About Us

This is the website of a family of creative types. Bernd has signed his work "Hi" for many years, which led to "Hi‑Creative".

Contact: If you have any questions or comments about our work, please contact us at info@hi‑creative.co.uk

Bernd & Ilse Hildebrandt

Born in Germany, where both trained for caring services in society, they served the German YMCA in London for over forty years. During this time they started a traditional German Christmas Market, whose distinctive feature was their diverse range of handicrafts. They continued supporting this event after retiring to Reading, Berkshire in 2003.

Bernd Hildebrandt's individual style of presenting pressed flowers was first noticed by the Stanley Gibbons Flora magazine, which exhibited some pictures at the Chelsea Flower Show in 1979 and published three illustrated articles in subsequent years. Many years later his experience in this craft led to the publication of Pressed Plants "Naturally" (see our Hi-Creative Shop).

Recently, "Hildebrandt" crafts won prizes in various categories at craft shows.

Bernd and Ilse have two children – Markus and Martina.

Martina Hildebrandt

Over the past few years, I have been using traditional linocut techniques and combining them with collage and collagraph printing, creating quite a family of strolling figures in the modern world's current obsession with small screens. I try to create thought-provoking images that have a story behind them but leave room for the viewer to create their own thoughts.

Trained as a Theatre Designer at the Wimbledon School of Art, I worked for the London Fringe and touring companies for 7 years. With creative parents, making things has always been a part of life. Then, for 21 years I dealt with a different kind of paint, but recently left that all behind me.

In 2012, I became an active member of the Reading Guild of Artists (RGA), where I have been able to use and develop various skills. I am currently on the RGA Council and volunteer as their Archivist, having been their Webmaster for over ten years to 2023. I also volunteer at Reading Museum, researching the connections between the RGA and the Museum's Art Collection.

Find out more, see my CV

Markus Hildebrandt

Born in London, I studied Mechanical Engineering at Middlesex Polytechnic and then worked in Germany and France for over ten years before returning to Britain. I'm currently working from home as a graphic designer for websites and printed publications.