@abibrucedesign

Instagram: @abibrucedesign Wesbite: www.abibruce.com

1. What's your story? Where are you from?

My name is Abi and I am from North West, England. I have been in Edinburgh the past 3 years and now I have just moved to exciting (and scary) London. I have only just graduated so it is very exhilarating to enter the real art and design world, I hope it treats me well. I love the peculiar and quirky and try and find beauty in everything.

2. Tell us about your aesthetic.

I keep my work free and playful, with lots of bold colours and different textures. I love clashing prints and nothing is ever ‘too much’. White is always my canvas, to really emphasise the abstract shapes and colours. I just kind of throw everything together and see what happens.

3. What is your favourite medium and why?

My favourite part of the design process has always been drawing. So I love to use coloured crayons, pro-markers, oil pastels, coloured card, a mix of mediums together to create one collaged image.

4. What is your artistic process like?

I draw and draw and draw in different sized sketchbooks. Experimentation is key, I do whatever I please; then transfer my drawings to textiles through screen-print and other mediums.

5. Who and/or what inspires your work?

As my degree is in textiles, I am programmed to always see the everyday colours and textured surfaces around me to stimulate my work. When I am abroad, the surroundings are all new and exciting, so I make sure to captivate this by taking lots of photographs, as well as acquiring random objects for inspiration. I am just a hoarder really.

6. What role does art play in your life? How does it change the way you view the world?

Art occurs in my life every day, from inspiration to admiration. Everything can be a stimulation for drawing, colour, texture ideas, that really builds my artwork. Although I don’t understand everything, it simply makes me happy and will always be a big part of my life.

7. Where did you study?

I studied at Edinburgh College of Art. A beautiful city, if you have not been, go!

8. Where do you see yourself in five years?

I would love to be drawing all day in a studio with other artists, with the opportunity to collaborate and learning new skills. Living in a city abroad would be ideal.

9. What about in ten?

Eventually, I would love to have my own small design brand. I am currently working in children-wear and loving it, so maybe pushing that further – who knows!

10. What do you hope to achieve with your art?

Currently, I am seeing where I stand within the art and design industry, seeing how I can push myself further through experimentation and having fun. In the end, I want people to look at my work and think ‘this is a bit odd but I like it’. Then, of course, buy it.

11. Now, tell us a little more about you as a person: what is your favourite food?

Apple pie and custard, so good.

12. Favourite book?

Fried green tomatoes at the whistle stop café by Fannie Flagg, do not bother with the film though, nowhere near as good.

13. Favourite genre of music?

I listen to so much music! From Indie rock to disco to grunge to classical – whatever I am in the mood for really. Although I will never understand house music.

14. What are your hobbies?

I love socialising with my friends via going for meals and drinks, seeing films and visiting art galleries. I also love to read and going for long walks.

15. If you weren't an artist, what would you be?

Have my own little café, a cat café would be bliss.