Wimbledon girl Annabel’s love of the trees and wildlife on Wimbledon Common inspired her to move to the wider natural spaces of North Devon where this talented designer and printmaker now has her home and art studio in the pretty coastal village of Appledore
Growing up in Wimbledon in a family of art lovers, she took early inspiration from the trees and wildlife a round Wimbledon Common and Richmond Park, but also from London art galleries which were important influences on developing her style. Her art teacher at Wimbledon High School gave her the confidence to study Art at A-level and then pursue Art Foundation.
Focus on nature
As a child she spent many idyllic holidays in Shropshire where her love of the countryside grew stronger. In her late teens, her passion for the environment and art led her to study both onto degree level. Nature has always been the main focus of her artwork. Her Textile Design degree gave her the skills to create patterns abstracted from images and drawings of plant life. Whilst still living in London she sold her designs and work in London shops and markets as well as trade fairs and found teaching art projects for environmental charities and schools as rewarding and fun.
Since moving to North Devon, Annabel has homed in on botanical imagery from hedgerows and from rockpools. Seed heads and buds are also good imagery and these are often photographed, drawn and painted by Annabel. Her home based studio now has several presses which she uses to create a wide range of prints from her original drawings. Patterns are then developed from print work using digital software, then repeated onto natural fabrics and rolled into lampshades, sewn up into cushions and scarves. She also makes block and screen prints and loves to combine the organic traditional print methods with modern print technology.
Sustainability is key
Annabel uses only natural fibres and feather cushion pads (from a studio in Scotland) in her products. All work is created and printed in the UK. Cards are printed onto FSC board and packed into cornstarch bags.
The first lockdown was a productive time for Annabel and she completed a new range of lampshades, cushions, scarves and art work then. Walks to the nearby woods provided lots of inspiration and material for her flora studies.
Art workshops in the Appledore Print Studio
Annabel also realised her long term dream by setting up a teaching practise Appledore Print Studio in 2015, after working in a local Arts Centre. She offers a range of term, weekend and day workshops for paper and fabric skills. Online classes will also be available soon. A newly established wild flower meadow next to the studio will be the location for the next set of workshops. Fabric dyeing and block printing as well as paper monoprinting will all be available in early Summer. She continues to collaborate print projects with galleries, cafes and art centres.
To read more about Annabel please visit www.annabelhilldesign.co.uk.
You can buy Annabel’s beautiful home furnishings in Shop With Darling
The courses are listed under Appledore Print Studio. Both are on Instagram and Facebook
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