55_Art Source.qxp_49/51 05/10/2024 13:25 Page 1
Art Source
Hooking Up Lucy Hook is a Yorkshire-based illustrator who trained in surface pattern design at Leeds Arts University. There she learned the skills to commercialise her passion for art and illustration, creating bright, fun, and quirky illustrations designed to bring sunshine to people’s lives, which since graduating five years ago have gone on to shine across many greeting card ranges. Here she shares her creative journey, inspirations and how she brings her ideas to life.
"From a young age I’ve always known I would become a creative. Not one to sit still, I was always busy making something, whether that be a paper collage or a hand-painted card for someone’s birthday. I always had ideas rushing around my head and found art was a great way to channel this creativity. My time at university is really where my creativity and love for the industry flourished. When I first visited Leeds Arts University - which at the time was called Leeds College of Art - I instantly fell in love with the light drenched studio, where I would go on to complete three of the best years of my life, working on exciting modules and live industry briefs. I really got a feel for how I could translate my love for art and design into a career I was really passionate about. Even though my studies were mainly based on pattern design, in the five years since graduating I have evolved into greeting card design, but still love to make pattern collections and imagine them on everything from cute kids’ clothing to funky party wear! Since graduating I’ve worked with some amazing brands, creating artwork for everything Right: Above: A love of nature comes out in Lucy’s work. Below: Just like this design she created, Lucy is always looking optimistically to the future. Below right: A love of baking often features in Lucy’s work.
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Above left: Lucy Hook aim is to create designs that bring a smile to everyone’s face. Above: Lucy’s adapts her style to suit the brief and occasion. Above right: Paper cuts, such as those by Matisse, is one of Lucy’s influences.
from cocktail menus and gin bottles to greeting cards and wrapping paper. At university I expressed my ideas a lot through paper cutting and was inspired by artists such as Matisse as well as contemporary artists such as Tracey English and Clover Robin. I’ve now evolved more into digital drawing on my iPad and I love to explore the endless textures you can create with such ease and little mess! When I’m not designing, you’ll probably find me in the kitchen baking, using my creative skills to decorate birthday cakes and trying out new exciting flavours. Over the past year I have been proudly represented by Advocate Art and feel I have really flourished with the help and guidance of their dedicated agents. I have had the time and space to really hone my commercial skills and have been lucky enough to license my greeting designs to some fabulous companies around the globe. Over the years I have found it so important to try out different styles and constantly experiment with new techniques. I have sometimes felt scared to try things due to a fear of failure or not liking the outcome, however sometimes my best ideas come out of a happy accident from trying something new. Through my work I hope to bring a smile to everyone's faces and make birthdays and special occasions that much more special." l Lucy Hook 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 55