It’s #Maker Monday. Our newly revamped feature where we speak to the artists behind your favourite prints and design goodies. What inspired them to become artists, where they studied, their favourite coffee spots and much more.
This week sees the launch of the Glasgow School of Art Degree Show (GSA). We love our annual trips to check out what’s new and exciting emerging from the Scottish Art Schools. It’s on until the 9th of June so do get along if you get the chance.
We’ve worked with so many alumni of GSA over the years. Today we get to find out a little bit more about Ellie Hodeson of East End Press. We’ve stocked Ellie’s beautiful work since 2016. You’ll know her work for its bright and bold screen printed style. Her work is very much inspired by Flora & Fauna, Tropical Birds and the odd wee Scottish gem. Our customer can’t get enough of her wee Screen Printed Piper Decoration.
What Do You Love Most About What You Do?
I love working for myself, and having control over what I do. Watching my business grow is extremely satisfying and rewarding, and I get a lot of fulfilment from my work. I love being able to play with colour and draw and design products, and feel so fortunate that this is my job.
Where Did You Study And Why?
I studied Visual Communication at Glasgow School of Art. I’m originally from a small town in Dorset, on the south coast of England, and when I left school I wanted to move away and experience living somewhere new, so knowing Glasgow had a good art school and great creative scene, it seemed a good option.
Where Do You Base Yourself & Why?
After I graduated I spent a few years travelling and living abroad before returning to Glasgow in 2015, and I still live and work here now. I had no set plan of where I wanted to live, and was returning to Scotland from New Zealand, so I think I was drawn back to Scotland because I wanted to be close to the countryside but also be in a big city with lots of opportunities. Also a lot of my friends were still living in Glasgow, and its an affordable city to live in if you’re starting a business.
What Do You Like To Do When Escaping Work? Where’s Your Favourite Coffee Spot?
I think a lot of my interests naturally cross over into my work, so theres quite a blurred line where work ends and fun begins. I love to travel and explore new places, I love colour and designing new things and I’m very fortunate to have been able to combine these things into my business and so into my day to day work.
Ellie is currently travelling in Mexico. Check out her Instagram for lots of gorgeous and inspiring photos of her Mexican Adventure.
My favourite coffee spot is maybe East on Duke Street, as its probably the closest thing I have to a local coffee spot! In all honestly I guess as an escape I’d probably pick the pub over a coffee shop anyway – a g&t calms me down far more than a coffee after a busy day!
I think possible my screen printed garlands are my favourites – they are the first product I really worked hard at getting just right, and finding quality manufacturers that I could work with to produce the garlands in larger quantities.
The garlands started life as just another thing that I made in the studio but they were really popular, and I couldn’t keep up with demand while making the product in Glasgow. I then worked really hard (and experienced some real bumps in the road) finding just the right printer to make the garlands for me. They are still entirely hand printed and made, and I’m proud to only work with ethical, fair trade manufactures that I’ve personally met, but I now have the ability to make them in much larger quantities.
What Advice Would You Give Your Younger Self?
To work hard and keep going! I think grit and determination gets you just as far as talent or ability, if not further. Also I wish I’d felt more confident to make bigger decisions and changes in my business sooner- I learned pretty quickly I wasn’t able to keep on top of orders and make everything myself, yet it was years before I seriously started to look at outsourcing the production. I never felt ready, but in hindsight I think a lot of that was confidence in my work and my products.
Who’s Your Favourite Artist at The Red Door and what would be your Top Purchase?
I love Charlotte Farmer’s work, and have some of her prints in my flat hallway. To be honest any screen printer has a bit of my heart, because I know what a faff and load of hard work screen printing (or any hand printing really!) is.
I also love Ark Colour Design’s work- the way they draw shapes, especially the human form, really appeals to me.
We’d like to thank Ellie for taking the time to let us get to know her a little bit more. Keep your eyes peeled across our social media for more Glasgow School of Art Alumni this week.
