This week, my lovely friend Tori Elliott is going to tell us all about her work, and what inspires her :) Merry Christmas Tori!
1. Can you give us a little bit of your background?
I was always a bit of a messy painty arty little girl and I don’t think I’ve grown out of it really. I spent a lot of time sticking things together and giving them names. Then ferociously colour them in with crayons. I went to college for my Foundation course (and met you!) where my eyes were widened to so many options and forms of art, and I still don’t really know where I sit comfortably. I studied Illustration BA Hons at Falmouth University and graduated in 2010, and now I spend my days being a bit arty here and there.
2. Did anything in particular make you go into illustration?
I think I chose Illustration because it allows you to do so much. You can be more fine-arty, you can be very traditional or you can be different, and you can lean toward Graphic Design if you so wish. You can do as much as you like in a project, you can produce an entire book with skills in typography or you can solely produce the images. It feels very free. And it isn’t limited to books either.
3. What inspires you?
I spend an unhealthy amount of time on Etsy. I like to collect images in my favourites very much like a Mood Board, you can see mine
here. I like to appreciate what’s special about the image, why do I like it? I make a note of these points which enables me to apply them to my own practice. They’re usually the themes of subtle colours, textural difference, and a lot to do with sizes- I have a soft spot for things which don’t quite fit. I have stacks of sketchbooks with pictures ripped out of magazines that inspire me. Much of my work features nature and has an organic feel through pattern and texture; I like to take in the sights and scenes of Devon and the textures and pattern that nature provides us, particularly when out walking my big silly chocolate Labrador. I'm quite an observant person.
4. How do you work?
I find myself with fingers in many pies, I like to knit, stitch, paint and illustrate, print making, mark making and digital work. I like to throw a few together and my style is a bit mixed. I usually assemble my work digitally as I find it easier, but many of the layers are handmade. I made my own paper and textures, and source my own vintage fabrics.
5. What's your favourite medium to work with?
I still favour freehand embroidery, I just haven’t done much for a while! Papercut is also a big favourite of mine, however the company I use to lazer cut is back in Cornwall!
6. Which piece of work are you most proud of?
I think it’ll have to be the work I’ve done for Lou Rhodes from the band Lamb, a book called “The Phlunk”, which is looking at being published in early 2012! It’s about an amazing little cat that can hear everything you do! She approached me in 2010 and we’ve worked on it ever since, watch out for more details on that, check the website
here!7. What are you upto right now?
I’m learning to find myself again, this year I’ve moved out of home and then in with my boyfriend, so my head is still spinning! But I’ve got a nice little studio space at the back of the house, so hopefully much more to come. I’m looking at solo exhibition spaces for late 2012 and am currently working on a few wedding commissions, along with the second Phlunk book.
8. Anything else you think we should know?
Just my details, which are as follows! Thank you Lyzi!
Email: tori.elliott@gmail.com
Website.Blog.Shop.Facebook.