TALKS
Interview with Marina Herp
Now settled between nature, art and motherhood, Marina has found a slower rhythm that is deeply personal and grounded: »My environment has clearly influenced my work, especially when it comes to rhythm: taking a break, listening to your body, your surroundings and becoming aware of what's around you. «
"My name is Marina Herp, I’m Aslan’s mom and I have another baby on the way. I’m a graphic designer and creative director by profession. Now that I’m a mother, my career has changed or rather, expanded. I now paint, work as a photographer, do screen printing, and explore other creative hobbies. In the end, I guess you could say I’m a multidisciplinary artist."
How has motherhood influenced your creative journey and the way you work?
At the beginning, I took a break. I’d been living a fast-paced life in the city and needed to slow down to be present with my son in his first months. After some time, my need to create resurfaced and I looked for a way to balance it all. I started creating content, working and painting while my son slept, and it was quite a challenge. I felt I needed to create at a different pace, one that didn’t align with what society expects, but I decided to trust my instincts and work more slowly and consciously, choosing projects I truly believe in and that share my values, as well as creating my own.
Your environment seems to play an important role in your work. Can you tell us more about that?
My environment has definitely influenced my work, especially when it comes to rhythm: pausing, listening to your body, your surroundings, and becoming aware. Now I feel a stronger connection to smaller, more mindful projects, ones that are respectful of the world and foster real relationships with the people you work with. It’s also made me look inward, and thanks to that, I’m developing personal projects, without expectations, that fulfill me deeply.
How do you manage to balance family life and your creative world on a daily basis?
I’d say this has been a challenge. Many times I feel like my house is upside down, parenting can be quite chaotic. That’s why the choice of what we bring into our home is really important to us. Creating a clean and cozy space feels like a priority for my family. Doing it consciously takes time, and I still feel our home’s decoration is a work in progress, but I really enjoy it when I find a piece I admire that fits our aesthetic and space. In the end, working as a creative director sharpens your sensitivity in many areas of life.
Single bed in solid oak with sofa extension and safety barrier
What importance do you give to craftsmanship and everyday objects in your lifestyle?
It’s all connected. Maybe acquiring a quality piece takes longer, it’s an investment and requires a different pace, but the difference is huge. Valuing craftsmanship and quality is something I want to instill in my children, and it all starts with the everyday: the objects that surround us day to day.
What does a typical day look like for you?
We usually get up around 7:30. The first thing we do is feed the chickens, if we’re lucky, they’ve already laid some eggs. We take a walk through the garden and have breakfast. Later, I take Aslan to the childminder, that’s my time to work.
I usually create some content in the morning. It really depends on the day: sometimes I design, other times I paint, or I edit photos from a shoot. My mornings are always different, and that’s something I love about being a multidisciplinary artist.
I spend the whole afternoon with Aslan. Some days we walk in the woods, other days we meet up with friends and hang out with the chickens (he loves them). Later, we have dinner as a family, play a bit to release energy, and then I put him to bed. I usually take that time to knit while watching a movie or series.
As I mentioned, at first it was a real challenge to combine work and motherhood, since I was with Aslan 24/7. It was hard to fit in work, but not impossible. Now that he’s almost 20 months old, he spends four hours a day with a childminder. That gives me mental and physical space to create in the morning and dedicate the rest of the day to him.
Before, I often felt like I wasn’t fully present in either area, now, everything feels in its place.
Two large storage baskets Vibes in mustard and sand tiles and green white windowpane
Single bed in solid oak with sofa extension and safety barrier / Leaf cushion L1N0 and Rectangular cushion embroidered with French linen L1N0 tassels
What values or principles do you wish to pass on to your children?
I want to offer my son a reality that’s respectful of him and his environment. I truly believe the first years of childhood are crucial and shape you for life. Even though making conscious choices isn’t always the easy path, I always try to go that way. That applies, for example, to food, personal care products, clothing, cloth diapers, and the objects we live with every day. We try to approach everything in a holistic way.
Single bed in solid oak with sofa extension and safety barrier
What are your main sources of inspiration in life and in your work?
My main inspirations are family, the garden, natural light, and our home which, to me, means both indoors and outdoors.
What are your favourite places to spend quality time with your family?
My local recommendations would be: Matt Café, Sitges a Granel, and the Sant Pere de Ribes stream. We love walking around there and watching the rabbits hop and hide.