Sophie Heywood describes herself as a nerdy gal making illustrated goods. Having graduated from the University of Central Lancashire in 2014 with a degree in illustration, she’s currently based in Manchester, the UK, from which she runs her own Etsy store.
“Like a lot of creative businesses it started back when I was in uni,” she explained, talking about her career path in an interview with the Printed blog.
“I studied Illustration and with the guidance of tutors I realised I could print my work onto products. I did my very first fair in my final year and opened my Etsy shop alongside it. I actually split the table with a friend because I didn’t have enough to fill a whole table! I’ve since done many fairs around the country and now have over 100 items in my Etsy store!”
And while her subject matter varies – taking inspiration from everyday life and pop culture—a lot of her work tends to center around animals. Amongst her many goodies, there are enamel pins shaped after tigers and bears, vibrant prints and greeting cards, and even stud earrings of animals like owls and koalas.
But it’s her custom pet portraits which really caught our attention. “A custom pet portait is the perfect gift for the animal lover in our lives, a wonderful way to immortalise their furry pal,” writes Heywood. “I am ready to draw all your sweet pupper doggos, floofy kitties, cuddly bunnies or whatever cuties you have!”
Her custom paintings are a mix media of ink and watercolor, painted onto a heavyweight textured watercolor paper—made to fit in most standard A4 frames and mounts.
