Meet The Illustrator: Andrea Jane Burrows

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

Meet The Illustrator: Emily May

Hi! I am.. Emily May. I live in London, and

by day I work as… a freelance Illustrator and Graphic Artist.

I studied… Graphic Art and Design at Leeds Metropolitan University and came away with a First Class BA(Hons) Degree in 2010.

When I was growing up I wanted to… work for Disney, and then it didn’t take long before that changed to Pixar. Along the way there were dreams of joining the Spice Girls or becoming a vet, but I always went back to drawing. 

It’s very much in my blood, my whole family is creative, but the real inspiration came from my Granddad who worked as an animator for Gaumont British Animation. I remember from a very young age sitting on his lap whilst he looked at my drawings and showed me how to improve them, I believe I have inherited his perfectionist ways.  

It was only really when I got to University that I discovered my love for design and that these big childhood aspirations were early signs of my love for character design and story telling. 

The thing I love most about what I do is… that my job is my hobby. I guess that’s a lucky thing.

I first heard about Brat & Suzie when… their T-shirts kept popping up in stores around Leeds, where I studied. I emailed them with a link to my work and they asked me to come and meet them at their studio in London. I’ve been working on designs for them ever since. They are really lovely girls to work for and I love that they’ve had me really involved in more than just designing; I’ve also been along to photo-shoots, trade shows and festivals with Brat and Suzie.

My favourite design was.. my Fox Head Dress Tee. Within a few hours of it getting a fair bit of airtime on Brat and Suzie’s BBC Dragons Den pitch, it had sold out. I have recently designed the Cheetah Tee and the Boston Dog Tee, both of which I am very pleased with.

Since working with Brat & Suzie I have.. worked on commissions for various clients such as Urban Apothecary London and Warehouse, and have continued to build my portfolio.

And now I’m working on.. a few new projects, one being a print design for a menswear designer and also a few personal commissions which I always enjoy. I’m waiting for the go ahead for an interior design project which I am really looking forward to starting. 

My favourite animal is.. the wolf.

And if I could have any pet in the world it would be.. a wolf, but because that will never happen I will probably get a husky and pretend it is a wolf.

I couldn’t live without… my friends and family, they are all that really matters.

On my iPod right now is… a lot of Ben Howard, Laurelle and Alexander, Alt-J and Azealia Banks.

This time next year I’d like to be… better at cooking.

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