Design/Life: Molly Ellis: Artist and owner of Ewe Sir

Aileen Lee meets Molly Ellis, an artist and designer from Cork.

What’s your background?

I grew up in Cork City centre in the 1980s. I was lucky enough to have UCC on my doorstep with its trees and river, a favourite haunt, even at a young age.

I was the kid who rescued fallen birds and managed to sneak a fox cub into the shed before my parents found out. I didn’t start out as a maker: I did lots of things first and just couldn’t settle.

When I went to art college, it was the first place I truly felt at home with myself and my thoughts. I discovered line, colour and surface, and it inhabits everything I do.

It was when I was teaching art that I found my love of textures and wool felting. I wanted to create something that people wanted to touch and bring to their hearts and home.

Blackbird Song Print by Molly Ellis of Ewe Sir, €25 (small print) and €48 (framed).

What’s a typical work day like for you?

Days are early in ours with a full house of dogs and a one-year old. Once they are looked after, it’s time for coffee and some 1920s radio.

I love to start the day with making. We are in the process of buying a house and I can’t wait to have a proper studio again. I have converted our large sitting room into a space to work.

I am meticulous about the quality of my work, so have taken on almost 100% of the process from printing and photography to packing.

We photograph the originals at night as we convert the room into a photography studio with soft boxes, flash lighting, etc.

I then edit the images and test until I have the print as close in appearance to the original as is possible in terms of texture, colour and vibrancy.

It can take a few days alone to make the prints ready to go — on top of the weeks it takes to make the original. I haven’t had much time for originals with the new baby, but am hoping to get working on more designs in the new year.

Lately, our evenings are spent driving around to our favourite spots to capture imagery for the website. A few weeks ago, we were standing in the middle of a corn field taking a photograph of my blackbird print with tripod, print, and wellies. The farmer thought we were mad as hatters!

Molly Ellis at work on a felt art original of a Long-tailed tit.

Tell us about a recent project you have worked on

After four years of procrastination, I finally designed and built my own website. It was something I had wanted to do myself as I had some unorthodox ideas on how it should be navigated.

I kept hearing that as I’m an artist, it should be categorised into prints cards and whatnots. That’s not actually what I do. Sure, I physically make prints, but what I really make is connections with memories, nature and animals.

What’s your design style?

My aesthetic is influenced by the natural beauty of our feathery and furry friends, complemented by my love of textures and pattern.

I would like to consider myself as a contemporary designer using traditional methods. I use white space, strong line and detailed areas of colour to create a story.

What/Who inspires your work?

I have always been irresistibly drawn to the wild and natural things in life.

Forever Robin Paperweight by Molly Ellis of Ewe Sir, RRP €25.

What’s your favourite trend at the moment (if you have any)?

I’m loving the step towards nature that can be seen in amazing designers such as Ruby Robin Boutique, Mairi Stone, and Petal to Petal. Their designs are effortless, delicate and embrace the natural beauty of the world.

What’s your most treasured possession?

My canon 85mm lens, but when I say mine I really mean my husband’s!

Who would be your favourite designer, or style inspiration?

I don’t have particular favourites — rather I admire those who were being themselves, such as Eileen Grey, Rothko, and Sophie Calle.

What would be a dream project for you to work on?

I would love to work with a ceramicist and see my work in porcelain. I have ideas that I am eager to experiment with, so if any lovely Cork-based ceramicist is reading this, then please get in touch.

Have you any design tips for us?

Design should make you feel happy, content, sentimental. Whatever it is, know it and trust in it.

Website:

www.ewesir.ie

Social media:

Facebook.com/EweSir;

Instagram: @ewesir