Interview: Catherine (lilla pomp) und Esther (froleinmint)
At lilla pomp, we treasure meaningful collaborations—with artists, makers, and people who share our love for life’s little moments. This time, we had the joy of teaming up with the talented illustrator froleinmint to create a greeting card that celebrates exactly that.
Both our brands are rooted in the idea of cherishing the small joys, so choosing the tagline “celebrate the little things in life” came naturally. What followed was a heartfelt conversation about creativity, everyday beauty, and what inspires us.
The result? A joyful illustration of a woman and child jumping in a puddle on a rainy day—reminding us that even the most ordinary moments can be filled with laughter and light.
Catherine: How did you get into illustration—was it a gradual journey or more of a sudden impulse?
Esther: Even as a child, I was drawn to colors, shapes, and materials. I spent hours drawing and writing, inventing little characters and stories—mostly about dwarves. One vivid memory is of a local oil painter whose floral artwork captivated me. I was so inspired, I tried to mimic her brushstrokes with watercolors.
As a teenager, I dreamed of doing a graphic design apprenticeship, but that didn’t work out. For a while, I put drawing aside and focused more on writing. It wasn’t until about five years ago that I returned to painting. The meditative process helped me overcome my inner hesitations—it gave me permission to play with color again and simply enjoy it.
Catherine: What inspires you most in your creative work?
Esther: Everyday life—brief encounters, fleeting moments, small observations. I try to always keep my sense of humor close. Nature is a big source too, especially shades of blue and green. Language, music, my cat, and even silence—all of them feed my creativity. And I truly value the exchange with other creative souls.
Catherine: Are there certain themes or moods that consistently weave through your illustrations?
Esther: I aim to strike a balance—between lightness and depth. My work can be playful, moving, and at times even thought-provoking. I love it when an image carries a poetic quality, something that lingers between the lines, while also bringing a smile to someone’s face.
Catherine: Do you have a preferred medium or technique—and if so, why?
Esther: I enjoy working analog, especially with watercolor—it’s vibrant, fluid, and full of surprises. I love how it can be mixed with other techniques like ink, colored pencil, collage, or even digital elements. My approach is very much “a bit of everything,” and that keeps it exciting. But paper is definitely my favorite surface. That’s why I’m equally drawn to working with collage—it offers the same tactile pleasure and playful freedom.
Catherine: What did you find particularly appealing or touching about our collaboration?
Esther: The openness and ease of it all. Even though we hadn’t met in person, the collaboration felt incredibly natural and harmonious from the very beginning.
Catherine: What was it like for you to translate the theme “Celebrate the little things in life” into an illustration?
Esther: I was immediately inspired by the idea. A few images popped into my head right away—first, a cheerful gathering of animals around a table full of cake. But then I kept coming back to a memory from a holiday: we were caught in the rain, and my friend began dancing with her son in a puddle. That image stayed with me and felt like the perfect expression of the theme—it simply wanted to be drawn.
Catherine: Which elements or details in the illustration are particularly close to your heart?
Esther: Especially the logo featuring Lilla Pomp in the raincoat — for me, it beautifully combines a clean, graphic style with something soft and playful.
Catherine: A few words about Lilla Pomp x Froleinmint :-)
Esther: For me, it’s a perfect match! Both sides share a love for the little and big joys in life — and that creates a truly special connection.
Catherine: Is there a detail that might not be immediately obvious, but was important to you?
Esther: The raindrops — and the little hearts scattered among them. The rain frames the entire illustration; without it, the image wouldn’t have the same feeling. I believe even gray moments can hold a certain beauty.
Catherine: What do you want people to feel or think when they see the illustration?
Esther: Maybe just take a moment to pause. And ask themselves: When was the last time I allowed myself a little break in the middle of everyday life?
