Ashley Percival x Once Upon a Tuesday Collaboration
Working with other artists has been a dream from the start - so we are delighted to announce the collaboration with the talented illustrated - Ashley Percival.
Together, we have created a 2024 Calendar and notebook featuring illustrations of Ashley's whimsical Cats.
In Ashley Percival's world, you’ll find giraffes on bikes and zebras who surf!
He’s an expert at bringing enchanting, whimsical characters to life - for kids and grown ups to enjoy.
From his seaside studio in the Cornish paradise of Falmouth, Ashley Percival is the illustrator for big-name brands all around the world - and we are lucky to have worked with him on our very first Artist Collaboration calendar for 2024. .
He’s the designer of a range of children’s fashion-wear for Gucci and collections of licensed art prints and greetings cards for IKEA - so we’re in good company!
Furthermore, American TV network PBS have commissioned Ashley to create bespoke illustrations.
If you find yourself in an Indigo store (Canada’s #1 bookshop brand), you’ll discover Ashley’s gorgeous murals filling the walls of the kids’ section with joy.
And—a little closer to home—he’s the designer of some of the ads for Walkers crisps, too.
Ashley took his childhood passion for wildlife and infused it with his talent for art, landing on an unmistakable signature style.
We caught up with Ashley:
Ashley, when and how did you decide art and illustration was the career for you?
"Art was always my favourite subject at school, my school books were covered i drawings. I would do art in my lunch break and sometimes stay after school.
After graduating in 2010 I started to share my drawings on a tumblr blog, I then opened an etsy store and sold 6 prints on the first day.
I went from unemployed to self employed within a week. The etsy sales began to increase over time and I started to get commissions and lisensed my art for difefrent products. "
We obviously deeply love your cats, as we specifically designed a Cats Calendar - but which is your favourite animal to draw and why?
"I go through phases with different animals, when I first started my most popular and favourite thing to draw was Owls.
It’s been Cats for the last few years. I love playing around with shapes, colours and patterns. It’s fun to try and capture their different personalites.
I love their sassy and medatative nature."
Where do you draw inspiration from for new work?
"All of my ideas come from my imagination, I will look at an animal or think of an animal and draw it in my own style.
Sometimes I will look at a photo of a tiger once or just draw from memory. This way it will be more unqiue."
What advice would you give to aspiring illustrators?
"I think having a unique style is important, The best thing is to draw and experiment as much as possible. The best ideas come from nothingness. Just let it flow."
What are you excited about at the moment?
"I recently designed a collection of wine bottles for a wine company in Czech Republic, there will be 8 different wines with 8 Dog different dog illustrations.
I’m excited to see and drink them. "
Thanks Ashley - we're also excited about your wine bottles!
See the Ashley Percival Products here:
2024 Ashley Percival Cats Calendar
Two White Cats Ashley Percival Notebook
Find Ashley's illustration work on his website here: ashleypercival.com
Follow him on Instagram here.