I started my business about six years ago, back home in the UK, and have been working as a full-time illustrator ever since.
I tried doing an office job before that but it just wasn't for me. I had a degree in illustration and had always taken odd creative jobs; deciding to go freelance just meant I had the time and energy to really push myself.
I began by doing the odd magazine illustration but as the business grew, I began doing more high-profile designs for packaging, book covers and advertising campaigns.
When I moved to Abu Dhabi two years ago with my husband, I already had a base of clients in London, but I wasn't sure how I could continue working with them from so far away. The reality is that it makes no difference - actually it's enabled me to reach out to a larger client base.
I loved working on campaigns for Harvey Nichols and Tiffany. My favourite job, though, was the range I designed for the American chocolate company Moonstruck. I did about eight bar designs and I even got to design the moulds into which the chocolate was poured, so my illustrations were actually on the chocolate.
I'm a member of Tashkeel in Dubai, which is a hub of fascinating creative people and workshops. It never fails to inspire me.
I also met lots of inspiring illustrators at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair last year, where they have an illustrators' corner. That's certainly worth a look.
I would also recommend the gorgeous letterpress stationery by White Ink, plus there are some new crafty people showing work at the Friday market in Khalifa Park. There are a few fascinating galleries in Bastikiya, especially the furniture in the Majlis Gallery.
My absolute favourite project this year is a range of books I designed for Barnes & Noble. They are children's classics, bound in leather with beautiful foils and finishes. So far I have done six that will be released later this year.
My current project is a new range of framed, laser-cut paper illustrations, which I am launching in the UAE very soon. I am pretty excited about them.
I would also like to expand my business locally and maybe supply some shops or galleries here. I'm also dying to incorporate Arabic lettering in my work. Since most of my illustrations are based around handwritten lettering, it's the next obvious step.
Kate's prints and paper cuts can be ordered via kate@kateforrester.co.uk. To see more of her work, visit www.kateforrester.co.uk
