Meet the Qrafties: Penny Creedon, Creative Director and Illustrator in Hong Kong
November 2020 | 3 Mins Read
Penny Creedon, a Brit who’s been living and working in Hong Kong for the past 12 and a bit years, used to be an actuary, working in an office, sitting at a desk all day. But, when her life took a different direction, she fell back in love with drawing and painting…and from creating a small range of Christmas cards to send to friends and family, Paper-Roses was born. While freely admitting that she’s not perfect, Penny tries hard to be conscious about the way she lives and shops. And she’s brought this ethos into her brand, working hard to make production and the finished products, including packaging, as eco-friendly as possible.
When and how did you start your art journey? Have you always enjoyed painting?
When I was at school my favourite subjects were maths and art, but I took the decision to focus on maths and went into a career as an actuary. There’s a lot of studying involved to qualify and I didn’t really have time to paint. Thankfully, I fell back into it about five years ago which led to Paper-Roses.
Tell us about your art and designs. Where do you get your inspiration?
Most of my inspiration comes from my everyday life - the things I see around me and the people I’m closest to. Which is why you’ll see a lot of Hong Kong in my designs along with many images that focus in on my childhood memories and the things my friends and family love.
How has your practice in painting changed over time?
I’m a self-taught watercolour artist – I learnt the basics in school, but my progression has definitely been more about trial and error than anything else. I often find myself with a picture in my head – so I know what I want a finished piece to look like – but I don’t really know how to get there. I end up watching videos on You Tube, trying the techniques out and then adapting them to my own way of painting.
How was the transition from full time employee to entrepreneur? Is it what you have expected?
To be honest, I didn’t really have many expectations when I started – other than that it would be hard work. And it definitely has been. I’ve had to learn a whole series of new skills in a lot of different areas…but it’s been fun too.
What’s the hardest thing you’ve encountered in running your business?
Keeping to my eco-conscious ideals has been really hard, especially finding local suppliers who understand what I’m trying to do and will work with me to make it happen. I’m hoping that this is something that gets easier as more people start to shop with the environment in mind.
“To put it simply, it’s fun to get mail. It certainly makes me smile when I open the letterbox and there’s something other than bills and junk mail in there. And that’s not something that happens when I open a WhatsApp or email. The extra effort I know the sender has taken to choose the right paper or card, put pen to paper and pop it in the post means a lot.”
Why are handwritten notes still so important in the digital age?
To put it simply, it’s fun to get mail. It certainly makes me smile when I open the letterbox and there’s something other than bills and junk mail in there. And that’s not something that happens when I open a WhatsApp or email. The extra effort I know the sender has taken to choose the right paper or card, put pen to paper and pop it in the post means a lot.
What is your favourite activity or what do you enjoy most in Hong Kong?
Definitely hiking…although I’m not certain others would class my “strenuous walks” as hikes. But it’s definitely about getting outside into nature and making the most of the fresh air.
Which artist inspired you the most and why?
JMW Turner is definitely one of my favourite artists. I remember the first time I went to the National Gallery in London (I think I was 11) standing mesmerised in front of his Fighting Temeraire. It’s beautiful – his use of subtle but distinct colour is stunning. But I also love the simplicity of some of Wu Guanzhong’s pieces. I saw his Twin Swallows earlier this year at the HK Museum of Art – it’s spectacular.
What is the best piece of advice you have received?
Don’t try to do it all yourself. This is very difficult advice to follow when you’re just starting out, especially if you’re on a tight budget and paying someone feels like an impossibility. But it’s definitely worth recognising which bits you’re not good at and getting help with them!
Where do you see Paper-Roses in five years’ time?
I’d absolutely love it if Paper-Roses became the go-to for eco-conscious greetings and gifts in Hong Kong.
WORDS FROM OUR FOUNDER
“I met Penny at a local market fair. Her watercolour illustrations attracted my attention. I like the way she captures things around us in a cheerful and endearing way. I am also impressed with her dedication towards keeping her eco-conscious standard where she went an extra mile to look for a local company that can have her designs printed in an eco-friendly way. I found Penny to be a humble person and her sense of humour makes her a delight to speak to. I am grateful to have Penny as part of the Qraftie community and I am sure she will bring many joy and laughter to other members too.”
Thank you for being an appreciative reader as always. Meet the Qrafties is a series of Qraftie sellers’ stories, sharing with you the passion and hard work behind the creative works you see in their Qraftie stores. If you enjoy reading this blog post, please share it with your family and friends. Stay tuned on our next Meet the Qrafties story.
About the author
The Qraftie blog aims to provide you stories related to craftsmanship, culture and lifestyle around Hong Kong.
