Spending time in Berlin - Becoming Location Independent
Some of you maybe know that I have started to divide my time between London and Berlin. To be honest, it was never intentional. Life sometimes throws something crazy in your direction - like my husband having to work there.
At first I really struggled with it, but slowly I've started to see it for what it is - an opportunity. Being an illustrator means that you can work from anywhere. As long as you have a laptop, and wifi then you're sorted. Berlin is a great city and has an awesome reputation for being creative and having a well-defined illustration scene. I'm hoping that by spending one week a month out there I might meet some great people and find some new creative opporunities and inspiration.
If you're an illustrator based in Berlin say hello. It would be lovely to meet you and share some London-Berlin illustration experiences.
At first I really struggled with it, but slowly I've started to see it for what it is - an opportunity. Being an illustrator means that you can work from anywhere. As long as you have a laptop, and wifi then you're sorted. Berlin is a great city and has an awesome reputation for being creative and having a well-defined illustration scene. I'm hoping that by spending one week a month out there I might meet some great people and find some new creative opporunities and inspiration.
If you're an illustrator based in Berlin say hello. It would be lovely to meet you and share some London-Berlin illustration experiences.
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| My new desk in Berlin - homeworking for now. |
Inky Make-up Illustrations
I recently created a series of beautiful, linear and inky illustrations for the facebook page of make-up giant Liz Earle. I don't normally work in ink, so I was really pleased with how they turned out. I love the quality that you get with ink. They were used in a great little app on their facebook page, where you can try different make-up looks on different face-shapes.
About me
Willa Gebbie is a designer/ illustrator with an love for illustration and print and pattern.
She previously worked as a Research Scientist, but escaped the laboratory to follow her dream to spend her days being creative with pencil, ink and watercolour.
Now she lives in London, working from her studio in Islington and teaching yoga in her spare time. Willa is available for commissions, collaborations and freelance work.
This blog has now been closed, but you can follow her at:
Illustration Portfolio: www.willagebbie.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/willagebbie
Blog: willagebbie.wordpress.com/
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/pages/Willa-Gebbie-Illustration-Design/1…
Based in Islington, at Cobblelane studios:
www.cobblelanestudio.com/
She previously worked as a Research Scientist, but escaped the laboratory to follow her dream to spend her days being creative with pencil, ink and watercolour.
Now she lives in London, working from her studio in Islington and teaching yoga in her spare time. Willa is available for commissions, collaborations and freelance work.
This blog has now been closed, but you can follow her at:
Illustration Portfolio: www.willagebbie.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/willagebbie
Blog: willagebbie.wordpress.com/
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/pages/Willa-Gebbie-Illustration-Design/1…
Based in Islington, at Cobblelane studios:
www.cobblelanestudio.com/
Fashion Illustration
I did this quick fashion illustration between commissions. Thought I'd share it with you.
Recovering from my wedding and honeymoon
It’s been a whirlwind couple of months and I feel like I’m
only just starting to settle back into normality since my wedding and
honeymoon. We had such an incredible day! I can't describe just how incredible it feels to be surrounded by your friends and family in celebration. I highly recommend it!
Kevin and I were married in Scotland (of course) and we went for a full Scottish wedding. Think bagpipes, kilts, ceilidh dancing, readings of Burn's poetry and an ode to the haggis. We even got married in a castle!
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| Photo by Craig and Eva Sanders |
Afterwards, we were lucky enough to spend our honeymoon in Antigua. And it was just as beautiful as you could
imagine. I feel truly blessed.
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| This photo was taken by us - it really is this beautiful! |
And now, back with a bump. I've come straight back to work; working on my first full book. But I'm full of enthusiasm and have a huge smile plastered on my face.
x, Willa
Finally, here's my wedding invitations
Quite a few people have been asking to see my wedding invitations; since I designed them myself. So here they are.
Keeping it nice and simple, I simply went for florals. The theme stuck through my wedding. I used this same floral motif in my table settings, table numbers, table plan and thank you cards.
Keeping it nice and simple, I simply went for florals. The theme stuck through my wedding. I used this same floral motif in my table settings, table numbers, table plan and thank you cards.
Farewell Cobble Lane Studio
It is with a heavy heart that I am having to leave my art studio. I was at Cobble Lane Studio for almost a year and, during that time, I discovered how wonderful it is to have a shared creative space. My studio mates; Mike Hall, Zack McLaughlin, MESH137 and Claire Barrett are the loveliest people and I'll be sad to not have them in my life so much.
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| Cobble Lane's eponym |
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| My old desk at Cobble Lane |
And now, I'm back working from home (sigh). It's not so bad, because it's definitely temporary until I find a replacement studio. I will definitely be getting a studio space, as soon as my summer of weddings is over. It's worth every penny. Here's why:
Working from home sucks because:
- If I'm in the house on my own for an extended period of time I start to talk to myself and go a little bit crazy.
- There is not enough space in my house for all my "art stuff"
- I am currently working on my dining table..... which means I have to eat very close to my computer (potentially disasterous)
- I eat everything in the fridge.
- I never stop working
Having a studio means:
- I get to work with other illustrators, who share their stories and concerns and listen to mine
- I get to meet other exciting people and we all know that networking is good.
- I can separate life from work easily
- I am super productive in the studio
- My illustration tools can be laid out sensibly
- It makes me feel a little bit more professional
x, Willa
Handsome Frank - An Insider's Guide and #hftab
Last night I was at Handsome Frank presents "An Insider's Guide to Illustration".
It was a cool little event, hosted by Illustration Agents Handsome Frank and held at The Church of London's new event space, 71a. If you don't know The Church of London , they are the creative genius behind Little White Lies Magazine the beautifully illustrated movie magazine, amongst other fab publications. To be honest, I was even quite excited about seeing inside their offices.
The event had great insights from illustrators Tim McDonagh and Malika Favre and Art Director Paul Pensom,
And Creative Review Art Director Paul Pensom was there to give a really helpful top ten list of what to do to impress an art director. I definitely took away lots of great ideas.
While I was there, I also got to see Handsome Frank's first exhibition; Tweet-a-Brief - an exhibition inspired by creative briefs collected on Twitter, which was hanging in the same space as the talks. The exhibition was great!! Handsome Frank has the most incredible talent on its books. Totally worth seeing, so go visit before it finishes on July 22.
It was a cool little event, hosted by Illustration Agents Handsome Frank and held at The Church of London's new event space, 71a. If you don't know The Church of London , they are the creative genius behind Little White Lies Magazine the beautifully illustrated movie magazine, amongst other fab publications. To be honest, I was even quite excited about seeing inside their offices.
The event had great insights from illustrators Tim McDonagh and Malika Favre and Art Director Paul Pensom,
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| D&AD New Blood winner and Pick Me Up 2012 exhibitor Tim McDonagh talked about his working practice and what he has learned since he left University. |
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| The sublime illustrator, Malika Favre showed us a how her saucy work has developed over the years. |
And Creative Review Art Director Paul Pensom was there to give a really helpful top ten list of what to do to impress an art director. I definitely took away lots of great ideas.
While I was there, I also got to see Handsome Frank's first exhibition; Tweet-a-Brief - an exhibition inspired by creative briefs collected on Twitter, which was hanging in the same space as the talks. The exhibition was great!! Handsome Frank has the most incredible talent on its books. Totally worth seeing, so go visit before it finishes on July 22.
The Picture Show - A Summer Illustration Spectacular!
I popped by to see some friends at the opening night of The Picture Show exhibition (http://www.thepicshow.co.uk/) on Tuesday night. It was great to catch up with some illustration peeps, and some friends that were taking part in the show.
The Picture Show is a showcase of work from 10 illustrators, who met at the University of Westminster.
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| Chetan Kumar |
Artists:
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| Emma Cowley |
If you're in the Oxford Street area, pop by and have a look. The exhibition ends this Saturday, 21st July. It's at the Coningsbury Gallery (near Goodge Street).
New Designers - Highlights
Last week I went along to the New Designers at he Angel Business Design Centre, to see what illustration, design and textile graduates were doing. There are so many talented people out there and it was great to see a real mix of styles from graphic novels to children's illustration. It was really inspiring.
Here's some of my own personal highlights:
Annelin Fagernes' Illustration
Annelin's loose lines and free watercolours are beautiful. I especially loved her book "The A-Z of unusual phobias". It was fun and colourful and full of illustrated loveliness.
Rosy Higgen's (feminist?) graphic novels
These beautiful comics were so beautiful and Rosy is obviously very talented. I fell in love with this comic even more because they talked about feminist issues; graphic novels for a new generation.
Emma Cowlam's hand stitched fashion illustrations
Technically, Emma was part of the exhibition as a graduate "one year
on", and of course I have seen her work in a number of blogs. I love
her work, and it was motivating to see how much she has achieved in one
year.
As well as exhibiting and selling her work privately, Emma's client list
includes Elle, Country Homes and Interiors and the V&A Museum.
The Blood Bag Project
This great project was been set up Leigh Bowser, to raise awareness of
the rare blood condition Diamond Blackfan Anaemia after her niece was
diagnosed. This important cause asks people to take part in a craft
exhibition by "donating" a crafted blood bag. Strangely beautiful, I'm
hoping to craft something, and encourage other people to take part too.
Here's some of my own personal highlights:
Annelin Fagernes' Illustration
Annelin's loose lines and free watercolours are beautiful. I especially loved her book "The A-Z of unusual phobias". It was fun and colourful and full of illustrated loveliness.
Rosy Higgen's (feminist?) graphic novels
These beautiful comics were so beautiful and Rosy is obviously very talented. I fell in love with this comic even more because they talked about feminist issues; graphic novels for a new generation.
Emma Cowlam's hand stitched fashion illustrations
Technically, Emma was part of the exhibition as a graduate "one year
on", and of course I have seen her work in a number of blogs. I love
her work, and it was motivating to see how much she has achieved in one
year.
As well as exhibiting and selling her work privately, Emma's client list
includes Elle, Country Homes and Interiors and the V&A Museum.
The Blood Bag Project
This great project was been set up Leigh Bowser, to raise awareness of
the rare blood condition Diamond Blackfan Anaemia after her niece was
diagnosed. This important cause asks people to take part in a craft
exhibition by "donating" a crafted blood bag. Strangely beautiful, I'm
hoping to craft something, and encourage other people to take part too.
Links
Places to find me:
My website
Etsy
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
People I have worked with
Amelia's Magazine
Slink Magazine
Darling Fashion
Lilly Wiggler
Necklush
Yoga and Home
Inspirational blogs and people
Lisa Stannard - Beautiful, soft and floaty fashion illustration and print
Francesca Waddell - Brilliant, clean, sophisticated fashion illustration
Fifi Lapin - the cutest best dressed rabbit out!
Garance Dore - The epitome of classic French style illustrated
I love Illustration - perfect place for illustration inspiration
Kelly Smith - pencil / watercolour / fashion perfection
David Downton - The prince of fashion illustration
Rene Gruau - The prince of fashion illustration
Laura Laine - Shape and swirling pencil
My website
Etsy
People I have worked with
Amelia's Magazine
Slink Magazine
Darling Fashion
Lilly Wiggler
Necklush
Yoga and Home
Inspirational blogs and people
Lisa Stannard - Beautiful, soft and floaty fashion illustration and print
Francesca Waddell - Brilliant, clean, sophisticated fashion illustration
Fifi Lapin - the cutest best dressed rabbit out!
Garance Dore - The epitome of classic French style illustrated
I love Illustration - perfect place for illustration inspiration
Kelly Smith - pencil / watercolour / fashion perfection
David Downton - The prince of fashion illustration
Rene Gruau - The prince of fashion illustration
Laura Laine - Shape and swirling pencil
Home
