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Meet The Artists

Klara Hawkins

3 Sept 2020

Meet the Artists: Hello from Klara Hawkins

Hey there...you know what time it is?? Time for another instalment in the meet the artists series! We know, we know, we’re spoiling you. Anyway, today we’d love you to meet Klara, the artist behind some of our most adorable cards! Not only are we lucky enough to have her sausage dog inspired designs at Moonpig, but she treated us to a lovely conversation about the inspiration behind her brand, the challenges she has faced and her favourite things about being an illustrator. We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we loved talking to her!

Tell us a bit about yourself...

I was brought up in a beautiful part of Lancashire which is one of the wettest areas in Britain. This allowed for lots of time indoors drawing and painting. I studied at an Art College and then moved to the outskirts of London to do a degree in Illustration. 20 years later I’m still here and married with a daughter and step-daughter. I love the great outdoors, being surrounded by trees, long walks, cosy blankets, candlelight, a good book, animals and people who make me laugh!

How did you get into the creative/greeting card industry?

I studied Illustration at University and only ever saw freelance as an option for a career in illustration but I wanted a full-time job. Shortly after graduating I was very lucky and started freelancing for a large greetings card company that designed cards for Marks & Spencer. After a few months, my dream came true and I got offered a full-time position. I really loved it and stayed for 16 years!

What have been your biggest challenges to get to where you are today?

I feel very fortunate to have had a wonderful career so far. I think the biggest challenge was making the jump from a full-time job to being freelance. It felt quite scary to lose the security of a monthly income. I was also used to working in a studio with a wonderful team of creatives, so suddenly working on my own and not sure if I was going to earn any money was quite daunting.

What has been the proudest moment of your career?

There have been lots of highlights and I still get excited when I see my products in stores, even now. Seeing a display of my cards in Harrods with my name at the top of the stand was an amazing moment. I’m also proud now that I’m self-employed and am paving my own path for my career. It’s an exciting journey to be on with endless avenues to explore.

At what point in your life did you realise illustration was the path for you?

At Art College, I was considering studying Fine Art or Graphic Design at University as I wasn’t aware there were any alternatives. It didn’t even occur to me that illustration was an option until a tutor suggested it. I knew immediately that was the right path for me.

Do you have anyone or anything in mind when you're designing your cards?

I often end up daydreaming when I’m really enjoying something I’m illustrating. I get completely lost in what I’m doing and forget the world exists. Sometimes when I’m upset I draw and work through my feelings that way - I think my best drawings happen when I’m emotional.

What is the best card you’ve ever been given?

A handmade card from my daughter. Cards are always the best when someone has put their heart into them.

Which is your favourite card you ever designed and why?

It’s hard to say as I’ve been in the industry for so long and have designed 1000s of cards. I had a tutor at Art College who used to say ‘you’re only as good as your last drawing’. There’s something that rings true in that but perhaps the first card I ever had published is still my favourite. It was a hand-painted set of 4 nativity Christmas cards and was sold in Marks & Spencer. It was an amazing feeling to see them in store.

Who or what is your biggest inspiration?

There's lots of artists, illustrators and creatives who I really admire and look up to. I love reading their success stories and finding out how they started and got to be where they’re at. We all have such huge potential - we just need to have the confidence and passion to fulfil our dreams! Anything is possible.

What do you love most about your job/brand?

I love the unknown, the potential and that every day is different. You never know what’s going to land in your inbox. The future fills me with huge excitement and gives me the energy and drive to keep pushing towards my goals. There’s so many things I want to achieve. Most of all I just love creating pictures. I love what I do and I do what I love.

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Klara Hawkins

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