Creative of the month: Hello Vonnie
Each month, Mimi highlights a different creative and asks them a few questions. This month, we’re putting a spotlight on Hello Vonnie.
Vonnie is an illustrator and artist based in the Netherlands. She makes colourful, playful work that celebrates kindness, curiosity, and the little joys in life! Think bold colours, graphic shapes, and lots of character. She works across editorial, commercial, and children's projects, and design her own range of risograph prints, stationery, stickers and washi tapes.
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?
If I had to start my creative journey all over again, one thing I would absolutely still do is keep going, keep making art, and keep trying new things. One thing I’d avoid is all the time I spent worrying about not being “ready” or good enough. You’re always growing, and doing your best with the skills you have in that moment is more than enough. And something I didn’t do back then, but I’m trying to do more now is to be bold and trust myself.
2
What is your favourite illustration you've ever done and why do you love it so much?
My favourite illustration might be the Tokyo, Japan risograph print. It was such a joy to work on a big piece full of tiny details. I also really love how vibrant risograph colours are, and the texture makes the prints feel extra special. I definitely want to make more riso prints in the future.
3
Tell us about your dream commission. Who’s the client and what do you have to do?
A dream commission would be creating a large installation, the kind you sometimes see in big galleries or even in a shopping mall. I’d love to see my characters and shapes come to life in a space people can walk through.
4
What's a tool you can't live without?
A tool I can’t live without is my sketchbook. I always have so many ideas floating around, and it helps me capture them quickly before they disappear. Plus it feels so free, it doesn’t have to be perfect or finished. I can just draw or write whatever I want in there without any worries.
5
Who inspires you right now?
Someone who inspires me right now is Dick Bruna. I’ve been diving into his work and I love how he simplifies characters and shapes in such a recognizable, iconic way.
