Artist Karin Akesson on drawing, planning, and the places she calls home.

 

We are very excited to welcome Karin Akesson as our Artist's Highlight of the month!

Karin is the creator of Karin Akesson Design, a company selling wall art and inspirational gifts for children. She wants to create things that they get excited about, make them ask questions and empower and inspire them. Join our conversation w

Let’s start off with a little bit about your background. Where are you from originally? Is that where you are based now?

I am from Sweden and moved to the UK to study when I was 18 years old. I have been living in London over 20 years now.

How do you draw inspiration from the place that you're in, and what do you like and dislike about it?

London is such a creative place to live and I feel right at home. There is always so much going on and the people makes it unique. I live in Walthamstow, East London and I love the sense of community. Inspiration often comes from the small things in life, people, the park, things my children say. 

Obviously the drawback of living in London is the cars and the pollution but I go back to Sweden regularly so I have two places to call home and do think I have the best of both worlds!

What is a typical day in the life of Karin Akesson?

I work together with my husband and we work around our two children: while they are in school we process orders, make stock, work on new ideas, take stock to our local concession shop, admin etc. 

I love a plan and every day has a list of things to tick off. 

When you are running a small business being creative is just the tip of the mountain of all the things you need to do. 

There is never enough time to do it all but I think we have a pretty good work/life balance and family life is our priority.

When and how did you become interested in illustration and design? Did you study textile design?

I have always loved making things, I did Art in school, moved to UK in '97 to study illustration, this was followed by BA Illustration at Brighton University and a MA in Art and Communication at Royal College of Art.

We love your style, where do you draw your biggest inspiration from?

I like to create things to make people smile, I’m often inspired by ad use positive words and phrases in my work, anything to brighten life up a bit.

What are your passions outside of the studio?

Work and family with young children takes up most my time but I alway make time for coffee with friends, good food and any given chance I go to Sweden to visit my family.

What's your earliest memory related to art? First museum visit or first artwork that really caused an impact on you?

I went to a great art school in Sweden when I was 16-18 years, we did everything from painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking and lots of other creative courses, We had a great teacher and this was the first time I realised this could actually be something I could carry on doing for a living.

Do you have any exciting upcoming projects for 2023?

My first children book called The Rainbow Snail has just launched in the US and will be published in the UK in May which is really exciting. I am working on a couple of more books this year and along side this we will carry on expanding our product range.

Quick Fire Questions:

1. Favourite book? ➡️ I used to love to reading but after a couple of years of sleepless night with children who don’t sleep I can’t even think of one now. Reading is definitely something I want to get back to doing.
2. Butterflies or animal print? ➡️ Animal print
3. Hot weather or cold weather? ➡️ Hot
4. Name three songs currently on heavy rotation in your studio when it is time to get to work. ➡️ I prefer silence, I might listen to a podcast but I will never have music on.