Artist Interview: The Art Room

Hi everyone. My name is Hayley and for the past few years I've been building up a range of limited edition screenprints for kids rooms under the name The Art Room. It started with an ambitious project - a large lion print for my daughters room - I didn't stop at one and I printed 35 of them! I followed that with a Seal and Giraffe print. They went so well I've carried on and my new range is all about Storybook characters. So far there is the Owl & Pussycat and just launched is Little Red Riding Hood & the Wolf. In between big print runs I've started doing little gift cards and cute stamp sets too... there is always a new project on the go.

What can people expect to see from you on the day? At the Fair I'll be bringing my original prints, some teatowels, gift cards and stamp sets. I've had a digital range printed (in smaller sizes - A4 and A3) of the original limited edition prints and I'll have those available too. My friend Ingrid is a fantastic sewer - we've collaborated and she has made Red Riding Hood and Wolf toys. You'll be able to get the matching set - toys and print! I'm working on a set of Christmas gift cards so if all goes well they'll be launched at the Fair.

Do you have any future plans for your work, could you describe them? Future plans include adding to the Storybook Series, finishing a range of Christmas cards and trying my hand at fabric printing. Fabric printing has been in the pipeline for a while so I'm looking forward to giving it a go. I think it will be a simple pattern to start with and maybe for adults this time... I'd like to be able to sew up some cushions, pillowcases and try getting a light shade made.

Where are your favourite places on-line? Favourite sites include designsponge http://www.designsponge.com/, print and pattern, http://printpattern.blogspot.com/ and Melissa's blog from tinyhappy. http://www.tinyhappy.typepad.com/

I'm always check the New Zealand printmakers site too for any new ideas. http://nzprintmakers.blogspot.com/

What do you enjoy doing when you aren't busy making your wares? I'm a Mum first and that takes up most of my time :). I also work two days a week for a magazine company as a graphic designer so I just try and fit in printmaking around that.  I love heading out on the water whenever I can and spending weekends out of Auckland - somewhere quiet...