Bigheads: Mama Wolf

Sandra Deichmann : illustrator- she does a bit of everything
Jill Tytherleigh: illustrator publishing
Laura Hughes: illustrator children book

Studio Mama Wolfe. Sophie is the fourth member.
Hackney, East London. Animal friendly studio.

Studio environment: Keeps themselves to themselves, but in a friendly environment. Its a shop as well! The customers are really respectful.
Moved from a small space to a big space, wanted to have stock on display, organise meetings, workshops. It was a vintage clothing shop before. Did a kickstarter to improve their studio- built a mezzanine floor. It creates a sort of community, retain contacts as the kickstarter page stays open. 

Individual practices:

Laura: Children books; several publishers at the same time. Greetings cards get licensed as well as stationary. Big project for waitrose! Common thread? Messy animals, materials paint and ink. Mixed media and energy. 
Personal projects? Not a lot of time, but when she does she is quite pro active. 100 cats exhibition. For the purpose of it, its fun and a good way of meeting new people. Including people who haven't been included in exhibitions.
Jill: 'Multitasker', packaging for Harrods etc. 
Sandra: Every single thing you want you have to work for. If it doesn't exist, make it happen. 2009-10; 'if I was you', 'house stories'.
If you're busy organising projects for people, people notice you! Snowball effect. 

Sandra never really specialised but the other girls did. As long as you put a lot of energy into something you are more likely to be successful. Make sure you are getting enough out of it as other people too; balance between commercial work and self satisfaction.

Jill: Any angle you take, you have to pursue it. 'You can't run before you can walk.

How does selling cards and products fit in with illustrative practice?

Sandra: Partly lives off print sales. 'Fine art but looks illustrative?' Work can be discriptive and emotional that would lend itself to a brief, but she feels like she isn't directly answering the brief. 
Part of 'clay collective'.
Goes with the flow.

What advice would you give your self now when starting out?
EXCERCISE!
Don't be afraid. People are just people. Be confident! 

Open studio June 2nd! 

Wherever you are you build a nest.