A Chat with Elizabeth Harbour

If your studio was a song, what would it be?

Probably it would be, ‘The Lark Ascending’ by Vaughan Williams; it is something I listened to as a child. Music plays a big part in my work. It all started when my father bought me an EP from the local sweet shop. I was 10 and it inspired me. I love all sorts of music; it helps me tune into the things that I want to create. Music helps to set the feel and the tone for the particular piece I am creating.

If your illustrations had personalities, what would they be?

I hope that there is something within them. A lady said to me, “I quite like the feeling that they are not always sweetly smiling…I wonder what is going to happen next.” Perhaps, a feeling with some…and a little story behind others.

If any artist, living or dead, could be invited to your home for the day, for tea and cake, who would it be, and why?

Coffee and cake…if I could speak French…Pierre Bonnard…I love his lithographs, his painting, his process. I also felt a connection with Tirzah Garwood’s work…being an artist, a mother…it is funny to look and see that I have been interested in similar processes. Her art kept her going…it was her sunshine…so innovative. I was not really aware of her work, until I saw her exhibition last year at Dulwich Picture Gallery. All her different techniques, and her interest in folk art…her playfulness. We would have a lot in common to talk about.

In this digital age, why do you think handmade products have survived?

It is very interesting about handmade, hand-painted…it has something so much more special, tactile, uniqueness. I love to find artwork and prints. If I find something I really love, I treat it as a special thing, a ‘one of a kind,’ the differences, and someone has printed that! This is why I felt so excited about doing the December House, with Archivist, which is letterpress. It feels old-fashioned, long-lasting. I am going to cut it out and frame it when the matches are gone! It becomes ephemera, that is always the hope to create something that people want to keep.

What does living in the countryside do for you creatively, by contrast to the city?

The most glorious views, the city brings different things, I love them both, but I do find my soul is enriched, breathing in the views! I saw a hunter’s moon a few months ago. I think it was in the morning and it was huge! It looked like you could touch it, sitting in a lilac blue, early morning sky. Everyday being in the garden is inspiring too; at different times of the day. The light…it does inspire me! The house and garden…Llewellyn, my husband, has designed and created it, restoring the house, he has created an atmosphere…the most amazing place to live in.

What part of yourself appears in your pieces?

If there is an opportunity for a little bird there will be a bird!
This is slightly strange…and unintentional…my children’s faces appear in the art, there was a little boy painting I did years ago, then I had Sam and we went, ‘My gosh, that’s Sam!’ And Esme keeps cropping up…as a mermaid recently…it is all very strange!