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Earlier this week I was introduced to this sweet online store called Little Quarters after owner Sarah emailed me when she found out we both had a common love of skulls. Working in the online space I love finding new sites and exploring them and when I find one that is beautifully designed I always want to share it with others. This one was no exception.

Little Quarters

Sarah as passionate collector is a graphics designer with a background in fashion design, she’s worked with some big names in fashion but decided it was time to do something for herself and started Little Quarters. Travel is a huge influence on Sarah’s drawings and the recent passing of her sister encouraged her to follow her dreams and start the business. Here’s a little insight into Little Quarters and Sarah’s inspiration… Sarah is kindly offering one unframed print to a Nest blog reader so please comment below with the print you would most like in your house and why to enter the competition. Winner will be announced Friday 13th Sept.

1. Where did the illustration idea stem from?

“They say what you do when you’re procrastinating is what you should do as a career”. I have been so fortunate to figure this out for myself, although still working on achieving it as a career in Little Quarters. After uprooting and moving from Geelong, Victoria at the beginning of 2012, to Sydney, I fell naturally into concentrating on my own work and in particular my Illustrations, doing what I love most.

Having spent 18 amazing months in Sydney, surrounding myself with as much art as physically possible, I have now returned to Victoria to be with family due to the recent passing of my beautiful sister who lost her fight with leukemia. This sad time has concreted within me that life really is precious, and we should all spend our time doing exactly what we love and doing what makes us truly happy! 

2. You have a repeating skull theme happening, was that intentional?

 My current SKULL+BONES series was sparked by a trip to Mexico, and experiencing the Mexican celebrations of Día de Muertos (The Day of The Dead). The celebrations really opened my eyes to how we view skulls. I was fascinated by the amount of decorations made for this celebration and so it got me thinking about skulls as a graphic and symbol.
 
From the time you look at one of my skull illustrations, you don’t know if I have drawn a boy or a girl, a black man or a white women, someone who is gay, straight or whether they suffer from an illness, have a disability, have any scars, whether they are beautiful, ugly, rich or poor… You know nothing! Other than in its simplest form the skull is familiar. The simplistic connection we have and the beauty of knowing that it’s another human being, stripped back, with no judgment… And that’s beautiful. 

3. Are you self-taught or did you study?

Ever since I was a little girl, I have always drawn. I was always found happy with a pencil in my hand, and a colouring book under my arm. I studied graphic design at the Gordon TAFE, in Geelong, Victoria. However I have never studied traditional illustration so I am self-taught in that aspect. I’m finding my design and fashion background falls hand in hand with my illustration work. I’m really enjoying the journey of discovering new techniques within my illustrations as I progress.

 5. What is one thing you’d love to draw but never quite nailed?

Ahhh… tree’s, really realistic looking tree’s, and masculine men. Most of my men look a bit girly! With objects I’m not too familiar with, I try to research the objects I want to put into the artwork and study them and to see how I can best create the illustration. I try to create a realistic feel to my work, although still trying to master this. I am actually in the process of quoting a commission piece, of which my client is after a tree of life. I’m hoping the job goes ahead as I’m really looking forward to the challenge.

6. Any advice to other illustrators out there looking to create their own range like yours?

 Take that leap of faith and go for it. There are so many tools out there to help with starting up a small business.

It is hard work, and you do need to be dedicated, and have a real passion for it, but its so rewarding! It’s really exciting to see your work being enjoyed by others. It sounds cliché but life really is too short to not be doing what you love. I get to draw every day, and I love that! Whatever you find yourself drawn to, just have some fun with it! What have you got to loose?

 It also helps if you have an incredible partner who will make you late night cups of tea, when your working away on a piece and lends a hand with packaging illustrations for posting out to customers for you. My partner really is my backbone, he keeps me going, and we have heaps of fun at the same time.
Illustrations are only just the start for this talented illustrator so keep your eyes peeled! Follow Sarah on Facebook or Instagram.

Emma x

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