In the final part of my 10th Anniversary celebratory series, I'm looking back at the milestones that have shaped my business, turning a love of discovery and curiosity into art. Creating snapshots for our home so that even at our busiest, we can escape into an adventure with a single glance. Art that can act as a mirror to transport us to the sparkling ocean blues, turquoise breezes and the golden sands of a tropical beach or the sprawling vista and hum of an iconic city laid out before you. Everyday escapes from the rhythm of our busy world.
This post covers my first five milestones - look out for the next five in part two.
1 Making the leap from daydream to business: how it all began
Whilst travelling on the tube between meetings, an informal chat with a colleague sparked my idea for an online shop, setting me off on the South Island Art journey!
During a weekend of countryside and coastal walks in North East England with Mr R, fresh air and sweeping, dramatic views gave us the space to really dream. The idea grew from modern art focused on London, to a whole travel-themed shop. Back home, my family helped clarify my core concept of destination-based art that would be perfectly matched to a home's aesthetic. I dreamt of collections that would include architecture, beaches, florals and even a kids' series with imagined landscapes. Conversation-starter pieces that would transform our homes into sanctuaries filled with memories and connection.
2 100 Days, 100 Landmarks
I created my first big collection, 100 Days of London, through a personal challenge I set myself to draw 100 London landmarks over 100 days. From quiet, local gems like Dulwich Picture Gallery and London mews, to soaring, architectural buildings such as The Shard, this series was made for creating fabulous gallery walls.
To make styling effortless, I designed 10 colour palettes to run through the collection. Each one was based on high-end interior paint tones (think Farrow & Ball and Little Greene Paint Company), ensuring that whether you wanted a bold statement or a calming oasis, you could mix and match to your heart's content with pieces that would sit harmoniously on your walls.
The London Anniversary Collection
To celebrate a decade of South Island Art, this year I will be releasing 50 London landmarks in freshly curated colourways, as well as brand-new locations. As always, there will be limited-edition releases, with my community getting the first look. Join my mailing list to be the first to bring the new collection to your space.
3 Going from canvas to stall – the day South Island Art really began
I always think of my first event – Tootopia – as the real start of my business. Taking my paintings, prints and products and getting real-life, real-time feedback was an experience like nothing else, and still is today. I can still recall the scents of different street food breezing through the doors, hearing the sizzle of burgers on grills in the pub garden and just how incredibly nervous I was!
That event – and everyone who visited that day – ignited my love for trading at curated markets, leading to events with SoLo Craft Fair, Illustrator's Fair and Crafty Fox Market, amongst others! It's been a decade of hearing and swapping so many memories and travel stories, from foodie highlights in Boston to holidays with Grandma in Whitstable, or simply reminiscing about homes past and present. A decade of seeing the smiles of customers as memories are sparked while browsing and purchasing. Making lifelong friends all connected through a love for place and craftsmanship.
4 Showcasing at the British Library with Crafty Fox
As an avid reader, the opportunity to trade at The British Library with Crafty Fox Market was a dream come true. Standing in the home of books, surrounded by stories, I couldn't stop looking up and marvelling at the interior architecture and the wall of books I could just about see on the floor above.
One of the most magical feelings when you run your own business is finding your community. That special place where everything just clicks, from the other businesses you work with or alongside, the shoppers, to your products. And that's exactly how I felt the entire time trading at The British Library.
5 Story of Us: Mapping a Life Together
An off-the-cuff comment led to the creation of my most popular bespoke concept – Storyline Skylines. Mr R and I were considering a print of a couple walking along Southbank for our home. Whilst it reminded us of our favourite walk together, Mr R laughed and commented that the couple didn’t really look like us. And that is the story of how The Story of Us came to be!
The idea evolved from illustrating a silhouette of ourselves walking along Southbank to creating a skyline of places important to us, first dates, first holiday, and funny moments. You can see the finished piece here. Some of those places no longer exist, so to have them in our print helps preserve those memories forever. And when we have visitors to our home, it never fails to bring smiles and start conversations.
Since that very first skyline, I’ve been commissioned to create bespoke skylines as a wedding gift for a family in Australia (now a series, see below!), as an engagement gift for a couple in London, and as milestone birthday presents. It’s so special to have a landscape, and be involved in creating it, where every single element is filled with meaning, from the place people met to romantic wedding venues and breathtaking honeymoons.
Stay tuned for Part 2 - how South Island Art has grown and developed. And in the meantime, you can browse the 10th Anniversary collection here.