We sat down with Leigh to hear more about her process and the new prints
How would you describe your artistic style?
I am naturally drawn to organic shapes and textures in all aspects of my life, whether it’s art, homewares, clothing or nature. So this forms the basis of my style of drawing/painting also. Lots of flowy lines, rounded edges, abstract florals, lots of irregularity. I also love layering colours and shapes to create depth in my work too. And working with acrylics gives me lots of textural brush strokes that, even when scanned into Photoshop, still remain intact, which I adore!
Are there certain themes, shapes, colours, or subjects you find yourself returning to again and again?
Nature has to be the most influential for me; there is always something new to take away from it when you go out and seek it. My morning walks are a time for me to just immerse myself in it and look around before the noise of cars/people becomes distracting. The colours, shapes and patterns found in nature are always changing and keep inspiring me, so I guess I keep getting drawn back to florals and beautiful earthy colour palettes.
What do you most enjoy about drawing?
I just love the flow state I get into when I draw. Life can feel a little hectic some days, but it’s one place where I feel a slowing of pace. A complete immersion of myself in my happy place. I often find myself going deep in a project for hours on end without even realising it.
What kinds of prints do you enjoy creating the most?
I love the flexibility in my job where working on a variety of prints for different clients is so much fun! Everyone has a different idea of what they want, and I love taking that idea and bringing it to life in my own way. I have delved into quite a few genres of late, working with florals, objects, animals, coastal themes, and simple stripe patterns. But I guess my favourite prints are those that stay true to my style – organic, earthy and unique.
Do you start by sketching by hand, working digitally, or a mix of both?
I always start my projects with simple sketches of ideas in my notepad, just to gauge how many elements I need and how they might work together in the print. Then I move to my sketchpad, where I start to pencil sketch the idea at scale. Then, depending on whether it’s a watercolour or acrylic print, I will paint the elements individually and then scan them into my computer to complete the print digitally.
How do you know when a design is finished?
That’s such a tough question! I’m not sure any artist really knows that. It’s such a fine line between not enough and too much. That’s why I like to share the design progress with my clients along the way, because sometimes they see things differently than I do, who has been staring at the design for hours on end. But I guess usually the design feels finished when the pattern is resolved and is working seamlessly on the intended product.
What part of the process do you find most exciting?
I love sitting down with the client and discussing the project with them. I can always feel their excitement for their new upcoming project, and I feel grateful for being part of that process and bringing it to life. And then of course seeing the final product in the flesh is pretty exciting too!!
When you are creating fabric or product prints, do you think differently than when creating standalone artwork?
Yes absolutely. A standalone artwork won’t necessarily translate into a pattern repeat very well. I find the best patterns are created using individual elements that work well together, along with some textural background colours that help to bring all the elements together as one.
What do you enjoy most about collaborating with brands?
The challenges for sure! Being given a brief for a concept that might be out of my comfort zone has really taught me to lean in and trust myself. It’s also so great to bring to life a client’s vision.
What makes a brand partnership feel like a good fit for you?
I think a partnership feels best when we’re both on the same page. Neither party is trying to change the other person to be someone they are not. Most of my clients have come to me because they have seen my art style and want something executed in the same way. It’s really about that seamless collaboration between idea and execution.
When collaborating, how do you balance your own artistic voice with a brand’s identity?
I think there is sometimes a bit of a compromise with maybe colour palettes or types of elements, but I like to think they have come to me for my art style, not someone else’s. So it’s usually fine…
What does a great creative collaboration look like from your perspective?
I think it’s the match between the client’s idea and their expectation, paired with my design skills/offering. It’s one where both parties respect each other’s work and want the best outcome for the end product.
What does it mean to work with a child/kid brand?
Oh, it’s the joy factor!! We all have that little carefree kid hidden in our adult bodies, and I like to think that gets to come out every now and then. Working with a kids’ brand allows me to unapologetically call on that child for inspiration. What would I love to wear if I were a kid again? How can I bring the fun and playfulness out in my designs? Life is too precious to wear boring clothing….haha.
Celebrating local creativity
We feel so lucky to be able to work with local Brisbane designers who understand the heart behind what we do. For us, Little Aussie Monster is not just about creating clothing or products, it is about creating pieces that feel fun, expressive and full of life for kids and their families.
We cannot wait for our Little Aussie Monster families to enjoy these new prints as much as we have loved watching Leigh create them!
