We are thrilled to introduce Maria Yiannikkou, an artist, block printer and designer whose creations are nothing short of beautiful. We recently had the pleasure of sitting down with her to learn more about her artistic journey and the inspiration behind her work.
For 10 years, you worked at The World of Interiors magazine. Block printing is a very specific medium, how did you transition into it?
I absolutely loved working at The World of Interiors, and being surrounded by beautiful and interesting textiles, art and objects, I increasingly felt that I wanted to create something that came from me. I’m a strong believer that we all have a unique voice, and I wanted to find out what mine was. When I had my first child, I had an overwhelming desire to make things. So, when I went back to work at the office and came across the story of the Folly Cove designers in Cape Ann, Massachusetts, while researching for the magazine, inspiration struck! They were block printers and I remember reading that the process was quick, this was exactly what I needed with a baby to look after and a job. I bought some fabric, paints, lino and tools, and set to work experimenting. I also spent a lot of time naturally dyeing fabrics with avocado stones, walnut shells and turmeric. It was an exciting time for me as I hadn’t done anything like this before and I was learning so much.
I showed some of my prints to my colleague at the time, the Creative Director Jessica Hayns, who saw something in them and suggested I take a day course in block printing with Angel Hughes of Tobias & the Angel. There, I learned which lino was best, how to make blocks and which ink to use. It was great fun, and I went on to create my first collection, Woodland Animals, which is now part of Jean Monro.
You have Greek heritage. How does that reflect in your work or inspire you?
My parents are from Cyprus and I was brought up in London, living near lots of extended family. I heard story after story of how my grandparents lived many years ago. Village life was very simple: collecting water from fountains, washing clothes in outdoor stone basins, hand-making whatever they needed. They were close to nature, grew their own food, and resourcefulness was important. I’m currently working on a collection inspired by this, old stone churches, cypress trees, fishing boats and the sea. What I do is also simple, involves using my hands, and in many ways, it feels primitive.
What is your usual design process?
I sketch and make notes, and once I’m happy with something I’ve drawn, I move on to turning it into a repeat pattern, adding and moving things around. I use a lot of tracing paper and am endlessly sharpening my pencil! Then, I trace my design onto a piece of lino and test print onto paper or a piece of scrap linen or cotton. You’ll always find pieces of my work stuck to the walls in my house, so I can walk past a design and see how it looks from a distance and look at it with fresh eyes the next day. From here, I’ll stick the cut lino onto a piece of wood, my husband cuts it out, and my dad sands the finished block for me. And then I’m good to go!
How do you choose the colour palettes in your work?
I’ve had a bit of a journey with colour. I used to be afraid of it, thinking I wasn’t good at it, and played it safe. But over the years, I’ve become more comfortable being adventurous. Now, I look for balance and vibrancy. I’ve learned a lot about colour combinations by looking at nature, flowers in particular and sea life. The colours in a design can either bring it to life or quieten it. It’s an important choice and can depend on the type of project I’m working on.
Do you have any advice for aspiring creators or makers?
What I would say is to put your effort into what you’re naturally drawn to, whether you’re trained in it or not. Follow your inspiration and see where it takes you. Be true to yourself, focus on discovering and developing your ‘voice,’ and don’t compare yourself to others. Something I have to do is try and ignore the little voice in my head that says, ‘You’re an imposter’!
How do you approach experimentation in your creative process?
Experimentation is how I’ve ended up doing what I do! It’s still a huge experiment for me. Every time I draw a new subject, it’s a revelation—having never done it before means I have no idea how it’s going to turn out. It’s a very playful process and can also be frustrating. At the beginning, I used the wrong materials and tried lots of things that ended up on the scrap pile. As I said above, I have no formal training in printing or art, but reading on the subject, watching YouTube videos, asking professionals, and just having a go has helped me learn and grow along the way.
What role do you think craft and block printing will have in an era ruled by technology?
Craft is something to be cherished, protected and encouraged, especially in an age where AI will increasingly be able to create whatever we can imagine. Questions around what it means to be creative, an artist, or even a human being will become more common. For me, craft and block printing are ways for the artist’s hand to connect with the consumer’s hand — a human connection.
Can you tell us more about the story behind the cushions you have made for us?
When I had my second child, my husband, who’s an inventor, told me about a podcast he’d heard about a husband and wife who decided to give up their jobs and sail around the world on an adventure. He saw that I was really enjoying block printing and improving my craft, and he said, ‘Why don’t you give up your job and see where this can take you? You print, I’ll invent — it’ll be our adventure.’ The sailboat design is an ode to this moment when we decided to jump into the unknown together. The whales came about as a follow-up to my Woodland Animals collection. I’m working on an Under the Sea theme and when I thought about what was beneath the sailboat and the waves, my whale design came to mind.
How do you see your work evolving in the future?
I’m a big fan of applied art and would love to see my work on ceramics, bed linen and other everyday objects. I also really enjoy collaborating with other brands, so I hope to do more of that in the future.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this deep dive into the world of Maria Yiannikkou and her incredible journey. You can find her creations here at Shop Kit Kemp.