Hi Laura who are you and what do you do?
With Hugs and Kisses sells handmade babies and children's and gifts. Many of which can be personalised.
What inspires you in your work?
My work is inspired by everyday events, a walk in the woods, a trip to the park.. I love nature and animals so these feature heavily in my work and are probably my biggest inspiration..
Why do you do what you do?
I do what i do because I love creating. I love to see the process of how something as simply as a few materials can create something beautiful and unique.
What’s your background?
After studying textile design at college I worked as a freelance textile designer. After a few years I then got a job designing greeting cards, which I loved. After my son was born, I was looking for unique toys for him and found I was unable to find anything. which is when I started making my own and with Hugs and Kisses came about.
How has your practice changed over time?
I began by making baby shoes and finger puppets. Gradually over time I have added new products and now produce a range of items for baby's and children.
What art do you most identify with?
I love children's art and illustrations. I love the bright colours and the sense of fun it has to it.
What work do you most enjoying doing?
I love to sew and paint and at the moment I am really enjoying combining these two techniques.
What themes do you pursue?
I love nature and animals. Much of my work is inspired by nature and animals. I also really like pattern and texture.
What’s your favourite art work?
I love the whimsical style of Stewart Moskowitz. His use of colour and themes is something that greatly appeals to me.
What jobs have you done other than being an artist?
I used to work in retail when I was in my teens. It wasn't something I found majorly exciting but it provided me with some retail experience that has come in quite useful now I have my own Etsy shop and it paid my college fees. Other then that I have been very lucky and have managed to work in design based jobs all my life.
What memorable responses have you had to your work?
My biggest critiques are my kids. You can always trust a kid to be honest. So my best responses are always when my kids like something. My favourite I think being when my then 5 year old boy saw a space clock I had made and asked if he could have one. He then went onto ask for a door sign and a whole space bedroom. Which is where my space collection comes from.
What do you like about your work?
I love the freedom my work gives me. It allows me to create and do what I love doing best.
What research to you do?
I like to research popular colours, themes, new techniques
What is your dream project?
I think I'm currently doing my dream job. I get to do what I love doing best every day. Other then that I would love to be a baker and make lovely cakes, but I'm the worst cook so that will never happen.
Favourite or most inspirational place?
One of my favourite places to be is Cornwall. the landscape there is so beautiful and I'm constantly inspired from my trips there.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
I have 3 children, 2 of them under 5, so sometimes life can be hectic. The best advice I ever received was to do little and often.
Professionally, what’s your goal?
I would like to continue to expand my product ranges and develop my shop.
What wouldn’t you do without?
I couldn't do without my sewing machine. I've had it since I was 16.
Tell us about your workspace.
My workspace consists of two corners of my house. One which I use for sewing and the other for painting. I'd like to say its nice and tidy with beautiful fabrics like you see in the magazines. But its actually a bit of a mess with fabrics and materials every where, but that seems to be how I work best.
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