Interview Illustrator and Screen Printer Louise Wright

Today we extend our interview series with illustrator and screen printer Louise Wright from Derbyshire. We are proud to talk with Louise about her work, her education, what first sparked her creativity, local craft fairs & more.

So, who is Louise Wright and how does she fit into the creative world?

That’s me! I’m a 22 year old (for two more days) illustrator and screen printer based in Derbyshire. My passion is narrative and in each piece of my work I always try and work to a little story that pops into my mind as I plan which I hope some of shows through in the final image. My second passion is nature, which I’m sure you can tell from my portfolio… I just can’t help myself!

What first sparked your interest in the creative industries?

I’ve always been creative, I just haven’t always known what path to follow but I’ve certainly left a colourful trail behind me…Creative writing was my first love strangely enough, and then came fine art, theater design, photography, animation but my true love has to be illustration, it just took me a while to know that it even existed as something I could do! I do find though that I work at my best if I have a story in my head first.

What was your route through education to where you are today & who were your biggest inspirations and influences?

Well after studying theater design in Sixth Form (that feels so long ago now!) I knew that, that wasn’t quite right for me and to give me more time to make my mind up I then embarked onto an Art & Design course at college.

I had planned to specialise in photography but came across illustration in a taster session and couldn’t go back to anything else! It felt like I was doing it on a whim at the time but I’ve learnt to listen to my gut feelings since then because they are usually right.

I then moved away to Birmingham University to study Illustration for Narrative and here I am, still trying to find my way in the big wide world…so while I figure that out I’ve started doing local craft fairs to keep me going.

My inspiration comes from all over really, not just books but music and nature too.
Oliver Jeffers has always influenced me, in his writing and his illustration. Sara Fanelli I can’t help but be in awe of her work, and Elena Odriozola creates such beautiful pictures for childrens books, I could look at her work for hours…While I was in uni I bought a book called Illustration Play and that will always have a pride of place on my bookshelves.

Still finding your feet in the industry, what advice could you offer to graduates and students soon to leave university for the world of working in illustration?

Gosh, I’m still learning so much myself…Do your research on a place before sending things in, is there some-one you can address it too perhaps, and know that what your submitting in is right. It’s really tough to be rejected but whatever it was probably just wasn’t right for you, do allow yourself a night of sulking and eating chocolate all night, but then pick yourself up and move on Anything is possible!

What would constitute being a success as a designer in your career?

The way I see it when I illustrate my first children’s book I’ll have achieved my dream job and from there anything else is a bonus.

What are your plans for 2012 and beyond? Do you have any events coming up?

This year I’m focusing on my craft fairs and getting my work noticed within my local community, while secretly re-vamping my portfolio in the background. I’ll also be sending promo packs out to get my work noticed within the industry more and I would like to work solely for myself one day

I have a weekend craft fair at the old Methodist church in Matlock Bath July 21st & 22nd so if your local, come along!

Talk to us more about the work you’re doing with local craft fairs?

Well It’s a very recent thing but it helps keep me creating new things and it’s nice to hear firsthand what people like about my work.

I haven’t done much work within my local community unfortunately and I want to get more involved, so this way people can meet me face to face and have a natter while seeing for themselves in real life what I do. I’d much rather do that then use the internet to be honest. Plus two of the ones I’ve got lined up is all for charity so it makes it into an even nicer day knowing your helping someone by getting involved.