Bristol-based illustrator and ceramicist Rosi Illustration
Rosi is an illustrator and ceramicist based in Bristol making work centred around women and the female body.
Her work challenges societies perception of the female body through playful and light hearted sketchy illustrations and ceramics.
Where did you study and how did you end up living in Bristol?
I studied Fine Art at Oxford Brookes University. Once I graduated I moved back to London where I grew up but my course didn’t set me up for work so it was a real shock to the system. I couldn’t catch a break and ended up moving back to Oxford briefly to work in an art gallery. My partner lived in Bristol so I spent weekends visiting and after 6 months I finally got my first design job in Bristol.
Rosi Illustration: I like you, I like you too
Bristol is just so full of creativity even the streets are full of art. Being a creative is very respected and accepted here which I struggled to find elsewhere.
Bristol is a great city for creatives! What do you love most about the creative scene there?
I love how many independent shops and studios there are. There is always something creative on whether thats music, workshops, mini festivals Bristol is just so full of creativity even the streets are full of art. Being a creative is very respected and accepted here which I struggled to find elsewhere.
Rosi Illustration: Ceramics
Where do you currently work? Do you work from home or in a shared studio?
I currently run my illustration business from home, but that is only a part time thing. I work as a graphic designer at a publishing company in the city centre.
Who do you admire / look up to in the industry, and why?
When I first started the person that influenced me the most was Amber Vittoria. Her work focuses on femininity and the female form. I’d never really seen art like hers. It was beauty in a non conformity way, I loved the way she played with proportion and colour. Another artist I admire is Milo Hachim. An artist and ceramicist who’s work is playful and imaginative. Her quirky ceramic work is definitely my biggest inspiration as she makes her characters come alive in clay.
Rosi Illustration: Ceramics
When did you join Instagram and what do you predominately use Instagram for?
I joined instagram around 7 years ago but it was just a personal account but since then my relationship with instagram has changed dramatically since then. Throughout my art degree we were all encouraged to have an account or website but I didn’t think it would ever help me the way it has. I started my illustration account in March of this year as a portfolio for my work but it has evolved to a mini-community where I can talk with other artists and people instructed in my art (or creations)
How often do you post? Is the content created solely by you or do you also share the work of other artists / creatives?
Currently I post almost everyday with the acceptation of some weekends and all the content I post on my instagram feed is created by me. I share other peoples work on my story because it lasts 24 hours and gives people the option to click through to the original artists page.
As someone who has struggled with body image and the female body I want to share my experiences and shine a new light on certain topics such as body hair and body image.
Rosi Illustration: Instagram
What main topics / themes / types of content do you publish on your feed regularly and why?
I cover a lot of topics and themes but generally they’re all centred around women and women’s health. As someone who has struggled with body image and the female body I want to share my experiences and shine a new light on certain topics such as body hair and body image. Currently, most of the work I share is work from personal projects. This includes behind the scenes photos of my ceramics work at various stages of progression. When it comes to sharing things that aren’t to do with my illustration, I do try and add a little more personality into my page with photos from my holiday or weekend but generally I try and keep them as relevant to my work as possible.
Do you use any apps for planning your content? How does this help give your grid a coherent visual style?
I actually don’t use any apps for content planning. Most of the work I post online is not done enough in advance for me to do that! However, I do think about the look of my feed so generally like to break up my illustrations with photos. I think this helps the illustrations stand out and not look too overwhelming which can happen due to my colour pallet.
I think self care can sometimes come with a price with so many products out there telling us that this new thing will definitely calm us, help us sleep, de-stress but sometimes what’s needed is a bit simpler.
Rosi Illustration: Self Care 101
Can you share one of your most popular posts to date?
I drew this piece (above) back in May after feeling pretty run down creatively. I think self care can sometimes come with a price with so many products out there telling us that this new thing will definitely calm us, help us sleep, de-stress but sometimes what’s needed is a bit simpler. So I drew out the 8 things I like to do which includes my favourite go-to feel good tv show, Gilmore girls which turned out to be the same for a lot of people.
Rosi Illustration: Summer Ready
How do you use Instagram stories to share specific content? What do you like about this feature?
I think instagram stories is a great way to communicate with your audience. It enables you to ask questions directly and take polls without your audience having to do much. As well as this, its great for sharing other peoples work and more personal parts of your day that maybe you don’t want to keep on your feed. More recently I’ve been using this feature to sell small runs of ceramic ladies. I just post a picture of what I have left over from markets etc and then I just ask people to direct message me if they’re interested.
Where do you hope to take your work in the next 3-5 years?
I would love to work solely for myself and be a full time illustrator and ceramicist. I also hope to have a small studio where I can teach a few workshops.
Extracts from this interview first appeared in Instagram Tips for Creatives, written by Lisa Hassell and published by Creative Bloq. Read the article here.