Say "hello" to HelloWilson.

One aspect of blogging that I love is getting to meet (often in a virtual capacity) other bloggers and artists that I revere. One such individual is the Oxford, UK-based Rachel Wilson, the lovely artist behind HelloWilson. A freelance graphic designer/illustrator, Rachel has a penchant for intricate patterns and aquatic creatures. Oh, and she also has aspirations of being on “Mad Men.”

Well, I’m happy to report that not only was Rachel kind enough to consent to an interview for this here blog…she even offered up two giveaway items for my readers: a limited-edition, signed “Hector” print and a set of two of her completely covetable birthday cards (see pics below)! Awesome, huh?

Read on to learn more about Rachel, her creative process and which “Mad Men” character she admires. Oh, and be sure to pop on over to the HelloWilson web site, Etsy shop and blog to check out more work by this talented lady!

Meet Hector the goldfish...would you like to adopt him? This limited edition, signed giclee print is up for grabs!

At what age do you think you really got into creating art?
Well, from a young age I loved cutting and and sticking and making things. I took art and design right through school until 18. Even during my degree I was doing life drawing and ceramics classes in my spare time so I suppose I’ve always enjoyed being creative. However, I didn’t consider making a living from art and design until much, much later.

You have a degree in English literature from the University of Oxford, what inspired you to pursue design?
When it came to choosing a route in higher education I was torn between something academic and something more creative. The academic route won out and I loved doing my first degree, but didn’t find a career afterwards that I felt passionate about. While working at Oxford University Press after graduating I became steadily more jealous of the designers and decided that was what I really wanted to be doing. So I left and went to Kingston to study Communication Design.

Does your educational and publishing background have any influence on your work?
Not as much anymore. For a while I thought I had to make it count and that this was the thing that would make me stand out, but I don’t necessarily think it’s a good thing to over think design. Having said that, I would love to work more on book design and could really see my illustrative style working in that context.

Hector is a real golden child.

Many of your works are of aquatic creatures, why is that?
It was originally an octopus that inspired the patterns that feature in my illustrative work. Or at least, I had been thinking about experimenting with pattern and an octopus seemed like a good place to start. Sea creatures are just incredibly fun to draw and fascinating to look at! They lend themselves really well to surface pattern design.

What’s your creative process like?
Quite relaxed. Particularly for my illustrations. I tend to think of myself as a graphic designer first and foremost and so picking up a pen to draw illustrations is my way of getting away from my computer, unwinding and being my most creative. I try not to plan too much but just draw what feels right. If it goes wrong I start again.

How did it feel when you sold your first piece?
Amazed! I guess the first time you make some money from your work it makes it all real. It’s such a confidence boost everytime someone spends their hard earned money on your work. Particularly when you consider the sheer range of amazing work out there!

HelloWilson makes getting carded a pleasure! Win these two cards and treat your friends to some birthday love.

I’ve seen your work featured on several blogs and in numerous shops (Urban Outfitters and Society6, included), that must feel pretty awesome.
I can’t speak highly enough of Society6. It has provided such a great platform for my work and has really helped me to get noticed as well as provided a way to sell my work in mediums I might not necessarily have the capacity produce myself. If anyone hasn’t had a look at Society6 yet they should, it has a brilliant selection of work from some amazing people. Getting a phone call from Urban Outfitters to discuss the illustration I created for their print shop was definitely an exciting moment. What is always so great is how positive and supportive people are, particularly the online community. I find it hard to imagine starting out in a creative career without the Internet as a tool for networking, promotion, research, etc.

What music do you listen to in your studio?
It’s pretty much wall-to-wall BBC 6Music (a UK digital station) while I work. I love female singers song writers like Joni Mitchell, Regina Spektor, Laura Marling and PJ Harvey. As I’m getting married soon, I’m also having fun revisiting old favourites for the playlist! Stuff from my university days like the Strokes and the Coral that you can jump around to.

Geek chic.

Cupcake craving.

Who is your favorite Mad Men character and why?
Roger Sterling, he has all the best one liners. Although, if you’re asking whose wardrobe I’d want…maybe more Joanie’s than Roger’s!

My blog tends to have a fashion-oriented vibe. How would you describe your personal style?
Probably a bit more casual than I would like (a danger of being self employed!). I’m a bit in love with striped T-shirts, jeans and tan loafers. I tend to do my experimenting with jewelry rather than splashing out on very fashion-conscious clothes. In a perfect world I’d love to be able to pull off that effortless Parisian chic!

The über talented Rachel Wilson.

Giveaway details (read me, please):
There will be two winners…one will get the two cards and the other will get Hector! Now for the juicy stuff: you can enter twice. Leave a separate comment for each entry—as I’ll be using a random number generator based on the number of comments to select the winners—and be sure to leave me a way to contact you. Now, go forth and…

1. Become a fan of Bows & Sparrows on Facebook. If you’re already a fan on Facebook, just leave a comment telling me so.

2. Follow Hello Wilson and Bows and Sparrows on Twitter and share this giveaway in a tweet. Might I suggest something along the lines of:
“My fingers are crossed that I win this @hellowilson giveaway that @BowsandSparrows is hosting! http://bowsandsparrows.com/?p=3234″

This giveaway is open until Wednesday, June 8th at 12pm PST. The winner will be announced shortly after. This giveaway is open to readers around the globe. Good luck!

Congrats to giveaway winners Nicole Q., who won the Hello Wilson “Hector the Goldfish” print, and Katie (of I am Kaytea) who won the pair of b-day cards! Thanks to all who entered!