Gift Focus inc Attire Accessories - Page number 34 - November/December 2021

34 fit for a country kitchen. The mugs in particular have always been a hit as have the jugs, tea pots, tea tidies, caddies and even egg cups. Have any styles taken you by surprise with their popularity? Over the last year or so I’ve been working on a new series, which takes me back to my University days, where I painted a collection of old rusty things, but this time I’ve focussed on rusty old vintage tractors. It sounds odd, but the amount of character that’s in these old tractors is quite remarkable. It still fits with the Lucy’s Farm brand with it being tractors but just without my trademark photobombing farm animal, controversial I know! The response I’ve had for these paintings has been amazing. I’ve also produced a limited edition print series from these and I’m hoping to have time to create more next year. The only issue is that the level of detail and texture in these old machines means that the time it takes to paint an original is a fair amount more than what it takes to paint a cow! How do you keep your designs fresh and current? Do you follow trends? I feel like I follow the seasons more than I follow trends when it comes to my designs, I like to paint bright, fresh paintings for the spring and summer. My new ‘Floral Moos’ were popular last year, where I incorporated flowers like tulips and apple blossoms with the iconic Moo face making its cheeky appearance. But when it comes to turning the designs in to products and gifts I very much follow customer feedback as well as current trends. My designs work well on country kitchen style products so I do tend to create more traditional items such as tea pots and milk jugs, however, the modern twist with my humorous designs makes them suitable for most homes. What sets you apart from your competitors? The ‘Moo Selfie’ series, which I’m most known for, is regularly remarked on as being something a little different – I think the combination of the animals and the landscapes makes them stand out. There are a lot of incredible animal artists out there and there’s also a lot of landscape painters especially here in Dorset, so I had to come up with something that would stand out and feel different. I love painting both animals and landscapes so combining the two is ideal for me. It’s also the added humour that sets me apart from some, the cheeky cow face photobombing the iconic view of Windsor Castle certainly brings a smile! How are you finding the current climate in the UK? Is it affecting business? I certainly feel that some people are being a little more careful with their spending especially over the last year or so. However, now we are spending more time at home I also feel that people are looking to spend money on their homes. It’s nice to surround yourself with things that bring you joy. So even if customers don’t want to spend out hundreds of pounds on original artwork they might still treat themselves to some new kitchenware or a cheeky moo cushion to brighten up the home. I also feel that it’s about being able to adapt – my business has had to diversify over the last couple of years to be able to survive and thrive. You can’t just rely on face- to-face shopping anymore – online has been a real focus for me as well as getting the brand out there through multiple channels. Social media has it’s down sides but when used in the right way it can really prove to be a successful marketing tool. How do you view the future of independent retail post-pandemic? I actually believe that independent retailers can truly thrive post pandemic – the feedback I get from customers as well as my own spending habits is that everyone wants to support small local businesses. If you really immerse yourself with your local community and your customers, make the shopping experience special and personal and you’ll stand out from those corporate giants. People are also a lot more aware of where things come from, there seems to be an element of trust when buying from an independent shop. You know that in the most cases they have done their best to source locally and sustainably and this is increasingly important to consumers now. Are you active on social media? How is this important for the business? Social media is a huge element of my business and my marketing strategy. Yes, it has its faults and yes it can be extremely time consuming but used in the right way you can really reap the rewards. I think there has to be a balance with social media for some businesses. For me my brand is a lot about myself, my inspirations, and my lifestyle and how this influences my work. Customers love to get an insight into the ‘behind the scenes’ – it can make them feel more involved in the brand and helps them be a part of the story and how the business develops and grows. Although, I have to say whenever I