19.02.2021
Fee greening and the cabinet collection
Fee Greening is a London based illustrator and the creative soul behind our limited-edition collection “The Cabinet”. The collection is a celebration of an old and treasured cabinet at Fäviken farm in the Swedish Jämtland region. The cabinet carries memories from the past and has lived as a centerpiece throughout generations. It represents a forgotten world of mythical, historical and natural elements, embodied by the limited-edition exclusive home collection decorated with Fee Greening illustrations.
FEE, PLEASE TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF.

I’m an illustrator based in the UK. I grew up by the sea in Devon before leaving for London where I studied at Central Saint Martins and the Royal College of art. Since then, I have worked freelance, selling my original artwork and homeware designs, collaborating with a range of fashion, beauty and interior brands. Recently my partner Dan and I decided to relocate to a cottage in the countryside to try something different for a while.

WHAT MADE YOU START ILLUSTRATING, WHAT/WHO WAS YOUR INSPIRATION AND HOW?

I drew from a very early age all the time, plus I am a left-handed Pisces and was told this meant I was artistic. I think the combination of being told this and always drawing meant I formed a very strong idea early on that art was my thing. I was bought a beautiful hand-blown glass dip pen in Venice when I was around 8 or 9 and have used them ever since.

WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION TODAY?

As I said I’ve recently relocated to the countryside so currently I am feeling very inspired by the wild surrounding landscape and traditional country folklore. When I am in London, I find inspiration in its beautiful museums and galleries where I visit the British Library to look at Medieval illuminated manuscripts and the Tate Britain and National Gallery to see my favorite Renaissance and Pre Raphaelites paintings.

“I was bought a beautiful hand-blown glass dip pen in Venice when I was around 8 or 9 and have used them ever since.”

– FEE GREENING, ILLUSTRATOR
HOW DID YOU INTERPRET OUR HERITAGE OF JÄMTLAND AND THE CABINET?

I’ve always been drawn to 19 century Gustavian country furniture, there is a romance and fairytale quality to the period. We decided it would be fitting to have the ceramics in dusky greens, historical reds and cream shades, a very prevalent color combination in the cabinet designs. The watercolor wash mimics the rag work often used on the paneling, which creates the cabinets rustic patina. Traditionally the folk-art designs tend to be very symmetrical and ordered with a botanical theme. They often include symbolic heart motifs and ribbon flourishes like those in the collection. The insect motifs are a nod to the beautiful nature of Jämtland.

DO YOU HAVE A DREAM MOTIF, IF SO, WHAT IS IT?

I go through phases of favorites, but currently I do love drawing snakes and caterpillars.

HOW DO YOU RELAX, DO YOU HAVE A RITUAL THAT YOU CAN SHARE WITH US?

I walk a lot. I find walking through woods particularly calming; the trees have a presence which feels very mystical, it makes me feel very mortal, closer to nature and I realize my every day stresses aren’t very important.

WHAT IS THE NOTION OF HOME TO YOU?

Home is wherever my partner and dog are. We spent the last few years working on various renovation projects so have lived all over the place, but once we unpack a few familiar objects and have coffee in the cupboard it feels like home.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT LIVING IN THE COUNTRYSIDE, CLOSE TO NATURE?

The solitude and being so surrounded by open space and wild nature. I adore London, the energy and seeing all my friends but I feel I have more headspace to feel creative here.

LINK TO A SHORT FILM ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE COLLECTION AND MORE ABOUT FEE HERE.