In 2020 I followed the training 'Get more work out of your illustrations' by art director Monique van der Vlist. For twelve weeks I worked on my work, together with other illustrators. And then not with content or technique, but with the story of me and my illustrations. What dreams do I have and what do I need to make them come true? What characterizes my style and how do I want to be seen by the world? It was a very interesting training and also really nice to meet other illustrators.
It's been two years now, but the word that has stuck with me the most when it comes to my work is 'Hygge'. Hygge (pronounced Hoega) The Danish art of living, resembles 'our' coziness, although hygge goes further. Candles, hot drinks, big thick scarves, going into the forest and being kind to yourself are important elements.
The internet is full of what hygge is, and for a while it was quite a buzzword (I wrote about it too) a blog over in 2018). Now the hype seems to be over and I feel like hygge can just be hygge again. Because in Denmark it really is the most normal thing in the world to advertise with 'hyggelige' socks 🙂
And how wonderful! The most hyggelig period of the year has arrived! Because it is autumn and the clock is set to winter time. The birch trees that I look out on from behind my desk have already lost their leaves; they form a beautiful ochre-yellow carpet in the garden. And my favorite scarf is never more than an arm's length away from me.
To clarify the concept a bit more, here are my autumn/winter hygge top 5:
I am a big fan of audiobooks. That is how the Christmas and new hygge cards came about with Harry Potter – read by Stephen Fry – in my ears.
Now I was already a big fan of Denmark and now I have fully embraced hygge, also when it comes to my work. Not that I spend all day drawing warm socks, but that I ask myself with everything I draw whether it fits.
Last spring I made a series of seven illustrations; hygge in spring/summer. Including a teapot inspired by Danish design, a beautiful enamel jug with flowers, a retro typewriter with a latte on the side and a nice cottage in the countryside with chickens in the garden. And now four autumn/winter cards have been added. You can find all of them in the shop .
I am very happy with the result of the training and with my 'word'. It is a coat rack, a compass and a state of mind at the same time.