With an eye for design and a passion for pattern, Gold Coast-based illustrator Sara Hingle has garnered plenty of attention with her understated and unique wallpapers, cushions, greeting cards and ceramic prints. Step inside her home studio and share the love for These Walls.
Always. To create and make is in my bones. I hadn’t decided whether or not I would be a photographer or designer until I was at uni, however I chose a course that offered both. It was 50-50 to start with but in the end design and illustration won out!
It satisfies me creatively and challenges me on new levels every day – such as the day-to-day learning of how to run a business! Until this point I have freelanced which was a fairly simple formula: receive brief, fulfil brief, invoice. These days there’s a little more going on in the background to that, and, while sometimes I just want to create all day, I do enjoy the learning and challenges involved with running These Walls.
I love to create initially with ink and paper, surrounded by colour and fabric swatches. It gives me great satisfaction translating my designs into usable end products such as cushions and wallpaper.
While it’s not an aesthetic trend as such, I really like the trend of community spirit that is growing. I love how small businesses are so supportive of one another and always ready to give each other a step up.
My family and coffee. I also love to pop Double J on the radio in my studio at home to keep me company through the day as I work solo.
I wake up anywhere between 4-6 am. If I’m up before my boys, then I will sneak in some work before the morning ‘get out the door’ school/kindy drop-off routine starts. My ‘work-day’ begins about 9.30 am, when I make a coffee and sit down in my studio.
Each day is vastly different. On a project mode day, the laptop closes, moodboards are pulled out, inks and brushes in position, music on, swatches laid out and I get to it. All going well, I have enough to scan and work into a pattern or a placement print – either straight away if I’m in the zone, or at a later time.
Before I know it, it’s time for the school run again (if hubby hasn’t put his hand up for it). It’s all kids, dinner and hang time’til the kids are in bed. If I’m not too shattered I will get back to work, or clock off for the day.
Hang-time at home with my family, setting off down south somewhere for a day’s adventure and perhaps a catch up with friends for a BBQ.
My second range of cushions are super close. I’ll also be releasing my next range of wallpaper and fabric designs soon.
I really admire people who seem to be able work on endless projects, ranges, books and brands – how do they do that?! Do they ever sleep? Are they super-human? I am full of admiration for those gogetters. Beci Orpin, Lucy Feagins and generally small-business owners and freelancers doing their thing – all are amazing!
Working with an amazing interior designer on a boutique hotel project. That would be the best!
My three guys, Josh (five), Thom (two) and hubby Mick. Ruffie the dog and Maggie the cat also get about.
Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast.
My lounge room. It is so lovely and open, with high raked ceilings and windows up high to let the light in no matter the time of day and views out past our deck into the gum trees and valley. And it is open plan (kitchen, studio and dining are all in the general living space), so as a family we are always connected.
The relaxed lifestyle. Being so close the the beach and hinterland is great, with so many places to visit and get about with the family.
Bonita Bonita in Mermaid Beach for food and the new little place down the road from me. Parlour, in Tallebudgera – it has great coffee and food during the day. Harvest in Newrybar, Northern New South Wales, is beyond amazing for a special meal. I am yet to visit The Farm down in Byron Bay but I hear great things.
A backyard with some lawn for Summer.
Check out more of Sara’s work.