Hattie is an illustator currently based in Leeds, UK.
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Hiya Hattie. Can you tell us a little bit about your tape and your song selections?
Hello! Yep, I sure can. My playlist is called ‘Bouncing Soles’ (a nod to the Doc Martens I wear nearly everyday). The concept is a bunch of songs I play (really) loud on a walk home from the studio; whether it's to lift my mood after a rubbish day or to boost my already happy feeling! They're poppy, feel-good, vibrant songs with some real classics thrown into the mix. This playlist is definitely needed at the moment. January is always my least favourite time of the year. I’m missing the sunshine and it’s harder to get up in the dark mornings so anything to get me up and going is welcome.
What direction did you take with your cover art, and what was your process?
In response to the tunes, I wanted my illustration to radiate positivity, warmth and make up for the MIA sunshine. I started filling my sketchbook pages with big doc martens, bouncy people and sunny shapes. I then started playing with a half sun, half bouncy ball character for some reason! I just wanted to have fun. The result is a bouncy yellow character, marching home, with a spring in their steps. Why not? The record-like fields was a happy accident!
What are your fave album covers, records with a great music and artwork combo, or musical projects with a visual component?
One of my all-time favourite album covers is Colour It In. This is the first album from the Maccabees. It’s full of great songs, charm and for me, heaps of nostalgia. I adore the wobbly, slightly odd-looking characters on the cover. I have this illustration on the back of a much loved and overworn sweatshirt. It’s a vinyl I’m desperate to add to my collection, but not an easy one to come by!
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Colour It In – The Maccabees
2015, Fiction Records
Artwork: Go de Jong
Colour It In – The Maccabees
2015, Fiction Records
Artwork: Go de Jong
I guess this is following a theme, but The Gritterman from Orlando Weeks is a beautiful piece of music, illustration and narrative. It’s a book about a lovely Gritterman, accompanied by an album of songs from Orlando and Narration from Paul Whitehouse. It feels cosy and wintery and I love to listen to it every year in the build-up to Christmas. I have a print above my bed of the Gritterman illustration below -
The Gritterman [excerpt] – Orlando Weeks
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‘Chaise Longue’ [single] – Wet Leg
2021, Domino
2021, Domino
How cool is this cover for Wet Leg’s ‘Chaise Longue’ ? I love their deadpan attitude and how their personality comes through in their artwork and music. Effortlessly cool. I just had to include them (I would also like to be their friend)!
What did you listen to growing up?
I wish I had a better answer for this. Growing up as a 90s kid there was plenty of Spice Girls, Steps and Vengaboys. I can vividly remember the CD covers and the shiny little fold-out booklets that came with them.
Randomly, I also remember listening to Now 44 on repeat. It included gems like ‘That Don't Impress Me Much’, ‘Blue (Da Ba Dee)’ and ‘Mambo No 5’. 1999 was a strong year for music.
Other than some top-notch 90s pop I aslo loved listening to The Kinks (a band I adore today) and hearing my dad play the likes of The Beatles, Billy Joel and The Beach Boys… all the good vibrations!
And what’s on heavy rotation for you at the moment?
Although only four songs have been released, I keep playing Wet Leg on repeat. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been so excited for a debut album. Bring on April!
Friends That Break Your Heart from James Blake is a beauty of an album and it’s had some serious plays from me over the last couple of months. The latest alum from Orlando Weeks Hop Up is a cracking album too, a definite grower. It’s been the soundtrack of my week.
I’ve also been enjoying listening to lots of Joy Crookes and Khruangbin too!
What’s happening in your creative world at the moment?
I’ve had a busy start to the year so far. January is not my favourite and it usually takes me a while to warm up. There’s been a lot of planning, with a new website on the way and some ideas in the pipeline. I’m getting there!
I’m currently working on some really fun character-based work for an event in Leeds next month. I’m also trying to find as much time as possible to get messy with some ink. I love spending time self initiating illustrations, ideas and projects.
I’ve had a busy start to the year so far. January is not my favourite and it usually takes me a while to warm up. There’s been a lot of planning, with a new website on the way and some ideas in the pipeline. I’m getting there!
I’m currently working on some really fun character-based work for an event in Leeds next month. I’m also trying to find as much time as possible to get messy with some ink. I love spending time self initiating illustrations, ideas and projects.
Where can we find you?
My website is hattieclark.com excitedly, a new website is currently in the works! My social handle is @hattieclark_ (across Twitter and Instagram)
Cheers Hattie 👋🏽
My website is hattieclark.com excitedly, a new website is currently in the works! My social handle is @hattieclark_ (across Twitter and Instagram)
Cheers Hattie 👋🏽