In 2000 and while living there, Hartwig (the artist) decided to pen a different and more creatively designed Christmas card of Amsterdam (featured on the right) to friends. Little did he or anyone else know that this would eventually lead him to giving up his architect job and become a fully-fledged artist.

Spurred on by Isaac Lilos, his entrepreneurial partner who spotted the Amsterdam design in 2005, Arty Globe is the commercial result of the duo's vision & collaboration starting as a humble market stall at Greenwich Market in September 2008. 

By April 2009 the duo opened their first shop at Greenwich and since then they also appeared on BBC Dragons Den and thankfully did not get an investment so now they can enjoy the full rewards of their combined efforts.

Hartwig's commissions since include the creation of a wonderful design and product range for Hamley's of Regent Street (for their 250th Anniversary in 2010) and designs for The British Museum and the Guggenheim Museum (Bilbao).

After moving shop again in July 2010 they are now happily settled in their bigger gallery-shop at Greenwich with the work attracting many fans both locally and overseas during the past few years. Hartwig's original, fun and colourful designs can now be seen on everything from prints and canvas to stationery, home and fashion accessories - including beautiful, hand-made jewellery.

All designs are hand-drawn before they are later produced digitally in colour. A full panoramic city image can take up to several months to create,  such is the complexity of the detail required in each illustration. Five of the artist's intricate city designs are now curated at the British Library map collection and his work has been selected twice consecutively to appear in the Association of Illustrators "Best of British Illustrations" yearbook and exhibition - Images 34 (2010) and Images 35 (2011). His London submission "The string for the Pearls" was shortlisted for the prestigious SERCO Prize for Illustration 2011 award and was exhibited at the London Transport Museum in June 2011.

Hartwig and Isaac are very proud of what they have created through hard work and determination during the past few years. They are working hard to grow the range of designs and items available in the collection.