Bookbinders Design proudly presents a charming collection in collaboration with Swedish illustrator Kajsa Hagelin. With her beautiful, hand-painted watercolour motifs, she has put her unique touch to a selection of Bookbinders classics. Discover a summery collection of cards, notebooks and notepads in a limited edition. Read more!

KAJSA HAGELIN

Kajsa Hagelin, born 1989, is a Swedish freelance illustrator, creator and designer. Her creativity and interest in colour and form was already expressed as a child when she would often sit at her mother's sewing machine or take on carpentry projects in the garage. Painting was an early interest that was revived after high school when she took a one-year course in fashion design. The course provided her with a foundation in painting, but beyond that she is self-taught and has been experimenting her way into her own artistic expression.

Kajsa Hagelin likes to explore different ways of creating. She is keen not to place her art in a specific genre, and works according to the motto of "painting what whe feels like painting". Her work is very much influenced by what she sees around her in the moment. A recurring theme is flowers, nature and people. Everything is painted by hand, from sketch to finished result.

She describes how she in her working process strives to truly "see" the objects she depicts:

"Seeing what something really looks like takes a while. To observe a flower, for example, and dig into all the colour shifts, shadows and folds, to the how "unperfect" they usually are, and yet so beautiful. That's what I always aim to bring out in my paintings."

Tell us about yourself and the story behind KajsaVisual.

I am a person with a creative vein, and all my life I’ve felt that I need to express that. Creativity has been about everything from refurnishing my room in my childhood home, sewing doll clothes, or building something in the garage. Painting is something I’ve always done and liked, but I rediscovered it when I, as an adult, attended a stylist education. One of the courses was focused on art. I have a lot to thank my teacher who taught a way of painting which was new to me and very interesting. I’ve benefited from this ever since.

Except for this course, I am self-taught. I don’t think I’ve ever hesitated on trying out new things, and that has helped me develop. I’ve always been interested in trying out different ways of painting. I’ve tried out different styles and techniques, just to find a style that I now feel comfortable with. With that said, I think it’s important to not put my creations in a box or category. I enjoy painting what I feel like, and I do it my way.

KajsaVisual started when I was living in Germany together with my husband. First, I focused a lot on our home and making it feel cosy. However, soon I realised that the walls were very empty. So, I started painting pieces to have for my own. And thanks to Instagram, a person I knew thought I should get a webshop so other people could have my paintings in their homes. Now, 7 years later, I don’t have a webshop anymore, but I work fulltime as an illustrator, sell art prints through resellers, and do work for companies, individuals and in the book industry.

How do you find inspiration?

Most of the inspiration I find in photos. I see something on social media, in the paper or in the photos I’ve taken myself. Mostly it’s the small details that I notice, colour combinations or body movements. I am influenced by everything around me and a recurring theme in my art is flowers, nature, and people. I paint everything by hand. From sketch to finished result.

Do you have any advice for someone who wants to start painting?

My advice to someone who wants to start painting is to do just that. To just begin. Trying out different things has been essential to me, and it doesn’t have to be perfect or beautiful. Just trying out which materials and tools that you like the most makes it easier to continue creating. I also think that you don’t need to be hesitant to use the “wrong” tool. Use a paper that you find at home, and if you have kids, begin with borrowing their brushes and paint. You can get down to details later, no one needs anything else than a paper and a pen to begin.

Do you have a favourite product at Bookbinders?

If I must choose only one, it will have to be the notebooks and calendars. I love the feeling of holding them in my hand, and the paper that’s so comfortable to write on. Because yes, you can feel the difference. And don’t forget all the lovely colours! You can’t settle with just one.