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Hello Bumpkin
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THEN AND NOW

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Then and Now Illustration - Abbie Imagine - Far Better Things Ahead


When it comes to skills, to so called 'talents', we're always told the same thing: practice makes perfect. I'm one of those people who hears that, instantly dismisses it, decides I will be excellent from the start and ploughs ahead. And then becomes increasingly frustrated when things don't turn out brilliantly. 

But sometimes things turn out okay from the offset and I think, wow, I got this! This is the basis on which I set up my business. I knew I was okay at drawing. I didn't know I was okay at typography, I just decided I would be if I gave it a go. So I gave it a go and because I didn't know if what I was doing was any good, I just based it on my own opinion. And my own opinion was: well, that's not bad! High five!

Jane Austen Illustration - Abbie Imagine - It is a truth universally acknowledgedConfidence is just as important as practice. People bought my designs and my business began to grow. My confidence in my own ability meant customers had confidence in my ability which meant other companies had confidence in my ability and doors started opening up. And that meant I was designing increasingly more, which meant I was practicing without even realising it was practice.

Jane Austen Illustration - Abbie Imagine - It is a truth universally acknowledgedRecently, I've been updating old designs. Now I have a few years of practice under my belt, I can see that the designs I was producing a few years ago are perfectly adequate. Perfectly lovely. But through  this elusive practicing, I've found myself. That other thing people always say will happen has happened: I've discovered my style. I always wanted a style. I'd look at other artists in envy that they had a style. 

My style isn't perfect, but it's one I recognise as mine. I know how I'm going to form each letter
before I form them and I have a rough idea how the final piece will look before I've started doodling.

Practice makes perfect, but that doesn't mean you can't be proud of the work you've done on your journey there.

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DEAR DIARY: EARLY MORNING WALKS

Sunday, January 22, 2017



It's a new year! And like every year, I'm writing a blog post that says, "this year I'm going to blog so much like I'll be queen of blogging y'all!" And we all know it's a lie.

Actually, I'm determined for it not to be a lie this time. I am. I really am.

As you can see, I've started my attempt to actually blog properly with a complete overhaul of my blog. New name. New design.

The name change is mostly because I have set up an official website for my shop (check it out here) and as I don't always blog about business stuff, I didn't want this to have the same brand. I will of course be talking about my designs and business over here, but that's not the primary reason for this blog. The primary reason is that I want a place to write my thoughts– any and all!

Another goal I have for 2017 is to get out into the countryside more. I live in Cornwall, it's almost criminal that I don't do it as often as I'd like.


First on my list was an early morning walk around Lanhydrock estate, which, you guys, is just lovely.  And only a ten minute drive down the road. Why do I never do this?! The house itself is closed this time of year, so the only people around are dog walkers with their lovely friendly dogs. My dog is not friendly. It's not that she's viscous, she just has absolute no interest in talking to anyone. At all. Dogs come up to her, she ignores them. People approach. Ignored. It's slightly embarrassing. On an average walk, I'll find myself apologising at least three times for her rudeness. 

Is anyone else's dog like this or is it just Spell?!


Next on my list is an early morning trip to Perranporth beach. Anyone who knows me at this point will be rolling their eyes and saying, "Seriously, Abbie? Branch out. You go there. All. The. Time." But it is one of my favourite beaches. And the Watering Hole is a great bar, so there's that. Cheesy chips anyone? Although, I suppose if I'm going early, chips won't be a thing. But I'll make it work, don't fear!

Here's to a 2017 full of adventures!

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WHEN I GROW UP

Monday, August 15, 2016


I'm at that point in my life where I'm looking back and looking forward all at once. Looking back at everything I wanted, the dreams, the successes and the failures. Looking forward to what I still want, what I can still get and what might have slipped out of reach.

I say out of reach, but actually, I'm not sure anything is out of reach at this stage. Perhaps except my dream of being a Blue Peter presenter. At 27, it might be too late to start on that one.

I'm potentially the most indecisive person you'll meet (it took me three attempts to choose a degree I could see through to the end– Law, maybe not– teaching, not right now– media production, we have a winner), so it's no surprise I've had a lot of dreams. And still do. I want to do everything and maybe I can.

  • 6 years old: "When I grow up, I want to write my own book and draw the pictures." 
    • I remember saying this to pretty much everyone who asked. It's my longest dream and the one that never died. Today, I have written a book and as soon as I deem it good enough, I fully intend to attempt publishing. It's taken me four years of working on it so far, but I'm sure the perfectionist in me will accept it as finished at some point. Unfortunately, it's not a picture book (so no drawing the pictures), but as I sell my own art as the day job, I think I've got that covered.
  • 8 years old: "When I grow up, I want to present Blue Peter." 
    • I loved that show as a kid! Sadly, that one didn't really go anywhere, but it's probably for the best. I'm no good at singing and somehow the presenters always ended up doing that.
  • 10 years old: "When I grow up, I want to be a vet." 
    • Doesn't every child? I was and still am a huge animal lover. To this day, I would love to be a vet, to give something back to the little balls of fluff that give us so much, but I can't deal with blood. At all. And I'm not sure I'd have it in me to put an animal to sleep, no matter how needed it might be.
  • 14 years old: "When I grow up, I want to be a lawyer." 
    • This is one that stayed with me for a while. As a teenager, it was probably my main ambition. That and a journalist (because writing). I took law as an A-level (and didn't particularly enjoy it), but thought it was a sensible career choice, so applied to study it at degree level too. Somehow, I earned a place at Plymouth University back in 2007, but two weeks before I was due to start, I knew my heart wasn't in it and I cancelled my place and took a gap year to figure out what I really did want to do.
  • 18 years old: "When I grow up, I want to be a teacher." 
    • At that point, I decided to apply for a teaching degree instead. Teaching is something that has always been at the back of my mind. It's something I want to do eventually and once again, I accepted a place at uni, only to realise for now, that wasn't where I wanted to be. I knew I could go into teaching at any point in my life, so I decided to do a degree in something I was really passionate about and revisit teaching later.
  • 19 years old: "When I grow up, I want to make films." 
    • I finally made it to uni in 2008 and headed to University of St Mark and St John (Marjon) in Plymouth to study Media Production. And I loved it. I spent my days making films and taking photos. I graduated with First class honours and did eventually secure a job in the television industry, working for the company I had dreamed of working for.
  • 25 years old: "When I grow up, I want to be an illustrator and author." 
    • I've come to realise that these are the ambitions I really care about. Throughout all my dreams and indecisiveness, these are the only things I have never faltered on, have never quit. I've always written stories and I've always drawn and that's not set to change. I am so lucky to be able to earn a living off the former and I work hard to keep that dream going. The latter is my next big dream and it is something I will succeed at– I won't rest until I do! I'm not above annoying publishers to the brink of a restraining order to achieve this ;)
No dream is out of reach. If you set your mind to it, you can do whatever you want. And I for one definitely intend to. What were your childhood dreams? Lets make them a reality. Unless it's to be a unicorn because, even though I'm 100% behind that ambition, it might not be physically possible. Yet!

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THORTFUL

Sunday, August 14, 2016



I've been a terrible blogger again. One day, I won't start a post with those words. But today, I have an exciting post.

My designs are now available (and have been for a few months, but shh) on Thortful. Now, if you don't know about Thortful, you are well and truly missing out.

Think Moonpig, but better. Thortful is a greeting card marketplace that supports a community of independent artists to bring you unique greeting cards, most of which you will not find on the high street.


They have cards for every occasion and they are only £2.99 for a lovely A5 card. Even better, you can add your own personal message and have it sent directly to the recipient, safe in the knowledge that you've chosen a truly special card that won't be duplicated on the mantel piece!

And best of all, getting your cards from Thortful means you are supporting indie artists, like myself, all across the country.


If you haven't already, I really do recommend checking them out, and I'm not just saying that because you can find my work there. I've always been left feeling a bit deflated looking through the likes of Moonpig for a card, with so many 'same old' designs, but I've already found a bunch that have caught my eye on Thortful and new designs are being added all the time.

Click here to take a look at all Thortful have to offer!

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PUG MUGS ARE BACK

Monday, April 04, 2016


If I'm being honest, the Pug Mugs have been back for a while, but my terrible blogging habit struck again.

But this time, I've revamped the design, added a new pug (hello coffee pug!) and introduced our friends the black pug!


Not only that, but I've got all new packaging. I loved the original gift boxes, but they weren't sturdy enough to ship already built, which meant I could only include them flat packed, leaving you guys to put them together yourself. 

The new boxes are much simpler, but they are much sturdier, which means I can post them already built and with your mug nestled cosily inside. Bonus!


Head over to my shop to grab yours for only £9!


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