Luke Martineau and Fenella have collaborated to produce an enchanting range of Tableware for children.Â
Here we ask Luke a little more about his world and the collections.
What's the inspiration behind your designs?
Childhood in general- my children in particular, although they are now a bit bigger than they appear in my designs, being 10 and 8 respectively. I wanted to capture a moment in our family life which was very contained and special, but which inevitably doesn’t last very long. I was also inspired by William Nicholson’s prints. He is an artist I much admire for his versatility and sensitive oil landscapes and still lifes, but his woodcuts have a simplicity of line and tone which is very appealing. The designs are also a contemporary take on a lot of the beautiful and classic illustrations I grew up with, such as EH Shepard’s Winnie the Pooh and Beatrix Potter.
What brought you to art and to your career in art?
There was a fantastic art department at Eton College and I had wonderful teacher- John Booth- who got me started by making me look and draw a lot. And I spent 6 months travelling in a camper van and painting in Italy and France after I left school, living the artist’s life, painting all day. I learnt the self-discipline of practice. You have to do it every day and can’t allow yourself to be deflected.
What inspires you day to day?
Well, inspiration and perspiration are closely linked! Trying to make beautiful objects becomes a way of life. In terms of what I am looking at though, changing light, the figure in relation to space. I was down on Chelsea embankment opposite Battersea Power Station last week at dusk, there was an almost full moon and it was low tide. I have started a study or 2 but I want to explore the subject further. It was an amazing moment. I am interested in the romantic dimension of landscape.
What do you think about the Fenella Smith collaboration?
It’s very exciting. I have been waiting for the right person to collaborate with on this series for a long time. Fenella’s tableware has a particularly charming, classic feel, the forms of the ware are elegant, and a bit different. And that Englishness seems just right for the nostaglic feel of my children designs.
Are your designs available in any other mediums?
They are. I have done 6 greetings cards with Roger la Borde, published under their Petit Sauvage imprint. Foyles stock them, and I have heard of someone finding one in Hong Kong!
How else would you like to see your designs used? Fabrics? etc
I think fabrics and other repeated designs like wrapping paper could work well. I have certainly always imagined fabric for children’s bedrooms would look good.
What do your children think of this range?
I’d like to say my children are full of admiration and gratitude towards their brilliant father, but for some reason they don’t seem to show it that often! I do think they are quite pleased to be included in my art, but then they are used to it, in fact they have been painted and drawn since the day they were born!
Any tips for young budding artists?
Work regularly. Look at nature. Don’t give up!
To see the collection visit www.fenellasmith.com/store/lukemartineau
