Pre-kiddy days, quite a while ago now, me and Mr.H went to Copenhagen with our friends TJ and E. We loved that city. Our friend TJ took us on a very long walk around the city on the Saturday. We soon ended up in a cute corner of Copenhagen where a design store full of cute things caught my eye. This is where I first saw Ingela P Arrhenius’ work; her friendly and content Lion print. Mr. H liked it too but we didn’t buy the poster at the time.
Then a couple of years later when we found out I was pregnant for the first time, as a surprise, Mr.H bought two of Ingela’s prints as a gift for our baby. The Tiger and the Lion prints have been up in Big Munch’s bedroom ever since she was born. We also have the matching plates for dinner time! Her baby sister has the Animal Party print up in her room. They’re beautiful pictures and the colours feel so calm and happy.
So at the weekend, as she’s one of our family’s favourite illustrators and graphic designers, I contacted Ingela via her website to see if she would like to be featured on the Lucky Things blog. It obviously made my day when I saw her name pop up in my inbox.
Enjoy reading Ingela’s interview just for Lucky Things…
Hi Ingela, what are your 3 lucky things about where you live?
I live in an apartment in Stockholm. We moved here last Summer after living in a house in a suburb for 12 years. I live with my husband and my two sons, who are 14 and 18 years old. My favourite things about my home is is that the apartment is on the top floor so I can see the sky when I sit in the sofa, I love my big bookshelf in the living room and I love that the area is crowded with shops, restaurant and cafés – a nice contrast to the quiet suburb life.
What encouraged you to start your own business? What challenges did you have to overcome to get it going?
When I graduated from art school I had the chance to be part of a well-known illustrator group in Stockholm. I couldn’t say no to that offer. I just had to set up my own business and get started. So there weren’t that many challenges, as I shared studio with experienced illustrators and so I could get their advice if I had any problems.
Ingela P Arrhenius; Porträtt; 2015; Illustratör;
What’s the inspiration for your designs?
Flea market findings. Old children’s book. Art museum visits. Running.
What advice do you have for parents or carers who want to encourage their little people to have fun with art?
Make sure you have a lot of art materials at home. So it is easy to be creative.
What’s your motto when things get a bit tough?
“It could always be worse” or “everyday is a gift”. Depending on the issue.
What’s your favourite childhood memory?
I can’t pick one but the feeling of having a long summer school break was wonderful.
What would your dream weekend be?
A dream weekend contains spinning (I do that a lot), a big breakfast (it must include scrambled eggs and avocado), a long walk through town to the Modern Museum, coffee and pastry at a cafe, a movie (my new years resolution was to go to the movies more often) and dinner with friends. I know it sounds a bit clichéd but to me that’s perfect.
What music and tunes are you listening to at the moment?
M83, Sufjan Stevens, Beatrice Eli, Pet Shop Boys.
What are your 3 lucky things?
My family, France, my work, exercising. Sorry, that was four.
Thank you Ingela, your email reply made my week! Enjoy lots of lucky things….
Check out her Instagram: @ingelaparrhenius
Ingela’s artwork doesn’t just appear on posters. They can be found on children’s tin tea sets to stacking animal dolls. If you’d like to check out some of Ingela’s beautifully designed gifts and UK stockists, check out these websites.
Some of the photos for this post have been used with permission from Ingela P Arrhenius.
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‘It always gets worse’, love that motto, I need to remember it! Great interview and I love her style, your lion print is really cute. That is definitely a creative person’s office right there! #justanotherlinky
Thanks From Day Dot. Ingela is so inspiring, I was really honoured to feature her and her beautiful designs on Lucky Things. It’s nice how her sons have started to appreciate her talent! x #justanotherlinky
I prob those prints, and what a lovely story of how you came to know Ingela! A great read! X
wow what cute designs and love to hear that flea markets inspire her artwork 🙂 I love markets and carboots and there are so many cool finds to be…found?! thanks for joining #fortheloveofblog hope you can come back next week!
Isn’t Ingela a cool artist? Great to hear that something as everyday as flea markets inspires her work. I love a good car boot too. My favourite ones are in Devon! Nice hanging out at #fortheloveofBLOG