Hilary Masetti joined our collective in 2021 and has been sketching iconic buildings and landmarks in and around North London ever since.
What do you make?
I hand-draw London buildings and scenes using ink and watercolour pencil or ink and brush/pen. I then sell giclee prints and cards of my work.
How long have you been running your creative business?
3 years
What inspired you to start your creative business?
I have always enjoyed drawing and before I officially started my business. I was drawing houses and buildings for friends and family which were proving popular, so I thought why not give it a go! I also joined Muswell Hill Creatives which gave a me a great confidence boost to do something with my art.
I hand-draw London buildings and scenes using ink and watercolour pencil or ink and brush/pen. I then sell giclee prints and cards of my work.
How long have you been running your creative business?
3 years
What inspired you to start your creative business?
I have always enjoyed drawing and before I officially started my business. I was drawing houses and buildings for friends and family which were proving popular, so I thought why not give it a go! I also joined Muswell Hill Creatives which gave a me a great confidence boost to do something with my art.
Do you work at this full-time on your creative business or alongside other work? Tell us about your other work?
I did have another job when I first started my business but when things took off it was too difficult to do both. I chose to do the thing I love so I now work full-time (between school hours!) on my creative business.
How did you learn your craft - are you self-taught or did you attend courses - if so what and where?
I am self-taught. I have kept up with drawing/painting and it has always been a really important creative outlet for me throughout my life. I have focussed on a lot of watercolour and graphite work over the years and learnt mainly through practice. This has helped me to refine the drawing style I have today.
I did have another job when I first started my business but when things took off it was too difficult to do both. I chose to do the thing I love so I now work full-time (between school hours!) on my creative business.
How did you learn your craft - are you self-taught or did you attend courses - if so what and where?
I am self-taught. I have kept up with drawing/painting and it has always been a really important creative outlet for me throughout my life. I have focussed on a lot of watercolour and graphite work over the years and learnt mainly through practice. This has helped me to refine the drawing style I have today.
Where do you look for creative inspiration?
I have always been inspired by art such as hyper realism which I think feeds my love of detail. I see such amazing work on social media/galleries etc. I follow a lot of inspirational artists/illustrators on Instagram.
What is it you love most about the creative process?
The thing I enjoy above all is sitting in my studio with my music on and getting completely lost in a drawing. I love adding colour and experimenting with new ideas especially with a type of scene/ style of building I haven’t drawn before.
Is there another craft you are drawn to other than your own?
I did consider pottery at one point and I did a course. Also sculpting. I think that’s something I might try as a hobby one day though.
I have always been inspired by art such as hyper realism which I think feeds my love of detail. I see such amazing work on social media/galleries etc. I follow a lot of inspirational artists/illustrators on Instagram.
What is it you love most about the creative process?
The thing I enjoy above all is sitting in my studio with my music on and getting completely lost in a drawing. I love adding colour and experimenting with new ideas especially with a type of scene/ style of building I haven’t drawn before.
Is there another craft you are drawn to other than your own?
I did consider pottery at one point and I did a course. Also sculpting. I think that’s something I might try as a hobby one day though.
How do you find you benefit from being part of a creative collective?
It benefits me in lots of ways. Having my own little creative business is incredibly rewarding, but I spend a lot of my day in my studio. Being part of a creative makes me feel I’m not alone and have a group I can turn to with any questions or just for a chat! It has definitely helped me at this stage of my business and I am so grateful for all the support I’ve had over the last 3 years.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists, designers and makers?
Running a creative business is definitely hard work but it’s a fantastic feeling to sell something that you have designed and created yourself.
It benefits me in lots of ways. Having my own little creative business is incredibly rewarding, but I spend a lot of my day in my studio. Being part of a creative makes me feel I’m not alone and have a group I can turn to with any questions or just for a chat! It has definitely helped me at this stage of my business and I am so grateful for all the support I’ve had over the last 3 years.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists, designers and makers?
Running a creative business is definitely hard work but it’s a fantastic feeling to sell something that you have designed and created yourself.
What is the biggest challenge of running a creative business?
There’s never enough time in the day! I’ve learnt over time that I need to be quite disciplined and know when to put my pencils down. It’s quite addictive! Striking a balance I would say has been a challenge for me but I’m getting there!
When you're not working on your business, how do you like to spend your time? hobbies, pastimes etc
I love spending time with family and friends and listening to music. I’m part of a local choir which I love. I’ve also started early morning running but we’ll see how long that lasts!
Shop Hilary Sketches Here
There’s never enough time in the day! I’ve learnt over time that I need to be quite disciplined and know when to put my pencils down. It’s quite addictive! Striking a balance I would say has been a challenge for me but I’m getting there!
When you're not working on your business, how do you like to spend your time? hobbies, pastimes etc
I love spending time with family and friends and listening to music. I’m part of a local choir which I love. I’ve also started early morning running but we’ll see how long that lasts!
Shop Hilary Sketches Here
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