Early on in Tat's life, I got asked to dinner, an interiors dinner at Claridge's. I was not au fait with these sorts of things. Nor am I now. But then I was really wobbly before going in. It didn't help that I had decided to wear chintz covered 1970s shirt, I stand by aesthetically, but that polyester played havoc with the overall look. Soon into sitting down, with the pressure of singing for my supper, representing Tat and running hot as a person, my face was beetroot red, and I could feel hot damp hands resting on my lap (I hasten to add these were my own). I thought, you silly goose - this is not how best to show yourself. But thankfully, there were a few who didn't recoil on sight and made me feel incredibly at home. One of those was this week's Tete a Tat, illustrator and all round delight Fee Greening.
From a young age, Fee was taken by illustration. With the luck of being in a school that concentrated on the arts and having parents that were fond of visiting Venice, she was able to start her lifelong love of the Renaissance and religious iconography. After school, she went to Central St. Martin's, graduating in 2012 and receiving a Masters's from the Royal College of Art in 2014. The gothic, theatrical and religious elements continue in her work; it is these playful nods and incredibly eye for detail that have won her legions of fans, as well as a roster of clients and collaborators that any artist, no matter their age, would be proud of such as Florence + The Machine, Fortnum & Mason, Gucci, Hermès, Liberty London, Tate, The Royal Court Theatre, to name but a few. Her designs have been adorned on walls (Common Room), blankets (Saved NY), and even matchboxes (Polkra). With all this and moving into her new house in Dorset, I wonder where she found the time, but as ever, I am incredibly pleased she did.
Instagram - @feegreening & website - www.feegreening.co.uk
Do you believe in star signs?
One hundred per cent. It is laughable how Pisces I am. I am all feelings and creativity, a river of emotions. I possess no common sense but can sculpt you a unicorn out of twigs should you need it. I’m also left-handed which exhaustingly doubles these traits.
Favourite tube line?
Northern.
Last great meal you had?
A banging cheese sandwich carefully carried in tin foil on a long walk.
Dream Car?
A Terra Danbury Campervan. It's a pick-up truck with beds in the back. The logo is in the lord of the rings font. The perfect post-pub crash pad.
Girl Crush?
Patti Smith, PJ Harvey, Anita Pallenberg, Lilith, Bathsheba Everdene, Betty Davis and all the cackling banshee’s who make up my inner coven.
Boy Crush?
Robert Plant and Keith Richards.
What would your autobiography be called?
Where there's a quill there's a way.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
I am very lucky to live in a beautiful little cottage in Dorset, so I am happy here. But I do feel a yearning to get closer to the sea. I grew up right on the coast in Devon and spent my youngest years awestruck at the stormy waves crashing against my grandparent's living room window. I hope to inch my way closer and closer until I can smell the salt.
What are you most looking forward to in the coming months?
This month I take delivery of my very own Shepherds hut. I’ll be like Baba Yaga in the woods. It's the first time I’ve had a private space to work. I’m so excited.
Do you like surprises?
I do, but I have the witchiest intuition so unfortunately, I usually sense something is afoot and then am a tangle of nerves working out how to act sufficiently surprised.
Are you a host or a guest?
We host hard in our house and most weekends, a motley crew of friends piled in gossiping over late morning eggy baps. But it's pyjama and welly boot energy, a bowl of kettle chips is as Hyacinth Bouquet as I get.
What song always makes you tap your foot?
When the Levee Breaks, Led Zeppelin.
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