Come Behind The Scenes With Talented Artist, Ally Gore

For years we've been proud to partner with successful and talented artist, Ally Gore, on a number of successful card ranges. Here she shares the inspiration behind her latest card collection, Agnes, and how she creates her beautiful designs.

I obtained a BA hons degree in printed textile design at the Surrey Institute of art and design. I was fortunate enough to be offered a job in a design studio at my degree show. I designed fabrics for many brands over a number of years. Alongside that, Robert (Reader) graduated with a photography degree, however we were passionate about doing something together and therefore we set up the illustration business soon after. 

We worked with a number of publishers before being commissioned by the Art File for eight Christmas designs initially. Jump forward 25 years and hundreds and hundreds of designs later we are still designing Pollen, Agnes, Bear and Ink Press.

I think with all my designs you can strongly see the textile design influence. I have a passion for colour especially and pattern. I would like each piece to tell a story, for you to be lost in a moment, a thought, a reflection or an aspiration. I’m heavily influenced by nature and the Cornish countryside.

I have always worked with paint on paper up to the point of Agnes. I’ve dragged myself into the 21st century reluctantly and used an iPad to draw Agnes. I feel that it has given me the freedom to be more experimental, more creative, design with no limitations.

This is hard…….probably the lady holding the flowers.

This will probably surprise you but anything by Rothko. The colour!! I also paint oil on linen and my work has been in a couple of galleries in Cornwall. But his work has always spoken to me like no other artist. His use of colour is phenomenal.My favourite card of all time is Ink Press Mermaid gin (By Robert Reader).