designer leah bartholomew

Beneath The Sun is the tale of a designer who has come full circle, and then some. Leah Bartholomew grew up in Northern NSW but moved to Melbourne to study. While there she also worked for Melbourne designer Beci Orpin, who became somewhat of a mentor. Now Leah has returned to her homeland and has set up a design business that uses her illustrations in a range of homewares and stationery which are produced locally and in an environmentally sensitive way.

Which five words best describe you? Cheerful, spontaneous, illogical, fun, determined.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I moved from Northern NSW to Melbourne after studying fine arts and after exploring the city for a year, did some screen printing and decided to do a Diploma in Graphic Arts at RMIT. I had been a fan of Beci Orpin's work for sometime and in my last year heard she was looking for an assistant. I was happy to just show her my folio, never believing I would actually get the job. She called me immediately and wanted to meet me. I worked with Beci for five years, she was the best mentor I could have asked for. Now I have done the full loop and returned to NSW where it all began to start my own business.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Not to put too much pressure on myself to have a "style" in my art-making. If you put yourself into your art/designs, the style will inevitably show itself. I feel like I've got about three different approaches to my art-making; in the end they seem to combine into the one.

What’s your proudest career achievement? Making my first solo show happen. "Where The Dry Leaves Fall" was a long time coming; it was a body of work I really needed to get out. It played on a lot of nostalgic feelings I was having about the place I grew up and how it was affecting the place I was in at the time. It was like every piece in the show was clearly set out in my mind; I just had to make them. I was so happy the night it opened: Melbourne delivered a perfectly warm night to suit the show. It was incredibly assuring to see all the red sold dots appearing on the walls, lots of people of all ages were feeling similar connections to their own childhood.

What’s been your best decision? To move back to the hills of the Tweed Valley and start Beneath The Sun. As much as I adore Melbourne, the time had come to return to the place my heart was with. Here I'm surrounded by the perfect elements to suit the label. After some tough times in Melbourne, it's been an incredibly rewarding and happy experience to set up my studio from home and make the things I love in a gorgeous surrounding. It feels like I'm in the right place.

Who inspires you? Such a long list of people and things! Artists like Geoff McFetridge, Marcus Oakley, Kirra Jamison, Marcus Walters, Sonic Youth, Kandinsky, Steven Harrington. My mum and her huge capacity of kindness. Humorous people.

What are you passionate about? The place I live. Shark documentaries. Well-designed houses. Colours. People and their idiosyncrasies.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? My Pop. He died when I was young and I would do anything to know him now. Since being back home I have spent a lot of time reconnecting with my dad, it would be great to hear about him through his dad. He was a really funny man with a lot of character, I think we would make great friends. Besides him, I would love to have met Margaret Olley for her free-spirited nature and her obsession for her art-making.

What dream do you still want to fulfil? Living in California and working with some of my favourite designers, taking regular trips down to South America.

What are you reading? Lots and lots of blogs, magazines and Graphis books. I'm not a big reader unless it's design books.

images courtesy of beneath the sun

illustrator caitlin shearer

The world of Caitlin Shearer is heavily informed by the 1950s. She celebrates its beauty and kitsch in her watercolours and illustrations, as well as textile design. She has worked for clients such as Frankie and Oyster. From September 9 she will be exhibiting at Terrarium Gallery in Wollongong.

Which five words best describe you? Driven, quiet, old-fashioned, curly, Nigella-Lawson-wannabe.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I feel my career has been a succession of small achievements which I'm building upon every year. Whilst still in high school I started trying to work as an illustrator by collaborating with small publications that I'd come across on the internet. As my skills improved and my aesthetic became more concrete I was provided with bigger and better opportunities and that has seemed to snowball. At the moment I'm still working to continuously evolve my style and perfect my drawing skills, as well as taking my art into different arenas such as textile design.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Use your heart when creating and try to cultivate a unique aesthetic which you can call your own.

What’s your proudest career achievement? Working on my own range of fabric designs and making garments from them during these past few months has been pretty incredible.

What’s been your best decision? To drop out of art school and pursue my dreams. (Stubborn since birth.)

Who inspires you? Sylvia Plath, Olympia Le Tan, Kate Bush, Andy Warhol, Aline Kominsky Crumb, Fran Drescher, Mulder and Scully.

What are you passionate about? Vintage clothing, my family, the golden age of Hollywood, dinner parties, sunsets.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Kate Bush! The most daring and influential woman to make music in years.

What dream do you still want to fulfil? I'd like to publish some picture books - some for children, some for adults - and set up my own fashion label.

What are you reading? Delta of Venus by Anais Nin

images courtesy of caitlin shearer; portrait kelsey ganna

designers lichen kemp & jitske wiersma

Lichen Kemp and Jitske Wiersma

Do children today still daydream? There's hope in the shape of Sunday Morning Designs. While the designs are the work of adults, the products can open eyes of all ages to an imaginary world. This is in part thanks to the illustrations of Dylan Martorell, who is the partner of one of the founders - Lichen Kemp. Together with fellow Melbourne creative Jitske Wiersma, she created Sunday Morning Designs in 2007.

Which five words best describe you? Colourful, illustrative, quirky, funny and hard-working.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? Jitske is from the Netherlands originally, and moved to Australia in 1999. She studied gold and silver smithing and printmaking then went into clothing design. Lichen has a background in art installations and curating exhibitions; she ran Outskirts Tshirt Gallery on Brunswick Street in Fitzroy. We met through mutual friends and stocking the same stores, and then worked together for a short stint at Lupa Clothing before deciding to go into business together.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Lunch is for wimps.
What’s your proudest career achievement? Stocking a store in Paris, France.
What’s been your best decision? Starting Sunday Morning Designs together.
Who inspires you? Our friends and family.
What are you passionate about? Art and architecture.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Buckminster Fuller.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? Designing our own house.
What are you reading? Roald Dahl and The Moth Podcasts.

images courtesy of sunday morning designs

illustrator james gulliver hancock

James Gulliver Hancock is an Australian illustrator who is currently living in Brooklyn, New York. He recently held a solo exhibition there - All the Buildings in New York, which is a side project that he's been working on alongside commissioned illustration work for magazines, book publishers and musicians. Before landing in New York he ran a gallery in Sydney for five years. Now he is represented by The Jacky Winter Group. Clients have included The New York Times, Nylon Magazine, Warner Music and Sony/BMG as well as Sydney Opera House and British Telecom.

James has a nice little story from his pre-school days when he refused to move on from the next activity after painting, "instead devising the most complex image I could think of at the time... a city of houses, including every detail, every person, and every spider web between every house. I still have the drawing".

Which five words best describe you? Messy, whimsical, obsessive, creative, well-dressed.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I've been working as an artist and designer for many years, and everything has contributed to my career growth, all the exhibitions, little jobs, friends I've made along the way... but I think my illustration carreer really took off thanks to my Melbourne agent, The Jacky Winter Group.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Be friendly, be a real person to people, then, most likely they'll enjoy collaborating with you and you'll make great things together.
What’s your proudest career achievement? Working with some of my favourite clients that have histories I idolised like Herman Miller. But recently I was super proud to have my first solo show in New York for my projects - All the Buildings in New York.
What’s been your best decision? To make stuff every day. And deciding when I was five to draw whenever possible.
Who inspires you? Most people and most things in the world. I love reading about science and philosophy and seeing where that takes me from thought to creativity. I'm also lucky to be surrounded by some of the world's top illustrators in my studio in the Pencil Factory, in Brooklyn, NY, who inspire me every day.
What are you passionate about? Making things, in any media, every day.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? I'd hang out with Hemingway in the south of France fishing in a linen suit whilst drinking wine and soda.
What dream do you still want to fulfill? Publish a monograph on my work
What are you reading? Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. It's a history of the destruction of the American Indians. It's a very different story to the Australian invasion, equally as tragic, horrific, and disappointing.

images courtesy of james gulliver hancock

ILLUSTRATOR CHRISTINA BANOS

At the start of the year graphic designer Christina Banos embarked on an illustration project. She called it Home Drawn, and has used Instagram as her publishing medium. The idea is simple yet smart - to draw the objects the Sydney-sider would love to have in her home. Because Christina works as a graphic designer at Real Living magazine, she comes across a great mix of classic designs and cool up-and-coming products. Not only does she have an endless stream of inspiration, but she gets to illustrate many elements on the magazine too. Most of the time Christina uses watercolours for her illustrations, and enjoys working with colour. In her spare time she has also been working on private commissions, which can be found on her website. To view Christina's answers in a larger format click on the text - they are two separate jpegs.

images courtesy of christina banos; portrait james turrell

ILLUSTRATOR KATY SMAIL

In most senses of the word Katy Smail is an illustrator. It is what she studied at college. It is how she applied herself in those first years after graduation, and it is also the mainstay of her output. Clients include NBC Universal, Macy’s, Converse and Ouch Clothing. But a lot has changed over the years too, and the line between Katy’s illustration and fine art work is not always so obvious. While she was born and raised in Scotland, and worked in London, today she lives in Brooklyn, New York. And while Katy continues to work as an illustrator on a range of projects - including magazine editorial, advertising, publishing and apparel design, as well as bespoke stationery - she is also increasingly dedicating time to her fine art practice. Her works are available via Buy Some Damn Art. You can follow Katy's progress via her blog Thistledown Spirits and on Instagram.

Which five words best describe you? Thoughtful, passionate, sensitive, strong-willed, conscientious.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I was a creative kid, very into singing, reading and putting on plays. I always drew, but only really fell in love with drawing and painting when I was around 16. It became an all-consuming passion when I realised this was something I could pursue, and I went on to Edinburgh College of Art for my degree. I decided to specialise in illustration because I love books, I love the interplay between words and pictures and I wanted to really learn the skill of visual communication. Whilst I love working in traditional forms of illustration, I was also so excited to play with the possibilities of illustration in new contexts. I liked the idea that illustration work could be a smaller and more accessible version of the fine art I was making. After college I worked really hard on unpaid illustration work, collaborating with lots of different people until I had built up a good network, and a portfolio of published work which helped me to find my agent (I am represented by Kate Ryan Inc. in NY). Signing with Kate Ryan was so validating for me. After years of waitressing and drawing for free, it was so encouraging to feel like they saw something worthwhile in me and my work. It definitely felt like a sign that I was on the right path. Nowadays my time is split pretty equally between illustration jobs and my own fine art practice. My day to day working life varies all the time; my projects meander from collaborating with photographers to pattern design to painting flowers and everything in-between. I love the variety.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? That time away from work is as important as time spent working. My natural inclination is to obsess and over work, and it has taken me a long time to learn that walking away from my studio to re-set the brain is essential to produce good work. My work and inspiration becomes very static if I am not taking the time to see new places, read, go to exhibitions, spend time with friends and family. Self care is important when you work for yourself because no one is going to tell you to take the day off because it is the weekend. 

What’s your proudest career achievement? I am really proud to say that being an artist is my job. I'm proud that I have never given up on my dream, despite the struggles. I am also really excited to be in the new volume of Taschen's Illustration Now!

What’s been your best decision? Going to Edinburgh College of Art instead of university. I did well in academic subjects at school and I came very close to studying English or history at university. I am so happy that I listened to my gut and went down the path that I was passionate about, not the obvious option which was safer. I had such a happy time at art school, made so many beautiful friends and it gave me the confidence to pursue my life in art.

Who inspires you? My amazing family and friends. I feel so fortunate to have such a close family, a mum who is my best friend, and to have so many magical friends all over the world. They give me the strength and love to do what I do, and are always there when I have doubts and fears. 

What are you passionate about? My family, my friends, New York City, my art, summer, travel, wildflowers and living a healthy and organic life.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? I would like to have one last conversation and a gin and tonic with my grandmother. 

What dream do you still want to fulfil? I would love to travel the world drawing wildflowers, culminating in an exhibition and beautiful book of paintings and drawings.

What are you reading? Far from the madding crowd by Thomas Hardy and Women who run with the wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes.

images courtesy of katy smail

stylist & illustrator abigail edwards

Abigail Edwards is a UK stylist who has recently released a range of wallpapers. It's all a hands-on process. She draws the designs herself (she's also an illustrator), and has them printed in Lancashire at one of the few remaining UK wallpaper printers. The technique they use helps maintain the detail of the illustrations. Abigail also works on many interior design projects too.

Which five words best describe you? Creative, shy, driven, sensitive, insomniac.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? After studying fine art in London and Paris I did internships at art galleries in New York and then decided I wanted to style interiors for magazines, so I returned to London and assisted various stylists and magazines before I began styling my own shoots. I was deputy decorating editor at Country Homes & Interiors magazine for a while before going freelance and I have been styling for various magazines and commercial clients ever since. I now also style and design interior spaces and recently designed my first wallpaper collection.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Nothing is worth losing sleep over, although I frequently fail to remember this!
What’s your proudest career achievement? My new wallpaper designs.
What’s been your best decision? To work for myself.
Who inspires you? Anyone who successfully balances running a creative business with a personal life.
What are you passionate about? Any project that I am currently working on, design, drawing, interiors, travel.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Oscar Wilde, Matthew Bourne, Tim Burton, The Brothers Grimm.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? I would really love to design a range of ceramics and also the interior of a café and one day I want to own a house in the country with a vegetable patch.
What are you reading? I have just finished reading Jar City by Arnaldur Indridason. I am very into Scandinavian crime at the moment and I am also reading the Henning Mankell Wallander books, only read the first three so far, so these will keep me going for a while.

images courtesy of abigail edwards

illustrator kerrie hess

Kerrie Hess is living many people's dream life. She was born in Melbourne but has worked in London as a graphic designer for The Independent newspaper magazines. During this time she was commissioned for illustration work, and now works for clients such as Chanel, Alexander McQueen and Vogue Australia. More recently she has moved to Paris, where she is currently based, with her husband and son. For pics of her Parisian apartment, which was featured in Madison magazine and shot by Carla Coulson (interviewed here) go here. Kerrie has also just released her first book - Shoestring Chic.

Which five words best describe you? Romantic, loyal, creative, eclectic, and positive.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I started working as a graphic designer in London for The Independent Newspaper magazines, and began to illustrate for them on the side. I realised that although I still love design, illustration was my real passion. More and more illustration work started to just trickle in from there, including Vogue Australia, which have been one of my best clients for the past 11 years! I feel so very lucky to be able to work as an illustrator full time and genuinely feel excited to get up in the morning for work.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Politeness and hard work can take you a long way.

What’s your proudest career achievement? Probably getting Shoestring Chic published. Especially as there were several rejection letters along the way! In the end I was so happy to have found a small publisher that really gave me creative license with the book which is a real luxury in the creative world. Client-wise, working for Chanel, and Christian Louboutin are obviously proud moments. And on a local front, I have adored working with Vogue on the Fashion's Night Out campaigns recently; as well as windows for Sambag and their new range of tote bags in partnership with The Australian Ballet.

What’s been your best decision? Having my son Marcel. He's nearly three now. And always manages to remind me to stay in the present moment rather than dwell on the past or even think too much about the future. I think creative people in particular have trouble staying in the present!

Who inspires you? My parents actually. They are such glass half full people that it's mad. Creatively, I am inspired by the likes of Grace Coddington for styling, Collette Dinnigan for dresses, Diane Von Furstenberg for an incredible career and Kelly Wearstler for homewares.

What are you passionate about? I'm passionate about simple things. Time with my son. Doing work that I feel proud of. Dark chocolate and raspberry tarts. Chatting as often as possible with my family. The perfect cashmere sweater. Crunchy 'traditional' baguettes and stealing a moment for a cup of tea on our tiny balcony to gaze over the rooftops. These things are really the initial thoughts behind Shoestring Chic. I love fashion and always try to buy less but buy better. But if I had to choose between a great holiday, or an expensive handbag, I would always take the holiday. Little luxuries and great experiences are my passion. Plus my wardrobe here in Paris is so damn small that I literally don't have room to buy anything that I don't really love!

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Alfred Hitchcock.

What dream do you still want to fulfil? I try to not make too many long-term lists. Otherwise I find myself thinking that 'I'll be happy when...' rather than just being happy right now. That said, I would like to polish my French and teach my son how to ride a bike. On the travel front, I am dying to get back to London and also visit New York while I am living on this side of the world. I always come back from New York feeling inspired.

What are you reading? I am an absolute book worm who is resisting kindle! I love turning actual pages and my favourite book haunt here in Paris is WH Smith in Concorde. (Which is one of only a couple of English language bookstores in the city.) I am currently reading French Lessons by Ellen Sussman. It's truly captivating. I also loved Heaven, Hell and Mademoiselle by H. C Carlton.

images courtesy of kerrie hess portrait carla coulson

illustrator leah duncan

Austin, Texas in the USA has a strong and vibrant creative community. It is where graphic designer Leah Duncan moved when she made the decision to pursue a career as an illustrator. That was in 2008 and since then she has taught herself to sew and create surface pattern design. She has also had her work licensed by Target, Urban Outfitters, Teroforma and Land of Nod.

Which five words best describe you? Passionate, silly, introverted, determined, and curious.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I'd always been interested in art, but it never seemed like a logical career path. I originally studied commercial printing in college which had nothing to do with art other than designing our own projects to print on commercial printing presses. We were graded on how well it was printed, not on how well it was designed, but I fell in love with design through the process and it's been my focus ever since. I got a job as a graphic designer after college and worked for an advertising firm, followed by a screen-printing company. The problem with those jobs was that there's only so much creativity involved in that sort of business and you ultimately have to answer to your client and your boss. I knew in order to fulfill my creative hunger I would need to be the one in charge, so when we moved to Austin four years ago I started my journey into art, illustration, sewing, pattern making, and small business.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Learning to say no. I've always been a people pleaser and it's gotten me in over my head on one too many occasions. I've learned that saying no is hard, but it leaves me open to projects that are better suited to my business and gives me time to spend with my friends and family, which to many small business owners is oftentimes a luxury.
What’s your proudest career achievement? Deciding to do this! And everything since then has been a dream come true.
What’s been your best decision? Besides deciding to do this, deciding to marry my husband and adopt my dog were equally as good.
Who inspires you? Everyone. I'm pretty much a sponge who is hopefully squeezing things out in my own voice.
What are you passionate about? Art, illustration, design, animal welfare, food, fitness, and my family.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Frida Kahlo. I just love her bold quirkiness.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? Living on and owning a farm. Starting a family.
What are you reading? Imagine by Jonah Lehrer. I find studies of creativity intriguing.

images courtesy of leah duncan; portrait paige newtown