I adored illustrations by one particular artist, Gemma Correll. Subsequently, I ended up purchasing a Gemma Correll notebook and stickers in another arty shop, The Red Door Gallery, in Edinburgh. It was then I discovered her website and blog. As you may have noticed a lot of us Fashion bloggers tend to love to talk about how great our outfits are and post pictures of it. (I am raising my hand guiltily). Gemma illustrates hers.
Gemma kindly took time to answer a few questions of mine. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I did asking them.How did you get started into illustrating?
I've been drawing forever. I knew that I wanted to be an illustrator from a very young age (before I knew the word "Illustration"). I used to collect old notebooks and then fill them with stories and drawings. I also published my first comic at primary school. It was called "The Chatterbox", cost 20p and had a free penny sweet taped to the cover. I had a brief lapse into teacher training aged 18, but ended up back at Art school, studying graphic design and Illustration.
Where do you get ideas from? Inspiration?
My inspiration comes from anywhere and everywhere... mostly the world around me; the people I see, animals, vintage children's books, places I go...
You do a lot of work with great stores like Lazy Oaf and Fredflare, how did they come about?
I met Gemma from Lazy Oaf after I graduated from college, I was making zines and took some into the Lazy Oaf shop (which was off Brick Lane at the time) to show her. Since then, we've kept in contact and she often asks me to be involved with Lazy Oaf exhibitions and projects, like the "Lazy Oaf's drawing club" exhibition. I bought some advertising space on the Fred Flare blog and got chatting to Keith, the creative director there. He's keen to get more illustration on the FF blog, so I ended up producing some E-cards for them and becoming a guest blogger.
Is there anyone you would like to collaborate with?There are lots of people I would love to collaborate with... Maxwell Loren Holyoke-Hirsch, Bubi Au Yeung and Erin Hanson (of Recovering Lazyholic) to name just a few (or three, to be exact).
You draw a lot of super cute pugs. Do you have one? Or any other pets for that matter?
No, I don't have any pets. I live in an apartment where pets aren't allowed. I don't think I can wait much longer before getting a pug though, I have become fully obsessed and I think it's detremental to my well-being. I'm considering a move to the USA next year, I'd definately get a pug there because there are lots of rescue centres dedicated to pugs!
If you weren't doing awesome illustrations what would you be doing?
I worked as a part-time Teaching Assistant for a couple of years after graduating, working with children with special needs. I enjoyed that, so I'd probably be doing something similar.
What would you describe your own style as?
My personal style or my illustration style? (BOTH)
Personal- I like vintage, washed out, battered things. My favourite colours are straight out of a Wes Anderson film, brown, turquoise and peach. I like tacky holiday souvenirs, 60s wrapping paper and religious kitsch. I'd like to wear a 50's sundress every day but since that's not practical, I generally go with a stripey t-shirt and jeans. Illustration- I find it hard to describe my own style so just quote what other people have said. Apparently it's "naîve, child-like, without being childish". Or "The perfect combination of ugly and cute"...
Thank you to Gemma for answering my questions. Now go swiftly to her website and check out her Pug Tote. It's totes awesome.
Thank you to Gemma for answering my questions. Now go swiftly to her website and check out her Pug Tote. It's totes awesome.
Peace y'all and have a SPOOOOOOKY weekend!Fi xx