Featured Artist: Ana, PinkNounou

So, what’s your story? I’m a graphic designer with a passion for crafts, illustration and colors.

How did you get started creating your artwork? In the last few years the work I was doing as a graphic designer wasn’t fulfilling me, I needed to do something more creative and more “hand made” (a computer is a very useful tool but…) – and I loved fabrics, and also started to discover the work of other artists… All this together with my always and constant love for children illustration books lead me to the crafts world I started with small softies all sew by hand, than bought a sewing machine and never stopped… I’m always drawing new character softies, thinking in new “products” for babies and small childrens… And I also have some things for grown-ups. Its good to be passionate about your work but I find I never have enough hours in my day…

Where does your inspiration come from? Colors, books, shapes, certain materials and textures… colors again

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Having more variety, specially things for children; more stockists and last but not least I would like to have a showroom studio loft. Oh, and also having a lot, lot of satisfied clients!

Where  do you sell your work? Through my site, Etsy and in some stores.

Who is your favorite artist? So many… artists/labels: Marilyn Neuhart, Alice and Martin Provensen, Jill Bliss, Camilla Engman, Ana Ventura, Alain Grée, Shinzi Katoh, Matilde Beldroega, Hillary Lang (from WeeWonderfuls), Fiona Dalton (from Hop Skip Jump), Helen Dardik (from Orange You Lucky), Abigail Brown, Mimi Kirchner, Karin Eriksson… and also painters and architects like Gauguin, Vincent van Gogh, Klimt, Vermeer, Gaudi, Frank Gehry…

What is your favorite song and by whom? Any music from Radiohead.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, with your family, what 5 things would you want to have with you? Some children illustration books, chocolates, fabrics and a needle, a sketch book and a pencil and my daughter’s pacifier

Why do you think people should buy handmade? Because things are very personal, always unique – sometimes with little imperfections that give them their “personality” – and I think there is a lot of love envolved on the process

Is there anything else you would like to share? I love what I do!