artist spotlight: vibeke hoie

Today's artist spotlight comes to you all the way from Norway....NORWAY!! I was so happy when Vibeke contacted me--I am in love with her artwork! She is so talented, and her shop and blog are some of the cutest that I've seen!

You said you have been doing this for 6 years? How did you get started?

Well, I have been working as an illustrator/ graphic designer for over 10 years now, 6 of them freelance.

I finished my BA in illustration in Kent Institute of Art and Design (Kent, England) in 1999 (Woww..that sounded ages ago!)

And then I moved back to Norway, and started working in an adverticing agency called M&L in Stavanger. Working there was great - and it taught me a great deal

that you don`t learn while you studying. Like how to communicate with your clients, keeping them and yourself happy..and working under a thight deadline.

But when I had my first baby - it was time to pursue the dream of working freelance. Which was great to combine with beeing a stay at home mum. In Norway we get almost a year maturnety leave - so it gave me plenty of time to work on my own things while the little one was sleeping. Now that my second baby is almost 4 years it is time for me to get a studio of my own, so that I get to leave the house a bit more:) ( I am going crazy staying at home all the time!! ..he he ...eventhough there are wonderful podcast and webpages to keep me company e.g. www.escapefromillustrationisland.com has great podcasts with interviews of illustrators, designers etc.)

I have always loved to draw and paint, it has always been my favourite thing to do!

And I remember as a child I made stories and illustrated them. (quite funny to look back at).

During one of the first days at Kent institute, our main tutor gave us a lecture about what was expected of us..that we had to draw draw draw..where ever we went we had to bring a sketch book, and whatever we did, whatever we saw, we had to draw...and I could wait to get started. The 3 years at Kent was some of the most exciting years of my life....I learned soo much and had soo much fun!

Becoming a mum was also one of the most inspiering things that has happended to me, and the two little ones lead me into childrens book illustration.

Her children's prints are my fav..... Norwegian Alphabet anyone? (she can do english too:)

What is your favorite thing in your shop?

My favourite thing is the normally the most recent illustration, because that is freshest...and I havn`t had time to get tired of it yet...he he..

I need a baby boy....for this print

What are your other hobbies?

I dont think I have any other "hobbies"..my work include drawing, painting, sewing, gluing, photography, reading, it is diverse...so it keeps me busy and entertained.

Oh..by the way ..I sometimes knit ( I don`t know the right word for it...you know when you "knit" with one needle called Crochet..do you know what I mean??)

customizable welcome!

What do you listen to while creating?

Right now I am very into :

Angus & Julia Stone

Brandi Carlile

Catherine Feeny

Because I am a food lover....what is your favorite thing to eat?

I love anything with lots of vegetables....and anything at my favourite "local" restaurant "Ostehuset".

I love baking with my kids.....

loving all her bird prints too!

For our giveaway today, Vibeke is offering up a print of your choice (how will you choose?!!)

Please hurry over to her cute little shop and leave a comment with your favorite print.

One winner will be chosen at random and comments will be accepted until Sunday, 6/20 at midnight, and the winner will be announced Monday.
Tell your friends about this one.....they will not want to miss out!

Tweet/facebook/or blog and come back for an extra entry for each!

(if you don't have a blog, please leave an email address)

go!