Artist and illustrator Chiara Perano on how her childhood in Italy is still a big inspiration for her work today
Artist and illustrator Chiara Perano on challenging herself, how her childhood shapes her work and making the leap to leave London
If you create truly personal and authentic work, it will lead to the best opportunities
for seven years, Chiara Perano ran a successful stationery and calligraphy studio, Lamplighter, where she worked with luxury brands such as Burberry, Hermes and Liberty. But after having her daughter in 2018, she decided to create illustrative artwork inspired by southern Italy where she spent much of her childhood. Her collection now includes wall hangings and decorative vases and tiles. Chiara lives in St Leonards-on-sea in East Sussex with her husband and three-year-old daughter, and is expecting her second child.
How has work and life changed in the last year?
Life has changed immeasurably for me, we made the decision to leave Leytonstone, east London, and live by the sea. We were very rooted in London but the pandemic and other personal reasons gave us the option to take the leap, and I haven’t looked back.
The biggest changes you have had to make to your business?
Pre-pandemic I created lots of bespoke artwork for events, so lockdown forced me to challenge myself into more of an artist role. I started creating and selling my own original artwork, which has taken me in a totally different direction. I will soon have my first pieces for sale in a London gallery, which I couldn’t have imagined at the start of 2020.
And the biggest challenges faced during the pandemic?
The most obvious challenge for me during the pandemic was the childcare juggle. I had to create a daily routine with my husband, which saw us swapping from Zoom meetings to entertaining a toddler at home. Trying to find time to be genuinely creative in such a pressurised and unfamiliar structure was hard. My work is massively inspired by travel and nature, and so being stuck indoors had an impact on that, too.
If someone was starting a similar business to yours now, what would you advise?
If you can create work that is truly personal and authentic it leads you to the best aligned projects and opportunities. Do lots of experimenting, take drawing and art courses, just keep creating and developing.
What inspires your work?
I’m half Italian, and in my childhood I spent a lot of time in southern Italy where we lived for a few years. The colours I remember, food and natural way of life are a huge inspiration for me. I’m obsessed with the typography of the old Mediterranean adverts, which often inspire my more graphic pieces, and I love the antique ceramics and patterns.
Artists you admire?
The simple perfection of Jean Cocteau’s work, Franz Marangolo’s advertising illustrations, Louise Bourgeois patterns and modern abstract, such as the work of Patricia Treib.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learnt in the past year?
To trust your gut and believe in what you’re doing.