Today NEXT BIG THING presents the lovebird mini canvas, a wonderful handmade item from England’s Bonbi Forest. At only 27, designer Lee May Foster has her own company and an indie emporium, where she sells special items by artists from all around the world. Keep reading to find out how Lee finds inspiration riding horses in the countryside.

How old is your company and how did you get your start?
Bonbi Forest has just turned two. I studied fine art and when I graduated from art school I began hand screening my drawings onto t-shirts for friends and relatives. Realizing they were popular, I roped my web designer boyfriend into making me an online store where I could begin selling them.

And then the shop expanded last year, right?
Yes. Things have grown rapidly and I have expanded my range to include jewelery, scarves, tote bags and other goodies and delights. I also make hand printed limited-edition batches of t-shirts for bands, most notably for Mercury Award and Brit Award nominated band Bat For Lashes, and music makers Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip.

What is the origin of your company’s name?
The Forest part is an anagram of my surname (Foster), and the Bonbi part is an anagram of an abbreviation of the original name I had for the company. I like it because it sounds like it could be an interesting person or a magical place, plus Bonbi is a cute word too!

Tell us a little bit about the magical place you call home.
I live in the deepest darkest Cornish countryside in South West England surrounded by a menagerie of creatures and close to the sea. I spend my days riding horses, drawing and doing all things Bonbi Forest related. In the summer I like to go swimming in the sea and in winter I like to sit in front of an open fire watching the rain at the window.

Sounds wonderful. Probably a great source inspiration, yes?
Definitely. Living in the countryside I find myself inspired by the natural world which I like to give a magical and unexpected twist in my drawings and prints. I find inspiration in the world around me from nature and human relationships, good music and books and travels to far flung places. Also dancing, bright colours, music, hot places, backgammon and my wonderful beard sporting boyfriend!