Finding Your Way - Refugee Futures
We collaborated with Refugee Futures, a local charity that helps refugees and people seeking asylum flourish, in partnership with The British Red Cross.
We collaborated with Refugee Futures, a local charity that helps refugees and people seeking asylum flourish, in partnership with The British Red Cross to create a comprehensive map and leaflet for Stockton-On-Tees, supporting those seeking support.
This resource connects newcomers with vital community services including affordable shopping, education opportunities, places of worship, and healthcare facilities. We're committed to helping everyone who lives here to feel welcome and empowered to thrive in Stockton, our hometown.
Proud to have helped bring this to life!
Learn more about supporting refugees and local community work here: www.refuguefutures.org.uk
Kaleidoscope Interview! Redefining Success: Art and Identity in the North East
Abby + Owen strongly contradict the ideology that ‘London is everything’ because our own local areas can hold many kinds of art, big cities may be a hub of life and art, as well as inspiration, but art exists everywhere and it's up to us to appreciate it.
As part of our diversity theme, I’ll be focusing on geographical diversity and how it affects the North East as a whole as well as our Stockton, Middlesbrough area. This is demonstrated through the discrimination and often self-inflicted ridicule by and surrounding northerners - accents, stereotypes and even nicknames such as ‘smoggies’ being used for the people of Stockton and Middlesbrough due to the industrial revolution taking over the area with smoke. This often diminishes the natural aspects that make up the landscapes that people have become so accustomed to, that they lose their charm.
This is why I personally believe Abby and Owen represent our area and capture the artistic potential behind its environment and scenery. In addition, Abby+Owen strongly contradict the ideology that ‘London is everything’ because our own local areas can hold many kinds of art, big cities may be a hub of life and art, as well as inspiration, but art exists everywhere and it's up to us to appreciate it.
The dynamic duo first met in college when they both studied graphic design and later on progressed to university together after graduating from the Northern School of Art which then was known as the Cleveland College of Art & Design, therefore studying for a total of five years. Before this, Abby attended Ian Ramsey, having Mrs Barnfather as her graphics teacher to support and push Abby to pursue a career in the arts, setting an example for artists our age to be proud of where they are from. Then, in their words they “began to map out our future in pencil, leaving plenty of room to doodle in the margins.
A big part of their career -individually and with each other- has been doing the artwork for Hartlepool train station, after winning the commission they had been a couple for 11 years and owning a successful business together, I reached out to them after inquiring with the school about alumni, and asked them some questions.
What inspired you to initiate your creative career?
For me, pursuing a creative career was the most logical and natural path, not to mention the most enjoyable. The allure of self-employment lay in its flexibility and the autonomy it provided over my work, allowing me to avoid the repetition and mundanity often found in some design jobs. Owen, who has been passionate about art since he was young, always envisioned a career in the arts. Despite his natural talent, he finds overly structured environments challenging due to his ADHD. The freedom to set his own schedule and choose projects that genuinely inspire him has been a key factor in his decision to pursue self-employment as a creative.
What would your dream project look like?
It's wonderful to acknowledge that we've been a part of so many projects that felt like dream projects, such as giant murals for our town centre and illustrating a wonderful book. Looking to the future, I’d love to expand our print shop and create more amazing murals.
What meaning do you want your art to portray?
Our artwork, which includes North-East themed scenes of landmarks, murals, posters, illustrations for kids, and illustrated maps, generally reflects our ethos on the importance of community, instilling local pride, and celebrating cultural landmarks and beautiful scenes within the Tees Valley.
Do you think living in the North-East has limited your opportunities as an artist? Why or why not?
I don't believe it has limited us, but rather focused us. The only experience I can speak on is my own… you'd have to clone me and place her down south to see if an alternative-reality Abby would get more opportunities! I do think there's a certain underappreciated value in the North. We're resilient, supportive of each other, and strong in adversity. We’re firm believers in making your own luck. ‘Luck Is What Happens When Preparation Meets Opportunity’ as the Roman Philosopher Seneca liked to put it. There are loads of opportunities in the North-East, you just have to be prepared to pitch in for them when they come up, and to know where to look for them. This also means having a physical or digital portfolio at the ready.
London is the creative hub of the UK. What does the North East have that London doesn’t? The North East of England contrasts London with its unique blend of cultural heritage, close-knit community spirit, and affordability. Unlike London's daunting scale and competition, the North East offers a more accessible and collaborative creative scene. This environment allows artists, designers, and creators to form supportive networks, share resources, and gain visibility in a way that feels more personal and less commercialised. Teesside’s unique history and landscapes also offer a rich source of inspiration, influencing a diverse range of art, music, literature, and design.
What advice would you give to young people in the North East looking to venture into the creative world? The Northern School of Art was a crucial resource for us, enriched by its tutors, facilities, and the vibrant community. The lifelong connections we made there have been pivotal to our careers. This institution is a must for anyone forging a creative career. Additionally, for those aspiring to be artists, the advice is simple: MAKE ART! Remember, your taste will evolve faster than your skill, so practise patience and self-encouragement over perfectionism — persistence is your friend and a true test.
Overall the feedback that I have received from these questions is proof in itself that even though geographical diversity can affect careers, you shouldn’t let it. I truly believe that Abby and Owen represent what it means to be proud of your background and inspire teenagers to not limit themselves due to other’s opinions.
Written by Hollie Matthews and copyedited by Eli Pearce
View the full Kaleidoscope magazine here: https://www.ianramsey.org.uk/kaleidoscope-magazine-april-2024/
A Gift For The Cook Islands
Our original piece was gifted to the Cook Islands Men’s Rugby Squad when they arrived ahead of their clash with Tonga at the Riverside Stadium.
“We’re looking forward to giving the Cook Islands a warm welcome.”
Palm Trees and Pearls
The Cook Islands have a powerful link to Teesside, with the islands taking Marton-born navigator Captain James Cook's name after his death.
We were honoured to be commissioned by Middlesbrough Council and the Tees Valley Combined Authority to create a piece of artwork to be presented as a gift to the Cook Islands. Our original piece was gifted to the Cook Islands Men’s Rugby Squad at their Rockliffe Hall base when they arrived ahead of their clash with Tonga at the Riverside Stadium.
In addition to this first piece, we also worked with local schools from across the Tees Valley to incorporate their illustrations into a second piece of artwork, including the first names of all the children whose artwork we collaged into the design.
Pond Planet Make a Splash with New Koi Food Brand
When Tim approached us, he was looking for a striking series of designs for his new range of Koi Carp food, under his established brand Pond Planet.
“Absolutely brilliant service! So happy with the final design for our own branded fish food. Will always use Abby+Owen for any future design requirements.”
Cool Koi
When Tim approached us, he was looking for a striking series of designs for his new range of Koi Carp food, under his established brand Pond Planet.
We took the time to get to know Tim and his vision for the new products. Next, we created these bespoke koi illustrations, incorporating them into a range of concepts for Tim to select from. The new designs will help the product blow the competition out of the water!
Have you got a product you’d like us to take a look at?
Platinum Jubilee Community Artwork & Activity Pack
It was wonderful to see the crown collage we created for Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, comprised of children's drawings on the choir's t-shirts for the Jubilee celebrations! We delivered a range of Jubilee activities, from wordsearches, colouring-in page and games to play.
It was wonderful to see the crown collage we created for Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, comprised of children's drawings on the choir's t-shirts for the Jubilee celebrations! We delivered a range of Jubilee activities, from wordsearches, colouring-in page (by the super talented Anjalee Bee Illustration) and games to play. We had a lot of fun creating (and testing!) this one.
Nostalgic Talk for Abby at Bowesfield Primary School
A few weeks ago I visited my old Primary School (Bowesfield Primary School) ...it was such a highlight! I got asked to come in for Career Day to talk about my life in illustration, as one half of the creative duo "Abby+Owen".
A few weeks ago I visited my old Primary School (Bowesfield Primary School) ...it was such a highlight! I got asked to come in for Career Day to talk about my life in illustration, as one half of the creative duo "Abby+Owen". I talked about self-employment, working to your own schedule, selling artwork, creating murals, and exploring some of the ways that art is invaluable to our community.
Over 100 children wanted to come to the talk, and were bursting with excitement and questions! We touched on all sorts of stuff and I tried to be super honest about everything.
I was asked about making mistakes, comparing yourself to others, happiness, the challenges I face as a creative, and how often I draw. We also touched on my favourite anime (Death Note & Chobits), what I drew as a kid (Fairies, mermaids, animals, landscapes, intricate scenes) and "how do you know if you are an artist?" Hint: If you create and express yourself, then you are an artist. You can start calling yourself one right away...there is no gatekeeper!
I met some of my old teachers and they were just the same friendly, lovely people they were when I was at school. I even met my oldest school friend afterwards...we met at a corner shop we used to go to for sweets, and had a walk in the park because it was a nice day.
Chatting to the children, and seeing so much of my younger self in them, was a moving and nostalgic experience. I had some amazing conversations and interactions, but it's impossible to sum up!