Finding herself feeling too limited artistically, Eva Hjelte left a career in fashion design to become an illustrator. Her resulting work is both strong and fragile, with delicate use of colour and inspiration drawn from nature and wildlife.
Name: Eva Hjelte
Age: 38
Nationality: Swedish
Based in: Stockholm
Website: www.evahjelte.com
Representation: London - www.peppercookies.com; Stockholm - www.woo.se; and Tokyo - www.art-liaison.com.
How did you start your career?
After graduation from Beckmans School of Design here in Stockholm I worked as a fashion designer at H&M. After two years there I became a freelance in illustration. My first client was Peclers Paris, which is a style agency in Paris.
How would you describe your style?
Right to it but also delicate. Since I am a designer my illustrations sometimes look as if its textile. I work with acetone combining with pencil and ink.
What do you think is your best work so far?
My fashion drawings for Svenska Dagbladet, which is Sweden’s biggest daily newspaper. And also my abstract black and white drawings for Filippa K
(Swedish clothing brand).
Who or what has influenced you?
One photographer I feel connected to is Sally Mann, even if we aren’t in the same field I feel I get great inspiration when I see her work. I also get influenced by music I listen to. I get great power from music that I can transfer to my paper.
What sets you apart from other people in your profession?
My drawing with my pencil is direct, and when I add the acetone print something random happens that I can’t control that gives an extra feeling to it, I suppose. It’s something fragile and strong over my drawings that I can’t escape from.
How would you describe your view of the world?
In my world everything is put together in colours and different combinations of patterns. I pass by things that hit me - a front of a house, a person I meet, etc. Something that opens up my mind and wants me to create into pictures. It often starts with something I am certain to draw - a tree, a face or whatever - but then it can end up with nothing of this in my drawing, it was just something that turned me on and made me start.
What music do you like to work to?
I’m a great fan of Indie and classical music. But silence is also very creative and inspiring.
Three people you would like to work with or for?
I would love to make pattern-prints for the fashion designer Tsumori Chisato. I would like to illustrate an abstract in and outdoor campaign for MB Marlene Birger (Danish brand) or Vanessa Bruno (French designer). And I would just love to illustrate to Yoko Ono’s poetry or in some way work with her.
Where do you find inspiration?
From the nature outside at the moment, but also things very close around me, a paperclip with a beautiful colour, old antiques and magazines, a person I meet, or something I see when I take my daily walks. That can turn me on and make me go home and do new drawings or drafts immediately.
What are you loving at the moment?
The greens on the trees outside. This intense lime green colour in spring before it turns over to summer. I can’t get enough of the feeling when I look at it.
Film you think everyone should see?
Drowning by numbers by Peter Greenaway. It has such intense colours and scenery. All his movies have.
Best advice you have ever been given?
Quitting from H&M. (I worked as a designer) I was too much of an artist for the job. It was fun, but I had this feeling inside me I had to go deeper with colours and develop my drawing.
Who do you think is one to watch?
Designer: Helena Hörstedt. Band: the Maps. Artist: Karin Mamma Andersson (she’s already big, but I just love her work)
Many thanks to Eva and Kiki at peppercookies.