Meet The Foodie Inspired Leeds-based Illustrator Exhibiting at Living North LIVE in York
Leeds-based illustrator Hannah Hunter-Kelm has created a quirky collection inspired by Yorkshire's love for food
Hannah was always painting and drawing as a child. ‘But A Level art kind of killed the joy of it for me for a good few years,’ she admits. She went to university, studied Chinese and lived in Beijing which she says was an amazing experience. ‘After university I found myself in a period of unemployment and extremely bored so I thought I'd go back to something I'd enjoyed at school – linocutting,’ she says. ‘I cut and sold my first linocuts that year and they were well received. After a year working in a publishing company I decided it wasn't for me, so I went to Leeds Arts University to do the Foundation Year and fell in love with the linocut printmaking process and learnt so much. After finishing there I was offered a job teaching printmaking and bookbinding (which I still hold to this day). Meanwhile, I was still sketching and illustrating cards and prints for friends and family.’
She published a book in 2018, 'A Bun in the Oven' – an illustrated guide to the wonders of pregnancy.
‘Overtime this illustrative side of my work has become more of a focus,’ she adds, ‘and I'm enjoying leaning into it more and more.’
Hannah creates playful work that celebrates small moments, found objects and meaningful places, and her style is defined by bold colours and strong linework. Her illustrations start out as a loose sketch which is placed onto a lightbox which she then paints over using either watercolour or acrylic ink. ‘The final touch (and my favourite moment) is when I add all of the outlines in oil pencil,’ she says. ‘For many years I have used my non-dominant hand for some aspects of my drawings as I find it helps me to loosen up and enjoy working in a less pressured way.’
Inspiration for her illustrations can strike at any moment. ‘It can come from a throwaway comment from a friend, a beautiful view, a favourite food – anything,’ she says. ‘I always carry a small notebook with me to jot down ideas. The response has been so positive! I truly did not know that people would find such an affinity with prints of chip butties and Yorkshire puds!’
There is no typical day for Hannah. ‘But it would be something like: dropping the kids at school, going for a run to clear my head and then setting off for my studio which is in Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley,’ she says. ‘Once there, I make a cup of tea and do my admin before starting to draw or paint whatever is on the lightbox for that day. Then it is school pickup, clubs madness and attempting to make a dent in the laundry mountain – parents, you know the drill!’
Hannah’s advice for budding artists is to accept that rejection will be a part of your job. ‘Keep making work that you believe in, and never give up,’ she adds, and that’s exactly what she plans to continue doing. ‘I am so looking forward to expanding my Yorkshire collection to include wild swim spots and landscapes. There is so much beauty in Yorkshire to take inspiration from.’
You can meet Hannah at Living North LIVE at York Racecourse (20th–22nd March). ‘I’ll be there with my Yorkshire collection including my bestselling Yorkshire Tea tea towels,’ she says. ‘I hope to have added some more to the collection by then as well – watch this space!’
– EDITOR’S PICKS –
Running on Parkin limited edition giclée print, from £18
Yorkshire Tea print, from £18
Yorkshire Puds limited edition art print, from £18
QUICK-FIRE QUESTIONS
Is there an item you couldn’t live without?
My sketchbook.
Is there a Yorkshire gallery you love?
Studio Seven and The Art Works (both in Otley) have been so supportive of my work over the years.
Is there an artist who inspires you?
It's got to be Mark Hearld, who inspired a lot of my larger collage landscapes. That man is a genius.
Could you pick a favourite piece of work you've created?
I think it would have to be the large collage landscape I made of our engagement spot in Ireland.
Where's your happy place in Yorkshire?
A secret river swim spot which we take the kids to after school or in the holidays. Lots of happy memories there!
