Hi, I’m Hannah, Suffolk based Illustrator, and the face and (right) hand behind Hannah Weeks Illustration (HWI) and Sandpaper Kisses – the two branches of my business.
The main branch of my business, keeps me busy with wholly bespoke, custom illustration commissions – I draw everything from wedding portraits and stationery to family portraits, pet portraits and illustrations for individual businesses. Sandpaper Kisses is my ready-to-buy print shop where I sell fun alphabet illustrations and quirky animal drawing on Etsy.
I have loved drawing, for as long as I can remember!
As I grew up, a mixture of pressure to carve out a “proper” career for myself and being given, perhaps…not the most suitable advice for myself, personally, I went to De Montfort in Leicester to study contour Fashion Design (that’s bra and knicker design). I did well and mostly enjoyed the course, but I now realise that the modules I most relished were the illustration classes. It was during these lessons that I was first introduced to digital illustration – and I loved it!
Upon graduating, in pursuit of my career goal I moved to North Yorkshire, having got a job designing lingerie for Marks and Spencer and Boux Avenue. But, came to learn that the fashion world wasn’t for me, long term. After four years of invaluable experience, I longed to get back to what I loved – all I wanted to do was draw. So, I made the leap to self employment and started over as a Freelance Illustrator. It was a brave decision, and it hasn’t been easy, but I have never looked back. At times, my friends and family may have thought I was mad to leave a secure job, but they can see how happy I am and the pleasure it gives me bringing people’s ideas to life!
I started taking wedding stationery commissions and for nearly eight years, the business has grown and evolved from there. Now I draw anything and everything, but what I most love to draw is people and pets. I get a huge kick out of drawing details that are personal to my clients – and there’s nothing better than receiving positive feedback from my customers when they first see the preview of their portrait or project.
Four years ago I moved back to my homeland, Suffolk and for a couple of years now I have worked a couple of days a week as a Gardener. I enjoy the happy mix developing my green-fingered knowledge alongside my business – it’s a wonderful, complimentary “side hustle” that keeps my mind clear and actually aids in my creativity. I am always thinking about the next idea and can see me merging the two disciplines one day…watch this space…
Makers Market From Home has helped me “meet” lots of other creatives – I feel part of a wonderful community of great folk. It has even seen me beat my fear of speaking online…I can now been found regularly chatting away on IG stories!
Watch Hannah’s interview on our IGTV channel here.
Visit Hannah’s website hannahweeks.co.uk
Her Sandpaper Kisses print shop can be found on Etsy etsy.com/uk/shop/SandpaperKissesShop
Instagram @hannahweeksillustration
Sandpaper Kisses Instagram @sandpaperkissesshop