MEET THE ARTIST: HANNAH-MICHELLE
We’re breathing in the cuteness and breathing out the worries with illustrator, Hannah-Michelle. Our collaboration has brought her warming artworks to life across staple, summer silhouettes; perfect pieces for daydreaming the days away. We sat down to chat about all things illustrating, creating and remembering how to take a moment for yourself.
Hey Hannah-Michelle, what’s up?
I’m currently drinking a coffee and it’s sunny outside so I am pleased :-)
Tell us a little bit about yourself…
I’m a freelance illustrator and artist living in the North of England. My work is inspired by a strong sense of nostalgia as well as a love for vintage ephemera; all my illustrations are hand-drawn using a nib pen and ink. I would describe my illustration style as nostalgic, taking heavy influence from traditional printing techniques and drawing styles.
…and when you’re not creating, where can we find you?
You will usually find me either dusting my collectibles or playing the Sims 2.
As fellow lovers of memes and all things whimsical, this collaboration has felt like a long time coming – how have you found the process?
It’s been really exciting to see my designs be combined with the distinctive shapes and styles that Lazy Oaf is so well known for. As a one person band I’m often limited in what I can make – Lazy Oaf has really opened up my world by creating these fun pieces together.
Which piece from the collection are you most excited about?
I’m a maximalist at heart, so it has to be the Lazy Oaf X Hannah-Michelle Mash Up Top because it's so bright and full!
Your illustrations are unique yet relatable, how did you discover your style?
I’ve always been a really big collector so I spend a lot of time staring at, and tinkering with, all the things I’ve accumulated over the years. I try to spend as much time as possible really observing the things I like and asking myself what it is that I like about them. I think half the battle with drawing is deciding what you actually want a drawing to look like.
When creating your pieces does the text inspire the imagery or vice versa?
I wish I had a useful answer for this! It can be a bit chaotic. Sometimes one way, sometimes the other way. It just depends on whatever I’ve got noted down that day!
The words in your work often focus on taking a moment for yourself, what are your tips and tricks for switching off?
I’ve by no means mastered the art of switching off, but I try to tell myself nothing is as urgent as it can feel. I would say that I personally find physically removing myself away from my computer and sitting in another room helps. Also, making a list in my diary for the next day and then putting that away too. And playing a lot of video games.
Food features a lot in your work, so we have to ask, what is your favourite food?
Chips (fries) + ketchup
Looking over your journey as an illustrator, what’s one highlight and what’s one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned?
As corny as it sounds, the biggest highlight for me is when people tag me in something they bought from me, or even if they send a little message to say they like something. Illustrators spend a lot of time sitting at a desk talking to no one, so knowing that an illustration resonates with someone that can be on the other side of the world is really touching.
In terms of lessons, I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that progress isn’t always linear. One minute you can feel like you’ve taken 3 steps back, but things will come around again and possibility is around every corner. You never know when a nice email will plop into your inbox!
Your illustrations have been made into prints, clothes and stickers to name a few mediums! What’s next?
I’ve enjoyed bringing my other hobbies into my work; I’ve embroidered and collected stickers since I was a kid, so I’m trying to find ways to mix that all up with my illustration. I like to also play with materials I wouldn’t normally use to see what happens. Like making keychains out of polymer clay! I basically spend as much time tinkering as possible!!
One last question – what’s your favourite meme?
I’ve thought about this for a few days and it’s so incredibly hard to pick (lol). I do really like Hyraxes, I’ll always stop for the ‘awawa’ memes. Or perhaps the “this is who you are asking to work a 40 hour week btw” memes – I feel that one in my soul.
