Meet the Maker: MogCherie

Some of our most popular products on our online shop are by local illustrator MogCherie.

Self-proclaimed Postcrosser, Antonia’s intricately designed post cards, wooden decorations and washi tape are everything a mail enthusiast might need in their stash.

Hi Antonia! Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your work?

Hello there, my name is Antonia. I’m the illustrator and creator behind MogCherie. I started MogCherie during the 2020 lockdown. From the disruption to everyday life, a creative flame ignited within me: “Life’s too short! Do what you love!”. This time gave me the opportunity to work on some of my own projects—thus, MogCherie was born!

The name MogCherie is a play on the French phrase “Mon Chérie”, which means “My Darling/Sweetheart”. Mog, however, is another word for cat. My two darling cats continue to be deeply influential in my work, particularly in my illustrations of woodland critters.

What inspired you to set up MogCherie?

I’ve always loved stationery—postcards, washi tape… I’m a bit obsessed! As a child, I remember rummaging through my Grandpa’s old desk and finding all these weird and unusual rubber stamps and fountain pens. There was a cigar box full of postage stamps in that desk too. I’d carefully look at each one as if it were a priceless Old Masters piece.

In my early 20s, I had aspirations of becoming a stationery designer—and that dream never went away. I wanted to create unusual and intricate stationery for my fellow snail mailers out there.

Can you talk us through your illustration process when creating your designs? 

I’m always scribbling down ideas for future illustrations. I draw inspiration from the places I’ve travelled, whimsical characters, and everyday objects.

I usually start with a series of sketches—sometimes they’ll stay as sketches for years; other times, a piece progresses effortlessly. That’s not to say my illustrations don’t take effort! Each one is hand-painted in gouache on illustration board, then digitally scanned to be integrated into the MogCherie illustration library.

My deepest wish when painting is to bring someone a little joy and wonder—to make someone feel that they’ve been thought of or considered.

What is it about Postcrossing that you love so much? 

I conservatively estimate that I’ve written over 1,500 postcards in the last 8 years (542 of those being official Postcrossing cards). And with every card I’ve written or received, my love for postcards has only deepened.

Postcards are like miniature pieces of art, lovingly chosen. It’s a deeply personal act—in the case of Postcrossing, you rarely know the recipient. Yet, we write and decorate these cards. Once mailed, the card enters a brief moment in time and space where it doesn’t exist. It might never be read by its intended recipient. But lo and behold, it arrives on a loved one’s doormat.
“I thought of you.”
“I miss you.”
Or simply, “I exist!”

The postcard is one of the purest forms of human connection—not expecting anything in return, just the hope that it will be read someday.

How does your love of all things postal inspire your work?

My fascination with the post comes from early memories of jewel-toned envelopes arriving through the letterbox, each with a different stamp to collect. Fantasy postage stamps have been a recurring theme throughout my art practice.

Postboxes, on the other hand, are so deeply ingrained in our daily lives—whether as landmarks or interactive objects—that they’ve become a universal symbol of British culture. My many postbox paintings are a homage to that.

What is the importance of Postcrossing in this age of technology?

Postcards are treasured artifacts of our existence—kept safe in shoeboxes or tucked between the pages of a book. Their simplistic nature allows us to connect with others without the noise of self-consciousness.

I’ve met so many incredible people through Postcrossing—people I’d never have connected with otherwise. Even if a card says nothing at all (look up chain-postcards!), it can still make someone feel seen. They’re like hugs in paper form—a hand-squeeze from across the ocean.

Do you have a favourite stamp or postbox design?

Ooh, that’s a hard one! The Penfold pillar box is the obvious choice for me, though I’m especially partial to the ones painted green—the standard colour before 1874.

My favourite stamp set is the 2001 Royal Mail “The Weather” collection, which featured the world’s first heat-sensitive stamp. In my opinion, interactive postage stamps are the apotheosis of philately.

A personal aspiration of mine would be to design and illustrate a real postage stamp—that would be a dream come true!

Check out MogCherie’s product range on our online shop.