Back in May when I started the planning for the Autumn Winter range (my favourite season FYI) I knew I wanted to feature an artist. In case you don't know, painting is my absolute passion in life. In particular I love portraits and figures but like most working parents I've not picked up a paint brush and painted for pleasure in around 2 years. I crave it, and it's my own fault for not blocking out time to make sure this happens. I wanted to create this collection with this in mind, featuring an artist that reflected the brand but who's art I also l loved.
I came across Mandy pre pandemic when my friend Gill bought a print from her and showed it to me. It captured so many things that I loved in the one image. I loved the fact she was focusing on the female form with a strong emphasis on curves an angles. But that it could also be capturing our Scottish landscape with the changing colours and rolling hills and mountains.
Mandy Maria (Reid-Foster) is a multi-disciplined illustrator and designer from Aberdeen. She now lives in the Southside of Glasgow with her husband, son and Caper the wildcat.
When she's not drawing, she is one half of the design studio Submarine with her husband, where they specialise in branding, web design and print design.
She says 'I’ve been creative from an early age, using paint brushes, pens & pencils, and anything else that came to hand. I’ve always worked with bold colours and for a long time my main inspiration has been the human form, which is maybe down to my Italian heritage! This continues to be true, but my practice and inspiration has developed to include an appreciation of nature and a love of drawing textures & the smallest details.'
When we met we instantly clicked. With our kids the same age and a mutual understanding of the challenges that being creative whilst running a business has we had so much to discuss.
Mandy's modelling debut was flawless. With our amazing friends at Otago Street Collective doing the shoot, she was instantly put at ease and the photos were perfect.
If you are new to Mandy and her artwork then please check out her website here. Please add her on socials here. She is based in the Barrowlands in Glasgow and has a beautiful print shop you can visIt where I am certain she and her husband will give you a warm invite when you pop by.
g x
