Christmas Honey: A chat with illustrator Maddy Vian

We chatted with Maddy Vian - who we chose from all the amazing talent who responded to our illustrator shout out back in the spring. Maddy designed our label for our newly launched Christmas Honey.

Tell us a bit about yourself?

I'm a freelance illustrator living by the sea in Margate, Kent. I grew up in a small village down the road called Sandwich surrounded by fields so I have always felt connected to nature and love taking it into my work. I also enjoy using colour and line to evoke a warm sense of nostalgia which I believe was inspired by classic illustrations that made me feel like I belonged as a child.

How did you become an illustrator?

I fell into being an illustrator after being a precocious teenager and landing myself a project with a local music festival. I had always been drawing but this opened my eyes to the possibility of making it a real career. I studied Illustration Animation at Kingston University and continued working on paid projects throughout and then I never stopped. I worked for a few years in retail after graduation before going full time 8 years ago. 

What was your inspiration for the label illustration?

I was thinking about Christmas scenes that could involve a line of bees and my first thought was a lantern lights parade like the ones from my childhood in Sandwich. I wasn't sure how universal this was but it inspired the vanilla flower and the caroling felt like a natural festive step.

What does nature mean to you?

Nature is that feeling of being a human on a big rock in space where everything lives and grows. I love seeing moments of nature taking over pavements or walls because its perseverance makes me feel connected. Nature is abundance and it's hopeful.

How do you connect with Nature?

I feel so grateful that every day I can look out my studio window and see trees. I know that's a huge privilege. I started a small flower garden this year too and it's been genuinely thrilling to see so many pollinators enjoying the fruits of my labour. My phone is chock-full of blurry pictures of close up bugs. I am also a ten minute walk from the sea which never fails to make me feel connected.

What’s your favourite way to enjoy honey?

I have been thoroughly enjoying putting your hot honey on homemade pizza that my partner Joe makes. Have we increased pizza intake since discovering this combo? Yes.

What’s your favourite Christmas song?

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs - All I want for Christmas.

Buy our Christmas Honey with Maddy's label on our website now!