Interview: Mia Hague – illustrator

Please tell us a bit about yourself Mia?
Hello. I’m a 30 year-old female artist living in Manchester. I work mainly from home where my studio is. Spending time with my friends and eating are two of my favourite things. I think those two are a lot of peoples favourite things. Cycling is my main mode of transport. My sister is called Pip and my cat is called Lynne.

What inspired you to begin your artistic career?
I did illustration at the University of Central Lancashire, which was great. After that though I didn’t really do any artwork properly until recently. I just worked in café’s and bars and moved cities and had fun. I did a few bits of graphic design here and there thinking that was the direction I wanted my work to go. It’s only been this last year really I feel I’ve found out what I think I’m supposed to be doing.

What do you do when you’re not using your creative brain?
Tidying the kitchen probably. Ha, only partly true. I may be working in my friend’s bar in Chorlton, or visiting an old lady called Mary whom I visit often to keep company. I like to run. I enjoy going to my friends houses and sharing a pot of tea. Perhaps thinking about where I’d like to travel to next, maybe putting up some shelves, or having a glass of wine with my sister.

Do you have any favourite artists out there?
Yes a few. Lucy Ridges is an amazing surrealist photographer. Illustrators Sara Fanelli, Claire Hopkinson, Dick Vincent and Shaun Tan. Sarah Ray gave me some helpful advice. My mate Hazel Bee is an alright chap.

Who’s your personal style icon and why?
I don’t really have an ‘icon’ but if I had to pick it’d probably maybe Patti Smith, Bob Dylan, or designer wise, Vivienne Westwood. I like good women’s tailoring, worn jeans with fishermans jumpers, trainers made in the 70’s/80’s, and battered boots.

Do you have a favourite piece of artwork?
I usually find the most recent piece of work as the favourite, as it’s new and fresh. Then another one will be made, and that’ll be the favourite. And so it continues. I’m rather partial to the badgers on a tandem though. And the adventurous wolves.

Any exciting projects in the pipeline?
Currently it’s just non stop creating, then I’ll figure out what to do with the images later on. Greetings cards are doing well for me at the moment, also I’m doing a children’s book with a friend.

How do you see yourself in five years time?
I have absolutely no idea. I don’t even know where I’ll be living. It’s just blank when I try and look ahead, but I like that. The only things for sure I’ll be better travelled. I’d like to think I’d still be illustrating too.

Click here to visit Mia’s website.