I’ve recently come to know & love Scottish Illustrator (based in Brooklyn, NY) Katy Small. Her work is a vast inspiration for my self. She
illustrates the most lovely, dainty pieces. Her photo collaborations are
phenomenal and one of my favorite things she produces, along with her new
Bespoke Stationery that is absolutely novel.
I got a chance to know Katy on a deeper level through a
little Q & A and was excited to dig into where all this beauty and
creativity stems from. Here is a
little bit about this lovely soul.
Describe your childhood & where you grew up, how did it
attribute to where you are now in your creative profession? “I lived in Edinburgh, Scotland until I was ten; it is a small
and very beautiful city. I think that the winding, cobblestone streets and
rising gothic castle in the midst of the city crept in and cemented a lifelong
tendency towards the old and the melancholy. It is a special city because it is
very green, with lovely museums surrounded by the sea, woodland and beautiful
gardens. We moved to a little village in the Scottish Borders when I was ten
and lived in a ramshackle house surrounded by a wild, sprawling garden. There
was magical woodland, rivers, wildflowers and purple hills all around. Of
course, it was Scotland, so it was rainy and grey 90% of the time which meant a
lot of indoor time reading and playing make believe, too…I grew up with three little
brothers, so a lot of our time was spent playing make believe together; we were
always making dens, putting on plays and generally living in a world of our
imaginations. We would spend our weekends taking trips to museums and botanical
gardens; places that still inspire my work today.”
Is there anyone significant in your life that has
shaped you? “My mum is such a creative person,
and was always encouraging me to tell stories in my homework assignments, to
think in a magical way. My dad would take me to the ballet and music recitals
from a young age. They both encouraged me to draw, act in plays and learn the
piano.... all things that shaped my creativity. Growing up in a small village
also installed in me a very strong sense of ambition; to travel, to do great
things and to 'escape'.
I was never "good at art"
at school, and was going to study acting or English. My first love was the
school art star and he really opened me up to the possibility of art, to the
insatiable need to create. He took me to foreign movies, interesting
exhibitions and we would draw together. He stirred something in me that is
still growing. Also, when I was 16 I finally got an art teacher Mrs. McCann,
who told me I was good at drawing. I had never heard that before, and that was
the beginning of it all, really. A little love and support is like magic!”
What inspired you to be an illustrator? “So many things! The decision to study illustration,
specifically, really came from my desire to work with words and stories. It
seemed like a good way to combine my love of literature with my desire to draw.”
What inspires your illustrations? “So many things! I love the flicker of excitement right at
the beginning; the hazy outlines of inspiration that you can’t even squint to
see but feel so real and exhilarating. I love clutching to the coattails of
that feeling, starting to research & draw in a world that doesn’t quite
exist yet. It can come from a book, an exhibition, a movie or just the light
upon a bended bloom. I am forever inspired by the
representation of women; their portraits, their stories and the historic role
that florals play in the telling.”
How do you explain your artistic style? “Bittersweet,
dreamy, poetic. Stories told in layers of winding botanicals, paper petals and
regimented patterns. Studies of women whose wild, steely eyes flicker under the
groomed beauty of strict gardens. Untamed vines of paper hair cascade upon
ladylike lace. Fragile blooms clutch neat wildflowers and gaze from iron frames
unto the creeping wilderness...”
Are there any other things that you like to do
creatively, besides illustrating? “I enjoy
clothes and fashion, and assist my talented friend Ariel Dearie with floral
design. I collaborate with a lot of lovely people on different projects so end
up doing many different creative things from set design and styling to flower
arranging and window dressing. The variety is what I love about what I do.”
What was the main inspiration/thoughts behind your
new Bespoke Stationery? “I love when someone
comes to me with their own story, their own favorite flowers and colors and I
get to be part of designing something which is truly made for them. It is
lovely to feel like I can bring some joy, and help to make an event feel really
special. I have always loved pretty paper, letters and cards and I think that
receiving beautiful mementos in the mail is one of life's loveliest pleasures.
Wedding invites are the most popular request, but I also do personalized
holiday cards, thank you notes, custom portraits for gifts, event stationery....anything
on paper really!”
What do you hope your creations do for your
clients? "It really depends. If it is a wedding
invite I hope to honor a special moment and time and create a treasured memento,
if it is an illustration job I hope to bring a sense of grace and joy into
unexpected settings. In my personal work, I hope to stir a little emotion, to
suggest a story and, hopefully, to bring a little beauty into someone's day."
Truly // Sarah
