AN INTERVIEW WITH...
PHEBE LOU
J
uggling a University degree and a part-time job, all whilst trying to get your name out into the freelance world would seem almost impossible for anyone. But for Phebe, it’s just another day. At 21 years old, Arts University Bournemouth student Phebe Lou Morson has already made her mark in the world of illustrations, with commissions ranging from the Metro UK to ourselves here at Stem lining up for one of her modishly fun and fresh creations. Originally from Manchester, Phebe discovered her love (and talent) for illustration just 3 years ago, after moving over 200 miles down south to seaside town “I sit here mostly in Bournemouth. But heading down the creative route wasn’t always my pyjamas at my originally on the cards for this quirky northerner. “I actually applied for desk in my tiny little politics degrees in sixth form, and uni room, looking at the very last minute changed to extremely both fine art (very very glad I didn’t go down that route!) and illustration un-glamorous” courses. Funnily enough whilst looking for a Uni to do something ‘arty’, I googled ‘Universities by the sea’ and low and behold, The Arts
22
University Bournemouth was number one on the list. It had always been one of my dreams to live by the sea, and AUB has one of the best illustration courses in the country so it all worked out really well. I chose illustration over fine art courses as I prefer to work to a solid brief, where I can build good relationships with clients and make people happy with my work.” Phebe’s creations cover everything and anything, from a bathtub full of avocados to the various styles and names of pubic hair, however it’s clear that a theme of strong and empowered females runs throughout her work. Just a quick scroll through her Instagram makes it apparent that this artist is a free-spirited, eccentric individual, but Phebe insists that her inspiration for her girls is found elsewhere. “I’m a pretty loud and bold person myself haha, but I’m also like the complete opposite girl from those I feature in my work at the same time. I sit here mostly in my pyjamas at my desk in my tiny little Uni room, looking extremely un-glamorous, whereas the ladies I draw tend to be extremely fabulous and glam. My inspirations are
