Customer Spotlight: Abbie Lois, Artist, Illustrator and Printmaker

Tell us in a few words what your business does?

I'm an artist, illustrator and printmaker based in Glasgow, Scotland. My work is inspired by folklore, storytelling and the landscapes around us. A lot of my artwork features women, animals, real and imagined creatures, and stories that have been passed down through generations.

At its heart, my work is about keeping these stories alive and helping people become as fascinated by folklore as I am. I believe these stories are an important part of understanding how we see the world around us.

Do you have a favourite folklore story you can share? 

It’s incredibly hard to pick a favourite, but I absolutely love one of the stories of the Cailleach  - an ancient goddess of the land in Scotland and Ireland who takes many forms, and whose name literally ‘veiled one’ or ‘old woman’ in Gaelic. In a very old Scots Gaelic poem, she attempts to describe how old she is, and states ‘the time when the great sea was a grey mossy wood, I was a young girl’. This story feels familiar to our knowledge of what would have once been a great land mass, Pangea, before it broke apart and left us with the Atlantic Ocean. I find it beyond beautiful that these stories appear to have a memory of real events, long before scientific or geological evidence. 

What kind of artwork do you create?

I'm primarily a screen printer, although I dabble in most printmaking methods. Screen printing is the main way I create my work, and I also teach lino printing and other printmaking techniques through workshops. Teaching has become a really important part of my business and allows me to share creative skills with other people while keeping my own practice varied and interesting.

What inspired you to become an artist?

I've always been creative. As a child, I was either going to be a vet or an artist. I eventually chose art, although I'm still completely obsessed with animals. I've also been incredibly fortunate to have been encouraged to be creative by my parents and two older brothers throughout my life. My family weren’t in the art world at all, but always encouraged me to follow whatever path I wanted to, which I’m so grateful for.

How did you get started in the industry?

I studied Illustration at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design in Dundee. It was a very open and experimental environment where we were encouraged to explore different disciplines and ways of making work.

After graduating, I spent a few years figuring out my direction before becoming a full-time freelance artist around five years ago. Since then, I've steadily built the business and developed my own distinctive style.

Where can people find your work?

I sell my work through around 15 independent shops across Scotland, as well as through markets, events and my own online channels.

Most of my work is very Scotland-focused, so that's where the majority of my stockists are, although I do occasionally sell further afield in England too.

How do you develop ideas for new pieces?

It usually starts with words. I read a lot of books and spend time researching through archives, libraries, museums and online resources.

Sometimes I'll discover a story or historical detail that sparks an idea. Other times it might be a landscape, an animal or a particular tree that catches my attention. If nature is part of the inspiration, I'll often head outdoors to study it properly.

From there, I begin sketching and building the artwork piece by piece.

What's the best thing about running your own business?

The freedom. It's both a blessing and a curse, but I'm incredibly grateful that I get to spend my days creating artwork about wolves, trees, myths and stories. It's a pretty unique way to make a living. I genuinely look forward to going into the studio every day, and I know not everyone can say that about their job.

What does a typical day look like?

I wish I had a more structured routine! I'm a runner, so I usually start my mornings with a run before heading into the studio. I'm definitely not a morning person, so I tend to start work later in the day and often work into the evening. One of the benefits of being self-employed is having the flexibility to organise my day in a way that works for me.

What's the biggest challenge you've faced?

Being responsible for everything. When you're self-employed, life doesn't stop just because you get sick - I recently got knocked out for a week with flu for example - or something unexpected happens. If there's a family issue, an illness or another challenge, you still have a business to run and customers relying on you. As a sole trader, there's nobody else to step in and take over, so learning how to manage those situations has been one of the biggest challenges.

Is your work seasonal?

Definitely. The run-up to Christmas is by far my busiest period. People are buying gifts, orders increase significantly and things become quite hectic. The quieter spring months then give me valuable time to develop new ideas and create new work, so it balances out quite nicely.

What skills have you developed as a business owner?

I've learned that being an artist is only one part of the job. Like many creative business owners, I'm constantly juggling multiple roles at once: artist, marketer, administrator, customer service representative, stock manager and accountant. It's impossible to do everything perfectly, but over time you find systems that work and learn how to prioritise.

What's next for your business?

I'd love to continue growing what I jokingly call my ‘folklore empire’. I'm always looking for new stockists across Scotland and potentially further afield. I'd also love to write and illustrate my own book one day. I've already collaborated with authors on various projects, but creating a book that's entirely my own would be a dream project.

You also teach workshops. How does that fit into the business?

I've been teaching printmaking and art workshops for around ten years. Some workshops are private sessions that I organise myself, while others are community projects run through charities and organisations. I really enjoy it because it uses a different part of my brain. Working with other people and seeing their creativity develop is genuinely inspiring.

How did you come to use ANNA?

Like many creatives, I'm not naturally drawn to financial administration.

When I first decided to become self-employed, I knew I needed a business account, but I wasn't earning much money at the time and didn't want something that came with lots of fees or complexity.

I came across ANNA and it seemed straightforward, affordable and easy to use, which was exactly what I needed.

What do you find most useful about ANNA?

The invoicing tools are incredibly helpful. When you're already juggling a million different tasks, it's a relief to have something that makes creating professional invoices quick and simple. It takes a lot of stress out of the financial side of running a business and helps me keep track of expenses and income without feeling overwhelmed.

Do you work with an accountant as well?

Yes, I do use an accountant, but ANNA still plays a big role in helping me stay organised. Having everything in one place makes life easier and gives me peace of mind that things are being managed properly.

Any favourite ANNA features?

I have to admit I was probably a little bit won over by the branding and the cat! My favourite - and least favourite - feature at the same time is the cat notification sound. If I'm out in public and my phone isn't on silent, suddenly there's a loud meow coming from my pocket whenever a transaction happens. I've had plenty of confused people looking around trying to figure out where the cat is.

How important is social media to your business?

It's a huge part of it. Like most creatives, I have a complicated relationship with social media. It can be draining and time-consuming, but it's also incredibly valuable for reaching new audiences, connecting with customers and finding collaboration opportunities. It's become an essential tool for running a creative business.

What advice would you give aspiring artists?

It's not an easy career path, but it's absolutely worth it. Even on the difficult days, I remind myself how lucky I am to spend my time creating work that I genuinely care about. If you're passionate about it, keep going. The challenges are real, but so is the satisfaction that comes from building a creative life on your own terms.

And finally, some silliness...

What's your favourite animal?

At the moment, probably the lynx. They're beautiful animals that once lived in Scotland and could potentially return through rewilding projects in the future. They're often misunderstood, but they're fascinating creatures and an important part of our natural history.

Cats or dogs?

Dogs. I love cats too, but dogs have a loyalty that's hard to beat. They'll stick by your side through absolutely anything. That said, asking me to choose between cats and dogs is a genuinely difficult question!

Check out Abbie’s work on her website and on Instagram.