Illustration By Kiwi is a live illustration service based in Oxfordshire, specialising in capturing your big day through ink and watercolour portraits.
Frankie, the founder of Illustration By Kiwi, isn't just a talented artist; they are a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.
Frankie’s passion for art ignited early on. From a young age, they were always doodling, sketching, and dreaming up new worlds. Manga and comics were their first loves, followed by a deep admiration for the magic of Disney.
After graduating from the Academy of Arts and gaining expertise for over 15 years across diverse art styles, Frankie moved from drawing for fun and then from friends and family to starting their business. Now they want drawing to be their future.
When planning their own wedding, Frankie saw a gap in the industry – a lack of vendors catering specifically to the LGBTQ+ demographic. This realisation sparked the idea for a business that not only captured the beauty of weddings but also championed inclusivity and artistic expression.
Encouraging Inclusivity and Representation in the Wedding Industry
Illustration By Kiwi prioritises inclusivity in every aspect. It's marketing materials are a kaleidoscope of diverse couples, ensuring everyone feels seen and represented. Its social media posts and reels showcase the joy of weddings, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
Frankie and Illustration By Kiwi’s marketing materials are also constantly evolving to reflect a wider range of couples and lovers, with Frankie committing to ensuring they make more content to ensure their portfolio showcases the true spectrum of love and chosen family.
All it takes is a short glance at its social media accounts to see that Frankie and Illustration by Kiwi welcome all love stories with arms wide open!
The Personalised Touch for Lovers and Events
Illustration By Kiwi offers many different packages, including bespoke packages for couples and lovers. Frankie offers pre-designed packages or can tailor them based on unique needs.
This level of customisation allows the artwork to truly reflect the lovers’ personalities and celebrate their stories in a way that feels authentic and to a budget that suits them.
During the illustration process, Frankie captures the spirit of the event, from the magic and joy of the ceremonies to laughter-filled receptions, ensuring that guests feel like part of the artwork and the lovers’ history.
Difficulties in Promoting Diversity
When asked if they have faced any challenges or obstacles in promoting LGBTQ+ inclusivity in their business, Frankie explained that fortunately, they hadn’t.
We also asked them for any advice they’d give to other wedding suppliers who are looking to become more LGBTQ+ inclusive. Frankie said:
Be kind, accept people for who they are and don’t judge - after all, we are all human!
Frankie believes it's important to maintain an open mind and to continuously learn in order to serve all couples and lovers better.
Being LGBTQ+ in the Wedding Space
Frankie really relishes working with the LGBTQ+ community and said that they particularly enjoy the fact that queer lovers end up being quirky, fun and the ones most likely to express their true spirit.
They also believe that being an openly LGBTQ+ person in the wedding industry is contributing to the sector being a safer space, where all couples and lovers can celebrate themselves and their relationships with confidence. By simply existing as a business, Illustration By Kiwi is encouraging other wedding suppliers to embrace inclusivity.
Vibe check!
If Illustrations By Kiwi had a theme song, what would it be and why?
“True Colours,” Frankie replied, “not only do I like the song, but it also formed part of the wedding vows that I dedicated to my wife!”
What's the most unique or unexpected request you've received from a client?
“Someone once asked me to do an illustration of one of the newlyweds in their wedding night garments!”
Can you share a fun or heartwarming moment from one of your weddings or events?
“One wedding featured the couple’s adorable dog as the ring bearer so I got to illustrate them looking dapper in a tuxedo top!”
How do you like to unwind after a busy day of live illustration?
“Relaxing with my wife and a good drink. I’ll also give some love to our two cats, Meeko and Cleo.”
Describe your dream wedding (real or imaginary) in three words
“Magical, cosy and unique”
Finally, share a fun fact about yourself or your business that most people wouldn't know
My business is still really new so I’m still working as a chef while trying to build my illustration business. I’d love to be able to make it my full-time job, that’s my dream.
You can find out more about Illustrations By Kiwi on their profile HERE or head direct to their website - https://www.illustrationbykiwi.com/
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