Creative of the month: Charlotte Love
Each month, Mimi highlights a different creative and asks them a few questions. This September, we’re putting the spotlight on photo stylist, illustrator & food artist Charlotte Love. Based in South London, she lives with her husband & two children. She brings everyday objects to life, giving them a personality and a character. She has worked with clients Such as M&S, Ocado, Mini Boden, Penguin Books & more.
We absolutely love Charlotte’s quirky compositions, they never fail to make us smile! Go on to read about her journey and insights.
1
If you had to start your creative journey all over again, what would be one thing you'd still do, one thing you'd avoid and one thing you didn't do that you now think would have been great to do?
Still do:
Experiment! Some of my most successful personal work has come from creating for fun with no brief. If I have an idea - I make it happen. My work as a stylist got recognised from doing a test shoot experimenting with ideas. It got picked up by bloggers and landed me my first paid solo jobs. The more I play and create the more my creativity flourishes.
Avoid:
I'm not sure if I would avoid anything as you have to try things to know if they’re for you. Right after school I did a makeup course and quit halfway through because I knew it wasn’t me. When I first started in prop making after university I tried working in the fashion world and knew that wasn’t right either so moved onto interiors. You should try everything, because you never know what you’ll love until you do it.
Didn’t do:
Collaborate more with other artists. I'd love to work alongside an animator to see my work in motion. And to find a children’s book Author. I love the idea of making more books but I struggle to write the narrative.
2
What is your favourite artwork you've ever done and why do you love it so much?
I have a huge love for ‘The Courgettes’ that was commissioned by Boden Kids. It all came together so perfectly & naturally I was on a roll. Each character effortlessly came along. And courgette is also a very satisfying vegetable to peel & carve so it was an enjoyable process.
3
Tell us about your dream commission. Who’s the client and what do you have to do?
The Dream would be to prop style with some more big brands like Stella Kids, Lazy Oaf, Bobo Choses. I would also love to create a children’s space. I have this vision of a children’s Hospital ward or Library with faces & characters to interact with.
4
What's a tool you can't live without?
I have a few favourites in my box. My scalpel, tweezers, cocktail sticks. Circle cutters. Blu Tac and of course the holy grail - Photoshop to clean up food spills in the making.
5
Who inspires you right now?
I’m always inspired by illustrators like Donna Wilson and Printed Peanut. They’ve built such distinctive creative worlds that extend far beyond a single product or project.
I recently visited the launch of I Will Eat You in the End by Marianna Coppo and David Duff during the Bologna Children's book fair, and it was a wonderful reminder of just how versatile illustration can be. The world from the book had been brought to life with beautiful ceramic worms, while the original illustrations were framed on the walls. It felt like stepping straight into the story.
I love seeing illustration appear in unexpected places. On textiles, ceramics, packaging, exhibitions or everyday objects. That’s one of the things I love most about this profession: illustration doesn’t have to stay on the page. The possibilities are endless.
Make sure to check out Charlotte’s work and get in touch to work with her!
