00_Art Source.qxp_49/51 01/12/2024 14:24 Page 1
Art Source
Amy-ing High Watching horror movies, visiting antique shops, collecting picture books, playing video games, listening to obscure lo-fi mixes and daydreaming about adopting a pup, are just some of the ways artist and illustrator Amy Hodkin spends her time when she is not in creative mode, all of which add to the colour and diversity of her designs. PG checks in with Yorkshire-based Amy to find out more about her creative journey.
“I’ve been excited by creativity for as long as I can remember as it has always provided me with a sense of escapism. When I was younger I went through various different creative hobbies including playing the violin for a few years until it felt uncool, creating graphics on the family computer after discovering Paintshop Pro and organising photoshoots for my blog that I updated regularly. I think I only had about five people read it including my family, but I did it out of joy! When I left school I went on to study Fashion and Clothing at college. My tutor knew how much I loved drawing and image making, so instead of going on to study fashion design at a higher level she recommended that I look into surface pattern design instead. I’m so grateful to her for pushing me in this direction, as I never would have known about it otherwise. Following an Art Foundation year, I went on to study Printed Textiles and Surface Pattern Design at Leeds Arts University. I can never fully express how much I loved this course and how inspiring it was to be a part of. The importance of drawing was instilled into me by the tutors from the very beginning and I never stopped. They taught me so many things that I can’t even list all of them: colour theory, trend research, and most importantly how to be a professional designer working in the creative industries. I feel lucky that throughout my childhood and time in education I was always encouraged to pursue a creative career, and it was instilled into me that there is a huge market for art and design in the world. Above right: Some festive magic from Amy. Middle right: Colour mixes have always been a strong point of Amy’s. Right: A quirky take on a traditional subject matter.
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Left: Although originally from the Midlands, Amy now lives and works from her studio in Yorkshire. Right: A fun approach to an occasions card design. Below right: Amy weaves text into many of her designs.
In 2019 I started my Masters in Illustration through Falmouth University. At the time I was struggling to find where I wanted to exist in the world as an artist, and it didn’t help that I was battling with my mental health too. I was trying to force myself into boxes that I thought I needed to fit into. By the end of the course I realised that staying true to myself was the key to happiness all along, and I embraced my love of drawing cute and colourful decorative artwork. I’m so thankful that I embraced my true self, because in 2022 I gained representation with my dream agency: Advocate Art! I think it’s true when they say draw what you love, as your passion really does shine through. This is when my career in art licensing really began, and I’m so grateful for the encouragement and opportunities it has given me so far. My champion agent Amanda really understands my style and my strengths, and she is always briefing me on a variety of greeting card projects which are my favourite to work on. I love being able to transform a blank page into something colourful, beautiful and unique. Currently I enjoy working on my iPad as it’s so easy to play with colour which is an integral part of my work. I still like to bring a hand-drawn feeling to my style so I tend to use textural digital brushes and mimic analogue techniques. I’m inspired by naive art, intricate ceramics, beautiful textiles, vintage picture books and the magic of nature. I feel like I’m only at the beginning of my long (and hopefully fruitful!) career in art licensing, but the best part about my job is not knowing what project will pop up in my inbox tomorrow – it can be so exciting! I’m looking forward to continually working with Advocate Art, and I will hopefully see my artwork on lots more products in the future.” l Amy Hodkin is represented by Advocate Art for licensing and commissions.
If you are an artist, photographer or verse writer and would like to be considered to appear in Art Source, please contact PG’s Jakki Brown on jakkib@max-publishing.co.uk. This is an editorial feature and as such is free of charge. PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 41