Illustrator Nat Ellis specialises in creating animal, wildlife and children’s book illustrations. She founded her business Belle & Betty whilst still at university and creates a wide range of products featuring her amazing illustration work including, prints, note books and pin badges. Currently working full time as a graphic designer and illustrator for the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust Nat spends most of her spare time balancing family life with running Belle & Betty.
After graduating with a degree in French, she initially took a more expected academic route before becoming a mother and realising that she wanted to pursue her passion for being a creative. “Educating my little boy changed something in me, I was reading all these fabulous children’s books with gorgeous illustrations and it just struck a chord… I realised I hadn’t achieved what I wanted to in my career. So I started drawing again.” Nat made the brave decision to return to university and retrain as an illustrator. Although acknowledging the difficult balancing act of being a parent and developing her career, she hasn’t looked back since.
One area of interest in Nat’s illustration work is the conservation of wildlife and natural habitats. In her final year of university, she forged a link with the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust by producing illustrations and branding for their 50th anniversary celebration, the Wildchild Festival. On graduating, this led to her current role in their marketing department where she gets to work on a wide range of visual communication projects from illustration work through to appeal campaigns.
This dual experience of working as a designer and illustrator has made Nat realise how much she loves creating things by hand. The happy accidents and imperfections that can happen during the physical process of making is something that continually provides inspiration. Her creative process involves producing sketch books and playing with form and colour on paper rather than confining herself solely to the use of digital software. “I still love pencil, paper and paint. There’s something about a blank computer or iPad screen that can feel like too much pressure to make a mark. I find handmade processes like painting and print making very freeing and an important part of my illustration process.”
Having recently started 1-to-1 coaching with mentor Lisa Hassell from illustration platform Inkygoodness, Nat is now focused on developing her unique illustration style which often features fun, characterful animal portraits and also on creating a children’s picture book. We caught up with her during a rare break in her busy schedule to find out more about how she’s developed throughout her career, coping with creative burn out and what the future holds for Belle & Betty Design.
How did you first become interested in working as an illustrator?
I have always been interested in art since I was a little girl and used to spend hours drawing and copying illustrations by my favourite illustrators including Quentin Blake, Maurice Sendek and Beatrix Potter. At the time it never occurred to me that I could do this as a profession and grew up believing that it was a lovely hobby but nothing more.
It was only after having my son in 2008 that I realised that this was something I wanted to pursue professionally. So, inspired by a range of wonderful children’s book illustrators, I returned to university to study illustration.
Tell us about your journey of how you got to where you are now.
I am still very much in the early days of my career having graduated only a year ago with a degree in Illustration from Staffordshire University. Throughout my studies, I was aware that the design industry is very competitive, especially for women. I therefore entered a wide range of competitions and sought work experience opportunities wherever possible. During my final year, I reached out to local wildlife charity, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. After creating a range of illustrations and brand identity their 50th Anniversary festival, the Wildchild Festival, I was offered a full- time position in their communications and marketing department which is where I currently work. My role involves creating a diverse range of visual communications from illustrations for the education team and Trust magazine through to the design of appeal campaigns.
Alongside my full-time job, I run my business, Belle & Betty which I launched during my degree after gaining a place on Staffordshire Universities start-up programme Be Inspired. Belle & Betty started essentially from a passion project and I currently sell my Belle & Betty merchandise through a few stockists across Staffordshire as well as through Etsy at Belle and Betty Design.
How have you developed your illustration throughout your career?
At the start of my studies my artwork was very controlled and precise. Experimentation, especially in the print room, forced me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to enjoy the creative process. Since graduating, I hadn’t really had the time or opportunity to explore the creative process until I was furloughed from my job at the Trust due to Covid 19. Whilst being furloughed was not easy, I did find the time to experiment creatively again. This has taken my design work for Belle and Betty in a new and exciting direction.
Recently I have signed up for 1-to-1 coaching with Lisa Hassell from Inky Goodness. This has helped me to really focus on my goals an illustrator, what I aspire to achieve and how to go about it.
What do you enjoy most about being an illustrator?
I love the freedom of being an illustrator. Each piece of work is a new challenge which ensures that the job is interesting and exciting.
All of my work for Belle & Betty is self-initiated, so whilst I have to spend time researching design trends, I get to draw whatever I fancy. At the moment I am having fun playing about with the concept of cats doing yoga.
Do you ever suffer with creative burn out and how have you managed this?
At the start of this 2020, I found myself in a design rut. My original Belle & Betty illustrations of realistic cats and dogs were not really inspiring me anymore. Essentially, I no longer really enjoyed creating things for my own little business which had been meant to be my passion project. In fact, I came very close to closing it all down.
Skillshare classes really helped me to get out of this rut. I started to complete projects without any pressure of what I would do with them. This essentially formed the basis of my newest range of designs and my new-found direction. Most importantly, I am having so much fun creating and am planning many new ranges to launch in the new year.
How has being a woman impacted your career?
Being a woman has impacted my career, but this is mainly due to becoming a mother. My studies were completed on a part time basis and I currently work hours that revolve around my child. Whilst I know that this is my choice, it is still very much engrained in society that women take care of the children whilst men continue to progress with their career.
How has being a designer influenced you as a mother?
Being a designer has made me encourage my child, Harry, to express his creativity and to have a creative outlet. When he was little, this was through arts and craft projects, reading, music, playing and visiting cultural places. My main goal throughout this was to encourage him to explore and embrace his creativity without a fear of failure. Now Harry is almost a teenager he has discovered his own creative outlets which is perhaps the most exciting part of all.
If you could go back to the beginning and start your career again what would tell your younger self?
Ideally, I would love to tell my younger self not to be scared. It took me years to build up the courage to realise that I wanted to be an illustrator. I was anxious that I wouldn’t be good enough and that at 34 I was too old to return to university. In the end none of these factors really mattered, and furthermore they meant that I wasted a lot of time in jobs that I did not enjoy.
Do you have any words of advice for women considering a career in design today?
I would tell any women considering a career in design to go for it! It will not necessarily be an easy ride but as long as you are passionate about it, you will find your place. It is also so important to build up a creative community around yourself; a network where you can inspire and support each other. Since graduating university, my creative community has become very important – essentially, we are passionate about the same things!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?
Within the next five years, I would love to think that I will have reached a stage where I can work freelance on my own projects full- time. Since starting with 1-to-1 coaching, I have become very invested in Belle & Betty and have created new lines which have been very popular. I am also becoming more strategic and have a business plan for 2021 (a very out of character move for me!). I am also in the planning stages of a picture book for young children, so watch this space.
Which female design icons have most inspired you?
There are so many female icons who have inspired and continue to inspire me. I am unable to pick just one, but currently, illustrator Charly Clements, who runs popular Skillshare classes, is brilliant for colour palette inspiration.
Designer and creator of #meetthemaker, Joanne Hawker, for being a champion of independent makers and providing a hugely influential platform for makers to showcase their work.
Illustrator, Katie Abey, for creating quirky, fun and colourful illustrations that question social norms and promote mental health conversations.
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