Kindred Tales | Polly Fern and Edgar | Illustrator and Ceramicist
Tell us a bit about your work and how it all started
I am a freelance illustrator, ceramicist and Canary Keeper based on the Norfolk/Suffolk border here in the UK. I create all of my illustrations and ceramics from my garden studio that my boyfriend and I built when we moved into our home a couple of years ago. I studied illustration at art school and then began to create ceramics, illustrating stories and showing narratives in new ways. I illustrate and translate my work into one of a kind vases, platters and plates, with each piece being designed, handmade and finished by me.
My work has been displayed in various galleries around the world such as The MET Museum in New York, The Sainsbury Centre in Norwich, The New Craftsmen in London and I am continually showing with Tonkachi in Japan. I did my first solo pop-up shop at Pentreath & Hall in London (in 2019) and continue to work on design and illustration collaborations and collections.
Tell us about Edgar and how he came into your life?
My family have had Whippets since I was very young, so they hold a special place in my heart. I had been wanting my own whippet for many years, and this year was the first time I felt like I would be able to bring a whippet into our home, as my boyfriend and I had moved into our first house and were settled and felt like it was the right time. I was looking for a puppy for a little while when I came across a Whippet litter just 30 minutes away. The mother of the litter reminded me of my family’s first Whippet called Pip, so I decided that if I was lucky enough to be able to pick a pup from this litter that it would be the one! We ended up collecting Edgar just as lockdown began to ease, getting Edgar has been the best decision I have ever made!
How does having a dog fit into your general working day?
I work from home so Edgar fits perfectly into my day. We wake up, (he sleeps next to me in my bed! haha) have our breakfast together first thing, I then take him out for a walk and run off the lead and to see his local friends! He usually has a nap when we get home and I begin getting on with my work and packaging my shop orders. He has a basket in my studio underneath my desk, so he sits in there whilst I am working, he is also just a puppy so has very naughty moments in the daytime, so I take lots of breaks in between work to play with him and tire him out! We then go for another good walk at the end of the working day. He really helps me to have a healthier work life balance, as with working from home I sometimes find I am at home all day, so he helps me to get out and about, I’ve never done so much walking!
When you’re not working where do you like to head out to with the dog?
I love to go see my mum and her two Whippets Bertie and Monty; we walk together on a field near her house. I also take Edgar to a puppy class every Sunday morning, which he really enjoys so I love taking him there. I also enjoy taking him into town and to cafes, he loves coming everywhere with me.
What essentials do you always have on you when heading out for a dog walk, and what do you carry them in?
Whippets hate sitting on a cold/hard floor, so where ever I go I always take with me a granny crochet blanket. My mum crochets them and our whippets seem to absolutely love them! I purchased a lovely leather lead and collar set for him when he was a puppy, and also got a little matching pouch where I keep his poo bags and biscuit treats!
What adventures do you have planned with Edgar for later this year?
We will continue with our puppy classes, we aren’t going away anywhere this year so will just plan day trips to the beach and woods! Also plan to meet up with my family for walks as we all have Whippets!
