Hi! I am… Andrea Jane Burrows, a freelance illustrator currently based in Birmingham.
By day I work as… A Sales Assistant in a clothing store.
I studied… Fashion Design with Communication at Birmingham City University, I graduated in 2011.
When I was growing up I wanted to be… a vet, it was my dream for years. I was obsessed with the show 'Animal Hospital' hosted by Rolf Harris. My first job when I was 15 was a kennel assistant at the local vets, I loved playing with all the animals and the best bit was helping out at puppy training parties.
I got into illustration by… It started off with textiles in school, and then I went on to study Fashion Design at college and university. I’ve always enjoyed looking through fashion illustration books and really admired different illustrators, I thought I would love to do it myself, but I never believed I had the talent. It turns out I just hadn't found my style yet. This happened when I was at uni; I had a brilliant tutor who really helped me discover a style that worked for me.
The thing I love most about what I do is… seeing the finished product, being able to stand back and look at it after putting in all that hard work. My friends often send me pictures of them wearing the tops with my illustrations on them, I love seeing how people style them in different ways.
I first heard about Brat & Suzie when… I was doing my final project at uni, I had decided to design a collection of hand illustrated printed clothing, and was looking for a company to collaborate with. When I saw their designs I instantly knew they would be perfect.
And when they showed interest in my work I felt so excited, I didn't want to get my hopes up too quickly, but when I found out they were definitely going to use one of my illustrations I couldn’t hold my excitement in. It was amazing to see the photo shoot and see my little owl illustration on a t-shirt available for the public to buy.
The process I went through when designing my animals was… I tend to pick an animal first, I’ve had a few trips to zoos and safari parks, so I look at those pictures and find an animal that inspires me, or one that looks really cute. Then I look at the current trends and try to pick an outfit or accessories to turn the animal into a stylish little creature.
My favourite design was… That’s really difficult; I create new favourites all the time. But I guess I’m very fond of my owl illustrations, an owl in a woolly hat was the first one I did for Brat & Suzie.
My favourite animal is... it's got to be a lion, I think they’re amazingly powerful animals, and they look so cute, if I wasn’t scared of getting my head bitten off, I would love to cuddle up with one and use its mane as a pillow. Also my star sign is Leo so technically I’m a lion too.
And if I could have any pet in the world it would be… I think I would have to choose a penguin; I just love the thought of having a little penguin waddling around the flat.
I couldn't live without… Sunshine, it puts me in such a happy mood when the sun comes out to play. I hate to be stuck inside on a sunny day; I have to be out there soaking up the rays.
On my iPod right now is… Too close by Alex Clare. I can't get enough of that song at the moment.
This time next year I’d like to be… Working as an illustrator full time, this could be either carrying on with more freelance, or working full time for a company.
To see more of my work check out:
My website
www.andreajaneburrows.com
My blog:
www.andreajaneburrows.blogspot.com
Follow me
@AndreaJBurrows
