“It makes my day knowing my prints are up in someone’s house and it’s bringing them happiness or a smile to their face every day,” says Louise Whittaker, the artist behind lifestyle brand Illustrated by Weezy.
She creates prints that highlight the simple joy that can be found in every day – like sipping on your diet coke in peace or when the weekend comes around and it’s beers and boogie time.
Many of Louise’s designs are inspired by her most nostalgic memories. She produces an “I left my heart in…” collection, which is inspired by when she went travelling.
She says: “It’s amazing to be able to have a piece up on your wall and get flooded with those really lovely memories of being on that holiday, the drinks that you were drinking, the food you were having.”
Before launching Illustrated by Weezy, Louise studied product design at university and completed a placement at a novelty gift company where she designed items that ended up in shops such as Urban Outfitters.
“That’s when I first got a glimpse that I can create products and actually have them in shops. I really enjoyed that process because the products were fun and made people smile,” she explains.
Her designs have always been “quite tongue in cheek – I don’t like things that are too serious”, she says.
Louise went on to work in marketing before going travelling, leaving her heart in the places she visited, and spent time working in Australia.
When she got back to the UK, she couldn’t shake the itch of needing to be creative.
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During the pandemic, she bought an iPad and started sharing custom portraits on Instagram. Drawing was on the back burner while she worked full time, before realising she wanted to pursue her creativity.
Louise booked her first market at Christmas time and had a month to come up with some collections. At her market, she sold around six pieces, which “is not that much, but it gave me the energy and the confidence to feel like I can actually do this”.
“I put my everything into the next year,” says Louise. “I spent 2023 experimenting and working on new collections and doing lots of markets.”
“My first year has been really enjoyable as well as, obviously with so many learnings and challenges, but it’s all been worth it.”
Now, Louise has brought out many Illustrated by Weezy collections. The designs are inspired by the little things that people love to do with their friends, like drink Chicken Wine, as she plays on the simple moments of the every day that are special.
And she pays homage to where we call home across south London in her “stomping ground” series.
Louise’s “What Comes Next Will Be Marvellous” print will also “always hold a deeply special place in my heart”, she says.
She explains that the messages she has received from people who have found hope and strength in these words – whether after a breakup, losing a job or facing a life-changing diagnosis – remind her of the incredible resilience within us all.
“Knowing that this print has helped someone believe in brighter days ahead, given them a renewed sense of determination and reassured them that they can overcome anything fills me with so much joy,” she says. “The print reinforces that no matter what people are going through, the best is still to come.”
Louise’s latest collection is a nod to her, and many of our, love of a Lime bike.
“My friends and I have been Lime biking everywhere,” she says. “One of our favourite things to do at the weekend is find a new coffee shop or market and message each other: ‘Lime bike and [insert activity]’”.
The collection symbolises exploring London and the hidden places you can discover while riding a bike.
It gives you that “opportunity to get lost down cute roads” and you “actually get to see London for what it is, rather than just getting off at a busy station and going straight to your destination”, says Louise.
Of one of her favourite things to do in south London, Louise says she “absolutely loves” to visit Salad Days Markets, a market run by twin sisters Liv and Daisy.
She says: “The market is filled with incredible, unique and beautiful products crafted by small brands and it has the best atmosphere.
“When it takes place in Battersea Power Station, I love to make a day of it, cycling on a Lime bike from home, and then taking a long walk around the park with a coffee.”
Louise is also excited to be taking part in the market for the fifth time on Sunday 23 February as part of the Salad Days Sample Sale at Gipsy Hill Taproom. You’ll find samples and seconds of Louise’s work at a reduced price.
So, whether you’re looking for a homage to your stomping ground or want your own reminder that “What Comes Next Will Be Marvellous”, be sure to visit and grab an Illustrated by Weezy bargain.
