VUE

would be fun! But, honestly, if I keep getting to work on the types of commissions that I'm working on now, I'll be very happy. Talk us through your creative process. How does it all start? I hand draw all my line work with a custom Montblanc pen and ink, then I either leave it black and white or add color with gouache, watercolor and digital. Some of my illustrations are very fast. I usually post a quick sketch on my Instagram account each morning (@meganhess_official) and I only ever give myself 10 minutes for that – because I have so many deadlines to get through! If it's for a client, it starts with a brief and I always give myself a good amount of initial time to dream and get inspired about what I'm going to draw. Sometimes I'll do initial sketches or create a moodboard of concepts and ideas. en I'll discuss with my clients where my direction is heading. en it's to the physical drawing phase and I'm usually in absolute joy creating the final image. Is your aesthetic influenced by anything/one in particular? Everything! I love just getting out of my own little world and seeing how other people dress, live and create. I'm an observer and I love all the little details that make people interesting. I also think travel has a huge influence on me and provides endless inspiration. Do you find that social media has served as a positive outlet for your career? Enormously! Social media has allowed artists to really show their work to the world and I think it has really formed a community that artists can feel connected and encouraged to keep doing what they love. You recently wrapped up your book tour for "Paris: rough a Fashion Lens" — the second in a series. What made you choose that city as your next focus? I am so excited to share all my favorite Paris locations with everyone. It's a city that makes my heart melt and it was so much fun to write and illustrate! Do you have any new projects that you're currently working on? I'm currently working on one of the most exciting collaborations I have ever worked on as it brings together all my favorite elements. It is with the fabulous Oetker Collection Hotel Group which involves sketching architectural and interiors scenes, and sprinkling them with all the eclectic people you would expect to find there. I get to travel around the world and experience all these different amazing hotels too, which is exciting, not least because they're some of the most luxurious in the world. V U E N J . C O M 27

• Cover