Thanks to The Animals Of who joined us on the blog to give us an insight into their beautifully creative one of a kind work!
NMM - What do you make/design and what is your background?
I originally started training as a costume maker but found I was much
more excited by the fabrics than the sewing so I went to Leeds to study
textile design. Since then I have completed a Masters in Design at the
Manchester School of Art and interned with several exciting
designers/companies. During my Masters I started illustrating in a style
that I fell in love with, creating animal illustrations by building up
layers of photographed textures and watercolour paintings. The Animals
Of is my quirky little label that sells homewares and gifts adorned with
these quirky (some times a bit weird) illustrations.
I originally started training as a costume maker but found I was much
more excited by the fabrics than the sewing so I went to Leeds to study
textile design. Since then I have completed a Masters in Design at the
Manchester School of Art and interned with several exciting
designers/companies. During my Masters I started illustrating in a style
that I fell in love with, creating animal illustrations by building up
layers of photographed textures and watercolour paintings. The Animals
Of is my quirky little label that sells homewares and gifts adorned with
these quirky (some times a bit weird) illustrations.
NMM - Where are you based and could you describe a typical working day.
I live in a pretty village called Pulham St Mary. I work a couple of
days a week in a local bakery and the rest of my time I spend in my
studio. My perfect day is when I get to spend the entire day drawing
whilst listening to music and drinking my favourite herbal tea. Which at
the moment is peppermint and Liquorice. My working day is made much more
interesting when I am completing commission work. Recently I have been
creating giant canvases and delicate silk curtains.
I live in a pretty village called Pulham St Mary. I work a couple of
days a week in a local bakery and the rest of my time I spend in my
studio. My perfect day is when I get to spend the entire day drawing
whilst listening to music and drinking my favourite herbal tea. Which at
the moment is peppermint and Liquorice. My working day is made much more
interesting when I am completing commission work. Recently I have been
creating giant canvases and delicate silk curtains.
NMM - How long have you been making/designing/illustrating?
I decided to try make it as a self employed designer in January 2014. I
still have a long way to go on my journey but I have achieved a lot in
the last year.
NMM - What inspires your work?
ANIMALS… of course. Although my greatest passion is photographing
unusual textures and then using my graphics tablet (which is my baby) to
create my animal illustrations. If I go on holiday rather than pretty
pictures of the coast I am traipsing round derelict buildings or finding
decaying bits of wood to take pictures of. I love explaining to someone
how a certain animal has been created the feathers could of originally
been a photo of a brick wall or the fur some rusting metal.
I decided to try make it as a self employed designer in January 2014. I
still have a long way to go on my journey but I have achieved a lot in
the last year.
NMM - What inspires your work?
ANIMALS… of course. Although my greatest passion is photographing
unusual textures and then using my graphics tablet (which is my baby) to
create my animal illustrations. If I go on holiday rather than pretty
pictures of the coast I am traipsing round derelict buildings or finding
decaying bits of wood to take pictures of. I love explaining to someone
how a certain animal has been created the feathers could of originally
been a photo of a brick wall or the fur some rusting metal.
NMM - Which other designer makers do you admire?
Anyone who creates work that makes me giggle or look twice. I love
sparkly bright coloured things, pineapples, flamingos and unusual
fabrics.
Anyone who creates work that makes me giggle or look twice. I love
sparkly bright coloured things, pineapples, flamingos and unusual
fabrics.
NMM - What is it you like about trading at Norwich Makers Market?
I think the market is an exciting one and you could happily spend your
takings on all the other traders stalls. The Norwich Makers Market is
full of loveliness and I am so happy to be trading there this year.
I think the market is an exciting one and you could happily spend your
takings on all the other traders stalls. The Norwich Makers Market is
full of loveliness and I am so happy to be trading there this year.
NMM - Where else do you sell and how can people keep track of your work?
I have things for sale in the gift emporium in Norwich and Mouse Design
in Bungay. Everything else can be purchased on my website or Etsy store.
My Facebook page is the best place to see work in progress or my latest
news.
http://www.theanimalsof.co.uk
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TheAnimalsOf
https://www.facebook.com/theanimalsof
I have things for sale in the gift emporium in Norwich and Mouse Design
in Bungay. Everything else can be purchased on my website or Etsy store.
My Facebook page is the best place to see work in progress or my latest
news.
http://www.theanimalsof.co.uk
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/TheAnimalsOf
https://www.facebook.com/theanimalsof