Now, our third interviewee, Phoebe Morris, holds a special place in my little MFP heart. MFP was her first job out of school while she worked hard on her degree, she spent many hours at the store showing her creativity and general love for all things animal and whimsical. She is now out in the big world sharing her illustrations and fabulous mind with everyone. We are also super thankful that Phoebe made time to do our International Women's week window!
xxx Claire, Aimee, Maddie
MFP - In a few sentences, can you explain your work and what you do/make?
PM - I am a freelance illustrator, which means I draw heaps of different things for heaps of different people. I’ve illustrated squirrels having a picnic for Whittaker's, a parade of birds for Google, and everything in between. My work is probably best known from the Kiwi Heroes picture book series with Penguin NZ. This includes titles like ‘First to the Top’ (Sir Edmund Hillary) and ‘Taking the Lead’ (Jacinda Ardern). More recently I started a webcomic about a sassy yet endearing spider.
MFP - On International Women’s Day, what is the most important message you want to send out to other women thinking about their careers?
PM - In 2019 we got 79 cents for every dollar a man made, sometimes for the exact same work. It's wild. Get angry about it! And don't feel bad about being angry. Or asking for more pay. Rebecca Solnit is my favourite author for staying informed about where we are in the working world, and what still needs to be done. She's just the right amount of angry.
MFP - Who is a female figure that you admire?
PM - Dana Scully, Ripley, Trinity, Leeloo, Patti Smith, Princess Leia, Parris Goebel, Joan Wiffen, Missy Elliot, Tiffany Haddish, Kate Bush, Katya Zamolodchikova, Sarah Conner. It's an eclectic mix, get into it.
MFP - How important is it for women to lift each other up and what does that mean to you?
PM - Now I'm imagining a tall, teetering stack of women in business clothes. But in all seriousness, it is hugely important. My work definitely wouldn't be where it is today without the advice and mentoring of some badass ladies. Madame Claire Terry included.
Thank you so much for your words and time Phoebe!
To see more of her work head to OUR SHOP WINDOW!!!! or pop over to Phoebe’s website.
x
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