Inky fingers, folk art, and a strong cup of Joe – it’s all in a days work for Hello Marine.
Describing her work as ‘bold, colourful and joyful’, Hello Marine, a.k.a Marine Gentils, is a French illustrator and printmaker based in the UK. Having worked with brands and publications such as Lacoste, Time Out and Penguin, her new collection branches out into the world of textiles with a range of limited edition designer cushions exclusive to Heal’s.
We wanted to see the self confessed ‘pattern lover’ in her natural habitat, so popped down to her seaside studio to talk screen printing, Matisse and her phobia of dull colours.
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Tell us about the first piece you ever designed?
My first ever textile piece is actually very very recent and is still on my website. It’s a cushion with a cactus pattern.
Describe an average day in the studio
My studio is in Brighton, a beautiful, light space that I share with other creative, an atmosphere I finds really inspiring.
I always start my studio day with a cup of coffee. This is essential! After that I begin by sketching on paper and collecting images – anything that starts to trigger ideas. I’m also never without my colour schemes sketchbook and religiously collect combinations for future reference.
What is the inspiration behind your work?
My inspirations are constantly evolving, but the work of people like Margaret Kilgallen, Sonia Delaunay and folk art is a constant. It’s really hard for me to pin point precisely who as I’m a very curious person and always looking for new sources of inspiration.
I suppose if I had to choose one hero I would say Matisse. The instinctive quality, the boldness, the colours, the scale, I love it all!
Do you have a preferred material or process?
The screen printing process is just amazing. The way you are always surprised by the results is very satisfying and addictive. It’s just refreshing to put an apron on and get messy with inks as opposed to work digitally.
Everyone has a personal reaction to colour, are there any you instinctively avoid?
Most of my work is usually bright. I’ve only recently started working with monochrome and I was actually really pleased with the result. That’s not what I naturally go for though, I had to make a conscious effort to tame my love for bold colours.
How would you describe your new range for Heal’s?
My cushions have been designed with summer in mind and everything we long for in the winter. The light, bright colours, the flowers and plants. Mexican art and native patterns have been a major source of inspiration and there is definitely a folk art vibe behind the range, but adding a modern edge within the boldness and colours.
Further Reading:
www.hellomarine.com