Homegirl London pays homage to Emmeline Simpson. Emmeline is an illustrator and designer creating contemporary souvenirs inspired by British cities – London, Bath, Bristol and Oxford. Emmeline seeks out interesting streets, cafes, views and buildings which will evoke fond memories. These gifts feature her mixed media style of graphic, illustrative and collage artwork in bright and uplifting colours. She produces kitchen accessories and homewares – fine bone china mugs, fine bone china teapots, 100% cotton screen printed tea towels, melamine placemats and coasters. Other products include 100% natural unbleached cotton drill cushions, contemporary greeting cards and high quality limited edition wall art prints. I caught up with Emmeline Simpson to find out more.
Oxford Skyline Mugs
Meet Emmeline Simpson
Emmeline is a self-taught artist, she explains – “From a young age, I always had a desire to draw. I was given my first watercolour set when I was about ten and it came with me everywhere. At school, I was good at everything which made it harder to choose to pursue art. I did a degree in Spanish and spending a year in Seville I enrolled at the Academy of Arts where my creative passion was re-kindled.”
Emmeline Simpson
Following her studies, Emmeline embarked on a career in broadcasting and worked as a freelance TV director. In between contracts she began to concentrate on her collage technique and produced a series of Bristol images which she sold as prints at the Totterdown Arts Trail. She tells me – “I dreamed of one day being able to actually make a living from producing art.”
Bath Coaster Set
The decision to turn her love of drawing into a business came about after she had her first child. Emmeline explains – “While my son was young I decided to make some of my Bristol collages into contemporary greetings cards. I’d trawl around shops with the pushchair looking for retailers to stock my products. I noticed that Bristol wasn’t being celebrated enough, it didn’t have much in the way of souvenirs or gifts for tourists and locals which gave me a niche to focus on.”
‘Harbourside View’ Bristol Card
“My local card shop agreed to stock a few cards which were quickly followed by more stores and before I knew it I’d started a business. So I began sourcing suppliers and developing new ideas. By the spring of 2010, I was selling a range of products including tea towels, mugs, placemats and coasters to gift shops in the Bristol area and also at the Tourist Information centre.”
Bristol Regency House Tea Towel
Emmeline works from her Bristol home in the spare room which has become her dedicated office – “I’m lucky to have a big window seat where I can sit and draw.” The operation is small with an assistant one day a week, a bookkeeper plus a distribution company to fulfil her orders.
Bristol Clifton Suspension Bridge Fine Bone China Mugs and Teapot
She certainly enjoys the freedom of being her own boss with a varied schedule and time to enjoy family life. Aside from the flexibility, Emmeline tells me about the buzz she gets from what she does – “Seeing something that I’ve created go from a tiny business to a growing and successful business is very exciting. I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved so far and I can choose where I take the business next.”
Emmeline Simpson Collection
Emmeline talks me through her particular style – “I’m passionate about collage and line drawing. These two elements are the strongest components of my work. I love the simplicity of making a line drawing of a cityscape. I combine this with interesting textures, for example, fabrics, wallpaper or newsprint to bring into my collages. This all comes together in the images I have created which have been incorporated into my products.”
London Set of Six Coasters
Emmeline’s collections comprise of four cities – London, Bath, Bristol and Oxford. The core idea behind each range is that they are contemporary souvenirs. Emmeline tells me – “I hope my work will be enjoyed by those who live in each city I depict as well as those who are passing through and bring back memories to those who have moved on.”
Bristol Clifton Balloons Cushion
As you’d expect from the designs, Emmeline is very much inspired by cities. She tells me – “I seek out interesting streets and architectural features to draw rather than the main tourist sites. In Bristol, I like to take photographs of people enjoying favourite cafes and restaurants and bring these scenes into my work, as these are the places where memories of a city are made.”
Bristol Dockyard Cafe Greetings Card
Buy Emmeline Simpson Products
All of Emmeline’s products are available from her website Emmeline Simpson. Everything is produced in the UK and to give you an idea about prices – Tea Towels are £9-12, Cushions £39, Placemats £9-10, Coasters £3.25, Mugs £9.99 and Teapots £39.99.
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Emmeline Simpson. Thanks: Emmeline Simpson.
