Color fever: The very diverse art of Bea Muller

Tell us a bit about yourself and your art

Most illustrators know they want to do something with art pretty early on, maybe even as a child. For me, that wasn't the case. I only started drawing in February 2020. as soon as I picked up my husband's iPad, I knew that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Sounds super cheesy, but this is how I felt. At that time, I was very unhappy with my career. I just hadn't found the one thing I enjoyed doing. I got bored with everything I tried before: Marketing, account management, and project/product management. So I decided to work on my mental health by picking up drawing. I'm a proper researcher, so I looked into what it takes to become an illustrator early on and thought up a style plan. Only 2 weeks later, I opened an Instagram account. It was such a blessing. I gained lots of followers over a very short period, and the commissions followed.

What inspired you when you made your designs for Lime & Lou?

My work is mainly inspired by our small mixed family and my daughter, specifically. So diversity is essential to me, and it's a recurring theme in my illustrations. Unfortunately, minorities are still not very well presented, especially in whimsical art. After my family, my second biggest inspiration is nature. I find plants and flowers wonderfully motivating. For the lime and Lou designs, I incorporated natural elements and colors into the work.

How does an average workday look like for you?

That's a tricky question for every freelancer, I think, as it can vary massively. I always do start my day with coffee around 7am, though. Then, when my daughter is out of the house, I either go running or start my "work" day with drawing. Sometimes I work on commissions straight away, especially after a run. Sometimes I make time for myself and start with some personal work. Around midday, I usually take a break from the screen to pack orders, take product pictures for my Instagram account and go to the post office. In the afternoon, I usually continue with commissions. Once a week, I'll do some admin: Sign contracts, fill out forms or answer interviews, etc.

What is your latest style obsession?

I don't know if it's a style obsession, but I do love looking at and buying picture books. Thankfully I can use my daughter as an excuse. For my walls, I usually like simple and minimal or abstract art. Outside of illustration, I love mid-century modern furniture and simple oversized clothes.

How did you design your own home?

We're living in a rented property, so we're limited in terms of what we can do here. But of course, we have our own furniture (mid-century :)), and lots of plants and wall art. I've recently dared to paint a wall. That's a big step for me, as I like to design for the long haul, and I don't like to follow trends. I'm always concerned I'll get bored too quickly if I go for the funkier decor. But I guess painting a wall is not too big of a risk. You can always repaint it. My favorite part of the house is definitely "my" corner of our sofa in the living room. It's teal and the exact same color I use in my illustrations - plus, it's soooo comfy. I absolutely love my office, too, but you actually find me working on the couch pretty often.

What's your secret to a well-designed home?

Well, as I've said - design for the long run. Trends will come and go, and you might get bored very quickly. Plus, it's terrible for the environment and not sustainable to buy a new sofa, cushions, bed, or cupboards every couple of months.

About Bea:

Bea Muller is an illustrator currently based in London. She creates whimsical, colorful designs like the Dancing Flowers Mural