spend my days designing and illustrating from my little home studio. Usually, I start my day with a walk, followed by coffee, checking and replying to emails and social media, before getting stuck into work (and more coffee). A lot of my work is for clients, so it can be fairly varied.
Any break from client work is usually filled with me designing and illustrating new products and prints to sell in my own shop at fairs.
I am based in Norwich, and spend my days designing and illustrating from my little home studio. Usually, I start my day with a walk, followed by coffee, checking and replying to emails and social media, before getting stuck into work (and more coffee). A lot of my work is for clients, so it can be fairly varied.
Any break from client work is usually filled with me designing and illustrating new products and prints to sell in my own shop at fairs.
How long have you been making/designing/illustrating etc?
I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t obsessed with making/drawing/designing things. I’ve had my online shop open since 2010 and over the years, it’s become more integrated into my illustration and design work.
I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t obsessed with making/drawing/designing things. I’ve had my online shop open since 2010 and over the years, it’s become more integrated into my illustration and design work.
What inspires your work?
My work is mostly inspired by maps, architecture, landscape, nature, the world that surrounds us, and the way people live. Bright colours feature heavily in my work. I love looking through children’s books and seeing the variety of illustration styles around today. I’m also a little obsessed with maps, and can’t resist collecting them from wherever I go.
My work is mostly inspired by maps, architecture, landscape, nature, the world that surrounds us, and the way people live. Bright colours feature heavily in my work. I love looking through children’s books and seeing the variety of illustration styles around today. I’m also a little obsessed with maps, and can’t resist collecting them from wherever I go.
Which other designers, makers, artists etc do you admire?
I love the illustration work of Shaun Tan, Ralph Steadman, Remedios Varo, Quentin Blake and Paul Kidby.
I love the illustration work of Shaun Tan, Ralph Steadman, Remedios Varo, Quentin Blake and Paul Kidby.
What is it you like about Norwich Makers Market?
There’s such a good feeling to Norwich Makers Market. The vendors are always well chosen, they are all friendly and passionate about what they do. The market attracts a fab crowd of interesting folk.
There’s such a good feeling to Norwich Makers Market. The vendors are always well chosen, they are all friendly and passionate about what they do. The market attracts a fab crowd of interesting folk.
Where else do you sell and how can people keep track of your work?
I have an etsy page that I often update with new designs. I also have a selection of prints in the Norwich Gift Emporium. You can keep updated via my Instagram, twitter or FB pages as well as on my website.
Etsy: FionaGowen.etsy.com
Instagram/Twitter: @FionaGDraws
FB: https://www.facebook.com/FionaGDraws/
Website: www.fionagowen.co.uk
I have an etsy page that I often update with new designs. I also have a selection of prints in the Norwich Gift Emporium. You can keep updated via my Instagram, twitter or FB pages as well as on my website.
Etsy: FionaGowen.etsy.com
Instagram/Twitter: @FionaGDraws
FB: https://www.facebook.com/FionaGDraws/
Website: www.fionagowen.co.uk