Meg Harriet is an illustrator and surface pattern designer based in Devon, UK.
INTERVIEW WITH
Meg Harriet
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself when you were first just starting out in art?
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I would say to keep drawing. A little everyday goes a long way, One simple drawing can help inspire another. Also just having fun with it and not thinking too seriously. All of this has helped me to be more relaxed with my work and to think about what I would like to draw.
What do you miss most about being a child, in relation to the freedom of art (of creating anything- from magical beings to family portraits and getting compliments)?
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I miss the time where I wasn’t being judged or influenced by everything I do. As a child you don’t think about what others think or want to create work that would make people happy. You just make work because it’s fun! I have a great photo of myself around the age of 4 where I have pen all over my body because that’s is what I thought would be fun and I didn’t care about what others would think of me.
Is art your safe space, a space to further discover your vision or both?
It feels like a fun place for me to just be calm and draw fun things! I feel very free when I create my art. I do feel like it’s a bit of an escape from the stresses of my daily life. To sit down and go into my own world of drawing and let time go by.
How does being a woman affect your work and career?
Working in the area of surface pattern design I make art more focused towards feminine styles. So therefore I haven’t felt stressed competing in a male dominated area. I always feel calm and supported by people I’m inspired by and it feels like a very loving community of all types of people.
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Do you listen to music while creating art? If yes, then what are your favourite songs?
Always! For me it’s great to have background noises and depending on the song my work can be influenced by the mood. Sometimes more upbeat music can inspire more movement in my work compared to calm songs where I have more space and a sense of delicacy to my drawings.
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In honour of our Ghibli issue, please suggest to our readers some Ghibli films!
Well I do love all of Ghibli’s work but currently it has to be ‘From Up on Poppy Hill’. I am just obsessed with the background design and the beautiful simple story.