Lennie & Co create unisex clothing for kids, that feature playful prints that capture the fun of being little. Created by graphic designer and mother,
Amy Walker, Lennie & Co. is a collection of stylish kidswear that works hard and plays harder.
Describe your printmaking process.
In the early days I block printed personlised t-shirts letter by letter but once business grew I couldn’t continue as it was so time consuming. I knew
I had to teach myself to screen print. I visited a local studio in Devon and got some tips from them, watched lots of YouTube videos. I like the art
of screen printing, it is more than just sealing a design to a t-shirt, the method makes it more authentic. There are a lot of heat transfer applications
about and I didn’t want to go down that route.
How and where did you learn to print?
I started the business by block printing using foam hand cut stamps. It was all very accidental as I was having a craft day with my son Lennox making bunting.
Then I had a go at block printing a t-shirt and the rest was history.
Why printmaking?
I’m a graphic designer and whilst I had always had a huge interest in screen printing I had never done it. My house is filled with limited edition screen
prints. I like the craft behind it, it always feels so much more authentic then a digital print and that you own a piece of the artist and their passion.
Where do you work?
We moved house last year and I converted our garage into a studio. Before than I was working in the spare room… You can imagine the carpet got a tad
messy. It’s nice to close myself off in the studio to work rather than it intruding on our family home.
Describe a typical day in your studio.
Well I still work full time so as you can imagine days differ heavily. This morning (Saturday) I woke at 5:30am to crack on with a wholesale order of our
Sibling Series T-Shirts. They’re just a one colour print so quite an easy task. Other days consist of designing prints for upcoming season. They start
something solely on the computer or some from hand drawn elements. I design all of our prints and hand print our slogan t-shirts.
How long have you been printmaking?
Two and a half years as a screen printer, although I studied Creative Art at college and Fashion at uni which allowed me to experiment.
What inspires you?
Mainly my son, the funny things he says but definitely the area we live in too. We live on the South Devon coast and I spend time with a coffee watching
the weather rolling over the sea. Beach huts, pebbles, shadows. I feel very lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the country which allows me to
relax and have a great work/life balance.
What is your favourite printmaking product?
An odd and unexpected one but my ikea kids plastic cutlery. I spread ink with them, mix ink with them and use them for everything when printing. Random
but I’d be lost with out them.
What are you most proud of?
Last year I sent a handful of my screen printed t-shirts to enter the Junior Design Awards. The awards are a recognised national competition for Children’s
brands form the UK and overseas, which include the like of M&S and Mothercare as well as independent businesses. I came Silver in the Best Emerging
brand. That was a rather exciting moment!
Where can we see your work? Where do you sell?
Our full range is available though our website www.lennieandco.co.uk. We are also available
on Not On The Highstreet and a handful of small online children’s stores.
What will we be seeing from you next?
Our summer range launches on May 24th. Which features lots of fun and colourful prints ready for the sunshine!
Do you have any advice for other printmakers and creatives?
Go for it! Be experimental if you have time. Time is normally my worst enemy to create new concepts but if I had more of it I’d love to venture into more
detailed printing.
See more of Lennie and Co’s prints on their website!