Interview: Kim's Little Monsters
Posted on March 17, 2011 by Anna Denise
While I was checking out the new 'activity feed'-thingie on Etsy, I came across this shop called Kim's Little Monsters, filled with cute ceramics, illustrations, and accessories. Researching the matter a little further, I noticed that Kim and I share a hometown: Utrecht! So I asked Kim if I could do a little interview with her! The interview turned out to be not so little, but oh so awesome. Thank you Kim for taking the time to answer my questions!
Looking at your CV I see you've graduated both in illustration as well as fashion design. Why both?
When I was 10 years old I knew I wanted to go to art school but back then I thought that was all about painting flowers in vases (which I specialised in back then). At age 13 I started sewing clothes for my Barbie dolls and from then on I wanted to be a fashion designer. With this goal in mind I got through high school and applied for an education in fashion design at Artez, institute for the arts in Arnhem. I didn't have any other options in mind so it was a big relief when got accepted! After Artez I worked for different labels for over a year, but I soon discovered that most of the work was done on the computer and I started to miss making things by hand and actually feel the materials. At the last job I worked, I did some of artwork for children's clothes and since I really enjoyed doing that, I started looking for programs in illustration. I got accepted at the art school in Utrecht and after graduating three years later, I started my own business as an illustartor! Now I draw everything by hand first and then edit the last bits on the computer. That way I still get to work with 'real' material and I like that balance.
Besides prints of illustrations, your amazing shop also features a lot of illustrated ceramics and wooden pins. It seems you've experimented with many different materials and methods of working. Are you sticking with ceramics now or do you have another method of working you're looking to explore?
First: thank you for the nice compliment about my shop! I like exploring different materials and methods. It keeps me fresh and motivated. The other advantage is that this way I get to meet so many different people who are all experts in their specific field, that's very inspiring to me. The other (less romantic) reason is that I get bored pretty quickly, so to keep myself focused I just need different input now and then. I must say that ceramic is such a lovely material, especially when it's vintage. I love that feeling of a sense of history in porcelain, so I think I'll stick to this for a while. 3D illustrations are also a big 'keeper', I love to build those little sceneries. But, of course, in the meantime I'll keep exploring new stuff, so who knows what's next?
Your blog is full of inspirational stuff. Are these things you blog about things you come across while doing research for your own work, or is the blog a project in itself?
This is all stuff I come across while snooping around on the internet, in magazines or in stores just around the corner. I try to keep a good balance between showing my own work/life and showing other people's lovely creations. I think part of the charme of a blog is to share your treasures and inspirations and in the mean time help to promote others.
Do you work as an artist full time? If so, what is your favorite project you've worked on so far?
Yes, although I do teach as well, about five hours a week, but I count that as part of my illustration business. My favorite project from last year were the 3D boxes for the 'Woonbeurs' in Amsterdam (home decor fair). The commissioned assignment was an outcome of a competition I won. I got to make two life size 3D illustrations. Apart from the opportunity to work on such a big scale and show my work to so many visitors, the people from the organisation where very trusting en so nice to work with!
What's next for Kim's Little Monsters? Any big plans?
Well, I just started the etsy shop so I'd like to get that up and running and out there more. Right now I'm working on porcelain doorknobs, stickers and prints and enjoying that sooo much! I'd also like to sell my stuff in other shops, it will be sold at gutenappetit.nl soon and an exhibition is comming up so that's a start. Maybe in the future work with others and develope new things, that would be nice too! And last but not least, get my own webshop on my website!
Links: Website | Weblog | Etsy Shop
Thank you, Kim, for an awesome interview and lots of wonderful art!
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Looking at your CV I see you've graduated both in illustration as well as fashion design. Why both?
When I was 10 years old I knew I wanted to go to art school but back then I thought that was all about painting flowers in vases (which I specialised in back then). At age 13 I started sewing clothes for my Barbie dolls and from then on I wanted to be a fashion designer. With this goal in mind I got through high school and applied for an education in fashion design at Artez, institute for the arts in Arnhem. I didn't have any other options in mind so it was a big relief when got accepted! After Artez I worked for different labels for over a year, but I soon discovered that most of the work was done on the computer and I started to miss making things by hand and actually feel the materials. At the last job I worked, I did some of artwork for children's clothes and since I really enjoyed doing that, I started looking for programs in illustration. I got accepted at the art school in Utrecht and after graduating three years later, I started my own business as an illustartor! Now I draw everything by hand first and then edit the last bits on the computer. That way I still get to work with 'real' material and I like that balance.
Besides prints of illustrations, your amazing shop also features a lot of illustrated ceramics and wooden pins. It seems you've experimented with many different materials and methods of working. Are you sticking with ceramics now or do you have another method of working you're looking to explore?
First: thank you for the nice compliment about my shop! I like exploring different materials and methods. It keeps me fresh and motivated. The other advantage is that this way I get to meet so many different people who are all experts in their specific field, that's very inspiring to me. The other (less romantic) reason is that I get bored pretty quickly, so to keep myself focused I just need different input now and then. I must say that ceramic is such a lovely material, especially when it's vintage. I love that feeling of a sense of history in porcelain, so I think I'll stick to this for a while. 3D illustrations are also a big 'keeper', I love to build those little sceneries. But, of course, in the meantime I'll keep exploring new stuff, so who knows what's next?
Your blog is full of inspirational stuff. Are these things you blog about things you come across while doing research for your own work, or is the blog a project in itself?
This is all stuff I come across while snooping around on the internet, in magazines or in stores just around the corner. I try to keep a good balance between showing my own work/life and showing other people's lovely creations. I think part of the charme of a blog is to share your treasures and inspirations and in the mean time help to promote others.
Do you work as an artist full time? If so, what is your favorite project you've worked on so far?
Yes, although I do teach as well, about five hours a week, but I count that as part of my illustration business. My favorite project from last year were the 3D boxes for the 'Woonbeurs' in Amsterdam (home decor fair). The commissioned assignment was an outcome of a competition I won. I got to make two life size 3D illustrations. Apart from the opportunity to work on such a big scale and show my work to so many visitors, the people from the organisation where very trusting en so nice to work with!
What's next for Kim's Little Monsters? Any big plans?
Well, I just started the etsy shop so I'd like to get that up and running and out there more. Right now I'm working on porcelain doorknobs, stickers and prints and enjoying that sooo much! I'd also like to sell my stuff in other shops, it will be sold at gutenappetit.nl soon and an exhibition is comming up so that's a start. Maybe in the future work with others and develope new things, that would be nice too! And last but not least, get my own webshop on my website!
Links: Website | Weblog | Etsy ShopThank you, Kim, for an awesome interview and lots of wonderful art!
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And thank you for the nice feature! ;)
So nice!!! Love those cups!
Foxy!
Love Kim’s work, it’s fun and inspirational. Lovely feature and interview!
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