1. Tell us a bit about yourself and your practice
Since childhood I have been doing creative projects in my spare time – illustrating, embroidery, painting etc. In 2022 I graduated from my first formal art training, an MA in Children’s Picturebook Illustration from Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge. During the MA I discovered a love of painting, especially of gardens and natural landscapes. Currently, I divide my time between working on picture book illustration, and painting – creating prints, zines and cards.
2. Tell us more about your studio and ways of working
I am very lucky that my studio has some big glass windows looking out over gardens and trees, so it feels like working inside a treehouse. People always ask me if I paint from real life on location, but to be honest I almost never do this. My current method of working is to collect photos from places I visit and then, when at home, do sketches combining and emphasising or minimising elements from the photos to try and reflect my experience of the place. I especially love bringing out a strong sense of light.
3. What inspired your greetings cards in the Kettle’s Yard Shop?
I had already done some cards for the Botanic Gardens in Cambridge, and love visiting Kettle’s Yard, so I reached out to the shop team at the gallery to ask if they might be interested in something. The cottage garden is so special, like the house it’s intimate, natural, and decorated with light. And the yellow deck chairs in St Peter’s churchyard seem almost iconic! It is such a heavenly, secret spot in the summer with bright sunshine falling through the huge trees to create the perfect dappled light and shady refuge from the city.
4. Why did you want to collaborate with Kettle’s Yard?
A long time ago I studied at the University of Cambridge, and during that time I would often visit Kettle’s Yard – it was one of my favourite places. I never imagined one day the shop would be selling my artwork, it feels like a dream come true!
5. If you had to buy yourself a gift from the Kettle’s Yard Shop, what would you choose?
I have always loved the colours, minimalism, and loose shapes of Ben Nicholson’s 1927 (apples and pears) painting, so probably a print of that!
Shop Cathy Eliot Cards
Cathy Eliot Cards
Cathy Eliot is a local, Cambridge-based illustrator and picturebook maker. This range of greetings cards focus on the garden of Kettle’s Yard house and churchyard of neighbouring St Peter’s church. The cards are plastic free with recyclable packaging.
Kettle's Yard Shop
Visit the Kettle's Yard house
