I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember… in fact I used to skip other subjects at school to work on my portfolio in the art department.
The world that textile designer turned artist and illustrator Yvonne Stewart creates is far removed from the everyday. It’s a magical realm of cute drawings, whimsical illustrations and abstract paintings, where girls have blue hair and antlers, make friends with the animals and dance with bubbles. So how did Yvonne find her style and create the delightful alternative universe that is Coramantic? We caught up with the Scottish artist to find out…
Can you introduce yourself and describe what you do?
Hi! I’m Yvonne, I’m 35 years old and live in St Andrews, Scotland, with my husband, son and two cats. I graduated in 2001 with a degree in textile design and worked in visual merchandising for many years before coming back to my love of print and visual studies. I now create a variety of prints and artwork for the home using mainly gouache and pencil. Gouache has always been my favourite medium and it works well for both intricate detailed work as well as more spontaneous abstract pieces.
Where does your shop name, Coramantic, come from?
Cora is my middle name and I knew I wanted something playful and romantic for my brand so Coramantic was born.
Cora is my middle name and I knew I wanted something playful and romantic for my brand so Coramantic was born.
How would you describe your style?
My style is all about mark-making and expression. I range from small controlled lines and shapes to larger, freer art. My style is a mix of illustration and abstract art, which started with my time in textile design and developed over the years. My work goes through a range of emotions – it can be playful and light or more somber.
My work goes through a range of emotions – it can be playful and light or more somber.
Have you always been able to draw?
Yes, I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember. Art was always a subject I really enjoyed at school – in fact I used to skip a couple of other subjects to work on my portfolio in the art department.
What was your experience of art in school?
My experience was very good. I had supportive art and design teachers who encouraged me all the way. I was able to experiment in so many different mediums and techniques at school. I think this encouraged me to go on to study textiles.
Gouache has always been my favourite medium and it works well for both intricate detailed work as well as more spontaneous abstract pieces.
Who are your design heroes?
My heroes are all different from each other but all have influenced me in their own ways – Cecilia Carlstedt, Francis Boag, Gary Baseman and Francis Bacon.
What or who else inspires you?
Star signs, geishas, Sylvia Plath, garden birds, children’s stories, Radiohead, my cats… my son’s artwork.
I’m inspired by star signs, geishas, Sylvia Plath, garden birds, children’s stories, Radiohead, my cats… my son’s artwork.
Can you describe your workspace?
We have a small spare room in our house that I’ve claimed for making my artwork. I have a desk and all my materials. I keep my computer, scanner and printer in a different, safer part of the house – away from the water and paint!
What’s the most precious item in your studio and why?
The most precious item in my studio is probably a sketch book that I created in 2000 – work from this was used in a Scottish Higher exam paper and I’ve always been quite attached to it. It’s all about zoo animals and it’s very expressive.
What would I say to someone thinking of selling their own work? Give it a go!
What would you say to someone thinking about selling their work?
Give it a go! Make sure you are creating something new, don’t be tempted to look too much at what other people are doing, find your own style. Try selling online as well as other outlets such as galleries, craft fairs and shops.
See more cute drawings and whimsical illustrations by Coramantic >
To celebrate being a featured maker on Folksy, Yvonne is offering 15% off everything in her Folksy shop Coramantic with the code coramantic15 – valid until 3rd September 2015
