Pickle Illustration
Finding your style as a duo, larger than life illustration and learning to balance finance with fun
Published 16th May 2022
INTRODUCTION
We are ‘The Pickles’ (Formally known as Pickle Illustration), Birmingham-based illustrators and public artists. We specialise in public art and murals as well as accompanying print and digital outcomes too such as maps and website assets.
Some of our most recent projects include projected animated maps on sides of buildings, an 8 piece larger than life grasshopper trail and giant community colour by numbers. At Pickle, we take joy seriously and believe in the immense power of colour and creativity to improve mood and wellbeing. We like to ensure all of our work is designed with people in mind and are passionate about using illustration to spark conversations, spread joy and communicate to audiences.
How do you both like your pickles? Genuine question…
Lauren: Oh a big dollop of tartar sauce on a fish finger sandwich is a CLASSIC way to encounter a pickle. If not that, then just any other way please and thank you, I’m not fussy!
Liv: I’m very inclined to eat one straight out of the jar or if we’re speaking any type of pickle, I'm big on the sauerkraut/kimchi hype if that counts.
© Pickle Illustration - Rocket Round Leicester
We know you’re both fantastic illustrators (lucky enough to have first-hand experience), but could you tell us what got you interested in the craft and why you love it so much?
Lauren: Aw thanks guys! Definitely accidentally. I thought illustration was just for children's books growing up so I focused my attention towards graphic design. Suddenly I realised I had NOT a care for layout design and was starting to discover ways illustration could be used on different canvas’.
“I suppose that’s what’s most fulfilling to me, creating things for a purpose and other people.”
Liv: Similarly to Lauren I thought there was only one kind of ‘art’ whilst growing up. It wasn’t until foundation year at uni that I was taught that you could draw for clients/solving problems rather than just paintings. As a kid, I'd always be crafting/creating/sewing. I remember having a bit of a reputation for making friends illustrated birthday cards, so the urge to create definitely was always there. I suppose that's what's most fulfilling to me, creating things for a purpose and other people.
© Pickle Illustration - Best Foot Forward
Finding your style and approach as an illustrator is hard enough on your own, how on earth have you managed to land on something that works for the two of you?
I think we have always had similar tastes so we always know what we strive for in our work and the types of projects we want to work on. Then it just took a lot of passing work between ourselves to get both of our hands and illustration brains into the work. We both have our own strengths and weaknesses and we are super honest with each other when illustrating.
In our eyes, you’re the queens of collaboration. Why do you think collabs with other creatives are so important when starting out and even deep into your practice?
Firstly, we definitely think talking about your work to other people is so beneficial as illustration is ALL about communication. Also, we love talking to equally passionate people and think only good things and good learning happens from collaboration. We do always try to pick nice people to work with however, so that probably helps!
“Talking about your work to other people is so beneficial as illustration is ALL about communication.”
© Pickle Illustration - National Trust Sudbury Hall Grasshopper Trail
Leaving home for Birmingham as a duo must have been a fairly big decision. Could you tell us why Brum appealed so much and how you’re finding the creative scene there?
Ohhh nobody asks this for any other city haha! We do understand Birmingham has a certain rep, BUT it's a very underrated city. The thing we love most is the PEOPLE. There’s so many good eggs knocking about and it makes working here so fun. We’ve discovered Brum is very humble and has a lot of cultural hidden gems. You have to hunt around a bit more than London etc. but once you’ve found things you hit the jackpot! We’ll always be loyal to the midlands (both growing up here) so it was a bit of a no brainer. It’s very commutable too!
© Pickle Illustration - Birmingham Design Festival
We’ve loved seeing the range in your work over the last couple of years, from selling prints to painting foxes and animated projections. Are you intentional about keeping it super diverse or does it happen naturally?
Lauren: We LOVE the diversity but also feel like we are good at evaluating projects and then making a decision whether they’re for us or not. It’s all part of the learning process and that's why it’s important to us to be honest and also give things a go! We definitely didn't think we would be painting foxes, but who does?
“It’s all part of the learning process and that’s why it’s important to us to be honest and also give things a go!”
Liv: We’re very much guided by the opportunities that arise and that we apply for. Some say that we should follow more of a plan and make more long term goals of how we’d like to grow but we’re still figuring out what's out there and what we love the most!
© Pickle Illustration - Fosse Park’s Foxes Train
Giving too much away for free is probably a creative's biggest obstacle. Have you faced this and if so, how do you advise always making the most out of an opportunity even if the budget is slim?
Everyone knows budgets for creative projects can be tight. It’s not new news so when clients wince when they have to confess what their budget is we don’t find it awkward at all! I think we have to balance finance with fun, future (potential for repeat work) and fame (is it going to get our names out there), then we make a decision based on our guts mostly!
What have been your proudest moments in the last year?
Ooo! We both agree moving into our studio was a big one. Feels like a ‘big girl move’ going from working in your bedroom at home with your mum hoovering in the background of calls. It really solidified our decision to do Pickle full time, properly going for it whilst we could. Also, our illustrated installation in front of Chester Cathedral with Wild Rumpus and Birmingham based woodwork pals Groove was a pretty mad project that we’re so chuffed we pulled off and hope to do more similar projects very soon!
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