An Interview with Illustrator Abi Overland

All images by kind permission of Abi Overland Photography by  Max Burnett 

This story actually began some months back, when I bought a drawing of a stag's head from a pop-up shop selling artwork by local artists in St. Helier, which I blogged about it here. Unfortunately, the piece was unsigned so I couldn't find out any more about it or the artist, (I like to google stuff when I find something I like to check out what else is available). Fast forward to September of this year, and I happened to be wandering around the stalls of a local Arts and Music Festival called Spice, where I spotted some familiar work, and was delighted to find the artist behind the art, Abi Overland. Since then I have been following her on social media, and watching with interest how she has developed as an artist and progressed to starting her own business,  and I'm very pleased to have Abi as  my blog guest today.  So a very big welcome to Abi Overland..

1.Would you mind telling us a little about yourself, and what you do.

I'm an illustrator by trade! I graduated last year with a degree in illustrations from the university of Brighton.

2. What are your tools of your trade?

I generally favour my drawing pens, being a lefty makes it a bit of a nightmare drawing with pencils and usually end up with a nice blurred drawing and a metallic arm!

3. Have you always had an interest in art/drawing/illustrations? 

Always, when I was small and couldn't draw, I used to make my parents draw me pictures and I'd watch how they did it.  My godmother is a fashion designer and she was my hero! She drew me loads of pictures of ladies in amazing dresses.  There was never any other option, my life was always going to be drawing.

4.  So how did it feel when you were contacted by Vogue magazine?

I was at work and it was a particularly crap days o it completely knocked the wind out of me, I then proceeded to spend the rest of the day jumping up and down. When starting your own business its's quite hard sometimes to stop the doubt creeping in and panicking about it being successful, especially when it's something personal, so having Vogue on side is a huge boost.

5. You've worked with a few local companies, The Gallery Magazine, and Bean around the world, who b what have you got in your sights next, (If it's not a trade secret and telling me would involve having to kill me)

I would like to get involved with more local companies and maybe do collaborations with other creatives in Jersey, I haven't got anything planned yet but have got big ideas in the pipeline for this coming year.

6. You started off with drawing and illustrations, why the move to ceramics?

I wanted to have a medium that would transform my illustrations into  useable items and I spent a while looking into what exactly I wanted to do with them, how I wanted to do it and managed to source a factory in Stoke-on -Trent that specialised in short run productions of fine bone china and it all fell perfectly into place.  since then I've developed a real passion and appreciation for ceramics and have started to experiment with clay sculptures too. Just for fun.

7. Will you also carry on with drawings?

Oh, of course, I'm still constantly drawing. I get withdrawal symptoms if I stop for too long!

All images by kind permission of Abi Overland Photography by  Max Burnett 

8. How did you find the whole process of starting your own business? And any tips you could offer to anyone thinking of taking the leap.

I found it a really enjoyable process, I’ve taken my time over each step to make sure it is perfect and it took longer than I expected, but that was always going to be the case. It’s scary at times, but I wouldn’t have it any other way, the fear makes you productive.

I think the best advice I could give anyone is that when you start your own business you need to give yourself a lot of time to daydream and come up with outlandish and fantastical ideas. Realistically most of these won’t be able to come to fruition, but what you’ll find from doing this is that you’ll research and look into possibilities that initially you wouldn’t have thought possible and that’s where you get the best results. 

Also, if you want to do something, you’ve just got to get out there and start doing it, you’ve got to look at where you want to be and what steps you need to take to get there.

9. If you could have any chef in the world create a plate of food that could sum up the essence of Abi overland design, who would it be, and what outrageous dish do you think they should make?

It would have to be someone equally outrageous, El Bulli for instance! Something with a burst of colour in it would look fabulous.

10 Where can we buy your stuff.

Currently online on my website www.abioverland.com, but I will be making an appearance in a variety of markets and events too.

11. and finally, you know that stags head that I bought? would you mind signing it for me, please. :-)

Of course! Let me know when where you want to arrange it and I'll sign it for you!'


And if you happen to be in Jersey on the 28/29 of November, Abi will have a stall at the Simply Christmas Market Set in the unique location of Greve de Lecq Barracks with free parking & free entry.

All images by kind permission of Abi Overland Photography by  Max Burnett 

Guest Blogger Marianne, Nordic Bliss.

I would like to introduce Guest Blogger, Marianne from Nordic Bliss blog and owner of  her online shop,  I'm very excited to be able to have Marianne here today, as I have been following her blog for a while now and watching as her new online venture unfolds,  I'm sure you will find Marianne's  post an inspiration and pleasure to read,  Enjoy!

Hello, my name is Marianne and I've been given the honour to be a guest blogger on Style Space & Stuff, You probably haven't heard of me before so I thought I would start with an introduction. I'm 26 years old and was born in the very North of Norway, up where the sun doesn't shine in the winter and never sets in the summer. After 5 years in Norway our family moved to Sweden, then we moved to Denmark, then we moved back to Sweden, and then (I know, I know, I've written "moved" too many times already) about 5 years ago I decided to move to England to study bringing my Swedish boyfriend with me.

Photographer Ditte Isager

Since then I've finished my studies and gotten married to that Swedish boy. Together we have started to become quite settled here in the UK. Furnishing and decorating our little flat and the rest of the process of creating a home has sparked my interest in interiors and designs. For years I could sit for hours looking through lovely blogs and interior magazines to get inspiration for our own place.

Picture from Alvhem

As I was hunting for pieces for our home I didn't always find what I had in mind and other times when I did find something I liked it was not in a price range of a newly graduated young couple. Being a bit of an optimist who starts projects without realising just how much work is involved I decided to start my own shop - Nordic Bliss (and after convincing my other half that this was a great way to spend our savings). It's our little space online where we sell carefully selected yet affordable products from Nordic brands. I try to focus on smaller brands that are not high street but have potential to become great. So far we have products from Hubsch, Madam Stoltz, Lapland W Design, Ylva Skarp and Shyness.

Pictures from Boligmagasinet and DesignoForm

I've collected a few products that would help keep me warm these cold winter days.

1. Pillow from Fine Little Day 2. Wall paper from Bodie and Fou 3. Teapot and Cup by Höganäs from The Lollipop Shoppe 4. Wool rug from Nordic Bliss 5. Felt basket from Nordic Bliss 6. Log side table from West Elm

It has taken time to find out what "my" style is and of course I have moments when I fall in love with pieces that wouldn't really go well with anything else in our home. But after years of searching I've come to realise that there is a deep rooted Scandi inside me (surprise!). I want white bright rooms - a Scandi cliché perhaps, but as I mentioned - the sun doesn't come up in the winter - we need all the light we can get. Details in natural materials such as cotton and linen and pieces and accents in wood to bring nature inside.

Picture from Livet Hemma (Ikea Live)

I also blog so if you want to see more pictures like these here you are welcome to visit me there.

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Thanks once again to Marianne for kindly agreeing to be my Guest Blogger today.

Guest post, Christina Greve of Divas and Dreams.

Hello everybody, today I am delighted to introduce you to the lovely Christina Greve (who I'm sure needs no introduction)  writer and photographer of Christina Greve's  Photography and Lifestyle  blog.  I first discovered Christians blog  while taking part in the Blogging Your Way course run by Holly Becker (Deco8) back in 2010, and have been an avid fan ever since, and been meaning to have Christina as guest for ages now!

Christina's Blog struck a cord with me, her photography has  such a lovely aesthetic about it, and at the time I had just started an AS level photography course at my local college.  I was very interested in  learning that Christina is a self taught photographer, and her blog  is full of very beautiful  photography that I just love, and,  I am pleased to say that I will be taking part in Christina photography workshop very soon!

So I thought it would be great to have Christina as guest here on Style Space & Stuff (formally This Home Sweet Home) to share with you some of her thoughts on photography, blogging, and running her workshops.  So without further ado I give you Christina Greve,

So Christina welcome to This Home Sweet Home its lovely to finally have you as a guest here.  Make yourself at home and grab a cuppa of your favourite drink....Which is...? 

Coffee - to be exact; nespresso with sugar and creme..lol... I drink to many of those during the day but it makes me happy :-)

Would you mind telling us a little about yourself,  background and what you did before taking up photography?

I´m 37 years old and from Denmark. I take portraits of women only and shoots boudoir and nude too. I love, love, love to photograph women! I have lived abroad for 10 years but we are back in our home town Aarhus now - both me and my husband grew up here, actually we where born in the same apartment building since my parents lived right above his parents. I have never really settled anywhere and I´m always on the search for inspiration. The worst feeling I know is to be bored...lol.. Before I became a full time photographer I had my own psychology clinic and had many great years work with coaching, mindfulness, cognitive therapy and meditation. My background as a therapist has definately helped shape me as the photographer that I have become. Both in relation to my messages and my visual expression, and in the contact with the women that I photograph. Very soon they feel comfortable and relaxed, which is of outermost importance for the pictures to be excellent. Furthermore, I have painted art pictures for many years, and not least my background knowledge of colour, contrast and composition gives me strength, when I work with photography

Have you always had an interest in photography and when did you first discover the love for taking photos.

It started when I was a teenager. I got my own analog camera at 13 after saving for month. I learned everything about developing my own pictures in the darkroom and was very excited, but I really dreamed about being a fashion designer and at the age of only 15 I hosted my own fashion show...lol... I was so ambitious.... but my parents always told me that it was IMPOSSIBLE to make a living by being an artist and only a few "made it" to the top. I know they meant it in a good way and just wanted me to get a good secure education, so after a few years in art school I gave in and gave up believing in myself. I took a good education, I got married and got 3 lovely kids....everything creative seemed fare away and I had to become 35 years old before I found photography again...can you believe that! A few years ago I lost a loved one and during the grieving process I picked up a digital camera. It gave me so much comfort and support during that very hard time in my life and it helped me rediscover how much being creative meant to me.

What kind of camera, lens and equipment do you personally use? 

I shoot with Canon EOS 7D and often have either a Canon 550D or a analog camera as a second one - just to create different perspectives. I´m very close to invest in a Canon 5D but I´m not sure my husband agrees..lol.. other than that I use a reflector and fill boards to help me get good light. Oh and I can´t shoot with out my tripod....it´s just the way it is - I want those tack sharp eyes!

Do you have a favourite time of year/place, space lighting conditions that you like?

I love the time from May until September, the light is wonderful to work in when shooting in natural light only. I struggle a lot during winter because that time of year is very cold and dark in Denmark where I live. At the moment I am preparing myself for the winter by learning to work with strobes - honestly I never thought I would go in that direction but if I want great photos during winter time there is no way around it. At the moment I´m investing in Profoto light which is very expensive but gives beautiful light and done the right way it can look almost as you used daylight. My favorite light to shoot in is in the golden sun - just before the sun goes down, it´s so flattering and beautiful!

I find that quite often , photography and blogging seem go hand in hand  especially with homes and interiors blogs, can you give us, say, 3 or 4 tips for taking a great photo at home, with just a camera to create a  photo for a a blog.  

I can sure try :-)

Find the best/biggest window you have. Make sure to shoot during the day when the light is best but avoid harsh sunshine which will make your pictures really ugly with dark shadows. If the sun is to harsh you can use white curtain/bath curtain to cover for the harsh sun. The more soft light you have available the better. When I do still life or food photography I use a white board to put everything on and I use foam boards/reflectors to eliminate shadows. Here is 9 tips to think about:

1. Ask yourself this “Which story do I wish to tell with this picture? Sometime the story is just about a new pillow that you have made or the color of a pretty apple - the story dosent have to be big. But the story needs to get all the viewers attention.
2. Know that the background can make or brake a photo so remove distraction.
3. Move closer to your subject, frame it with your camera instead of cropping it in Photoshop.
4. Adjust White Balance before you shoot.
5. Avoid harsh shadows - it´s not so pretty.
6. Use natural light as much as you can - no direct flash and no direct sunlight.
7. Play with depth of field and create a sharp focus.
8. Keep moving things in your settings and try different possibilities.
9. Use tripod and a reflector.

Wow, thank you for those 9 great tips!  

Did you find any resources, books ,blogs, magazines etc useful when you first started out?

Oh my I did read a lot of blogs back then to find inspiration, today I don´t have so much time for it anymore. I was very much inspired by flickr and all the amazing photos to find there and I made some great friends from flickr a long the way too who still inspires me today. Today I´m also a huge fan of pinterest and instagram - those site gives me great inspiration too. I also took the e-course blogging your way with Holly from decor8 which really helped me getting to know all I needed to know about blogging. I will truly recommend it to all bloggers.

You've gone on to set your self up as a photographer, specializing in photographing women, but you also have lots of lovely photos on your blog of still life/lifestyle shoots, which do you enjoy more, styling and setting up a still life or styling and setting up to capture the perfect shot of your model?

My favorite thing is for sure to style women up, setting a scene, tell a story and capture their portraits. I do all styling myself except for makeup, so then I hire a makeup artist. I love food photography but it´s not my strongest side, just something I do for fun to relax.

Which brings me on to my next question,  when you are not taking photos how do you like to relax, and do you find it difficult working from home to get the right balance?

Relax what is that? Lol... I work too much and if I don´t work I think about work..haha.. honestly some days I work 12 hours... but I never see it as work, I see it as playing. Most of the time I´m at home in front of the computer doing post processing, preparing workshop material, preparing shoots, doing business, blogging, answering emails ect. So when my kids come home from school I´m always here, I´m always available for them and in the afternoon we often go out on a cafe to drink hot chocolate and chat or we will sit along time around the dinner table talk about things we love. My kids are teenagers and lucky me we have the same strong interest and passion for art, music, photography, film and fashion - so there is never a dull moment at my house. My kids inspire me so much and they are also my best friends. We are a very close family. But if I really need peace I will take a long walk in the woods with my husband and our dog - I love that so much and of course it´s even better if it includes a lunch right after - I just love food :-) or I will get a massage or lay in bed and read magazines...ahhh...

You recently started running your very own Divas and Dreams photography workshop, (which I am really looking forward to taking part in) that must be a great feeling, being able to get to a  point where you can pass on your knowledge to other's.  How is it all going and are you enjoying it?  

I´m so happy that you are joining my workshop - that is fantastic! Thank you so much for that. Well the upcoming workshop is only my second one and it sold out in 4 days. I´m used to teaching from my earlier job, but of course it´s new to me to teach photography. I´m no master at all the technical stuff - yet...smile, but I feel I´m very strong on creativty, working with people, posing, styling, blogging and running a business so on those subjects my students will get great information. Most of the women who join my workshops know me from my blog, they know my personality and my style, so they know I´m no tech nerd, but I do know what is needed to make good pictures and I try my best to teach that in a simple, fun and understandable way. I´m just so grateful to be able to teach so many lovely women about my passion and I always learn from them too - I love that. The workshop is a five week long journey and the one in August is sold out, the next one will be held in November. For those interested they can sign up on my mailing list or join the blog or Facebook. That way they will know the dates as soon s possible. I love teaching so much that I´m preparing brand new material on portrait retouching and it will be released in the end of this year...yay :-)

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Thank you so much Christina for taking the time to join us here today, and sharing with us how you found your way back to photography, and a little about your self and your beautiful photographs.   Its been lovely to have you, and I look forward to taking part in your workshop very soon.