Spotlight on the Creators: Portia Graves
Our first project with Portia developed during the pandemic with discussions on Zoom about one of Freud’s most famous patients Sergei Pankejeff, also known as The Wolfman, and his iconic paintings of his dream. She captured the haunting quality of The Wolman’s enigmatic dream in a design for our silk scarves and sleep masks.
The next time we met was a sunny spring day when Portia came to the museum to get inspiration for a drawing of Freud’s final home. Many ideas began to blossom afterwards.
Freud Museum London with a greeting card designed by Portia
We caught up with Portia and discussed the creative process behind her latest Freud Museum ventures, a tote bag based on Freud’s library and a set of greeting cards.
What was your first impression on seeing Freud’s collection and study, and how did you start to think about the brief?
I had the most amazing tour given by Iveta, who showed me around Freud’s beautiful house. Every room is so inspiring! I soaked up elements from each room to include in the designs. I was given quite a loose brief which meant I could be inspired by objects that caught my eye as opposed to being forced to adapt my design around specific items and areas. It was great to have the freedom for my own interpretation and artistic licence. I snapped as many shots as I could with my camera and then began to sketch out of a few ideas on my train home.
Artist and Designer Portia Graves
How did the project develop?
My first project was creating a design for a sleep mask and scarf based on Freud’s notorious Wolf Man’s Dream. This was one of my favourite art pieces and I was actually really nervous about recreating my own design but I think it stands alone and works well on a silk scarf and sleep mask.
Wolfman Silk Scarf and Sleep Mask
I am a designer as well as am illustrator, so I am very confident creating designs to work on specific products. I adore creating seamless patterns which work well on fabric, so when I was asked to create a repeating bookcase design, I was thrilled! I loved soaking up the ambience of Freud’s study. I spent quite a bit of time in there. I took note of all the book titles, operatic works and even the small figurines and photographs dotted around. There was almost too much to be inspired by but I was immersed in it. I am very proud of this design, I think it works really well and would love to see it on more products in the future. I personally would love a lampshade in this design!
Freud’s Library Tote bag in Freud’s Study
My design process always begins with simple line illustrations. I then tend to use a mixture or watercolours or gouache paint to add colour and then I go digital, adding another layer of texture – I suppose you could call it digital mixed media. I just love vibrance and texture!
Was there anything that particularly inspired you?
One of my favourite designs in the greeting card collection is Sigmund Freud’s Begonia. I found the story behind Freud’s begonia cutting fascinating and this was actually an extra drawing I did just for fun, but it ended up being a part of the collection, which is excellent. I love drawing bold botanicals so this was a fun little addition. I felt in my element drawing this. I have really loved working on all of these designs and hope for more projects in the future.
Portia drawing Freud’s Begonia greeting card
Where the Wildlings Roam
You can find out more about Portia’s story on her website.
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Interviewed by Iveta Rozlapa, Retail Manager
