One of my favorite artists out there - who happens to also be an embroidery artist - is Sarah K. Benning. Her work has become instantly recognizable for its amazing texture and detail and Sarah's unique point of view.
Sarah also started an awesome initiative called Craft with Conscience on Instagram about a year ago. The aim was twofold - to share the work of other artists, designers, and makers and to openly discuss how the internet (and others' work) can be a great source of inspiration without resorting to copying.
I was very honored to be the first artist interviewed as part of Sarah's new blog series. I talk about where I find inspiration, how I use the internet in my professional life, and how I deal with copycats. You can read the entire interview here.
I'm in the midst of designing some new paper goods for release later this spring and thought I'd share some of inspiration behind these new designs.
Black and White: If you've seen my line, you know I LOVE color, but I've also been experimenting with black and white and how to make a big impact with a limited color palette. I love the boldness of this KAUFMANFRANCO printed skirt.
The Desert: Living in Southwest Colorado, I am just a short drive from desert climates. I love the colors of the desert and the mix of deep rust oranges with light pinks, cactus greens, and sandy nude hues.
Image via Ojo Caliente
Navajo Rugs: I've been down a rabbit hole on Pinterest looking at antique Navajo rugs. The patterns and colors are so inspiring.
Image via Rahmanan Tumblr
Want to be the first to hear about Happy Cactus Designs' latest products and promotions? Sign up for our newsletter here.
One consistent inspiration behind the new stationery collection for spring and summer has been travels I have taken over the past year. Happy Cactus Designs' newest products for 2015 were heavily inspired by the great outdoors - drives through the Texas Hill Country, hikes along the Hawaiian coastline, and treks through Colorado's alpine meadows in full bloom. I always find myself feeling creatively refreshed after taking a trip and bursting at the seams to sketch all that I have seen and experienced.
I thought I'd share some favorite snapshots from these journeys that made such a huge impact of the development of the new collection.
While working on orders, I try to listen to podcasts. My favorite one is By the Way, In Conversation with Jeff Garlin. Jeff plays "Jeff" on Curb Your Enthusiasm, one of my all-time favorite shows. For his podcast, Jeff interviews influential people in the entertainment industry in front of a live audience. Past guests have included Larry David, Lena Dunham, Jeff Tweedy, and Will Ferrell (the guest list is like a who's who of my favorite entertainers/creatives). The interviews are equal parts entertaining, interesting, engaging, and hilarious. This past week, while sleeving cards and packing orders from the National Stationery Show, I was listening to Jeff interview Matthew Weiner, the creator of Mad Men. Weiner spends a lot of time talking with Jeff about how he rose the ranks in Hollywood to get to where he is today. While speaking about how he was so inspired to become a better writer after seeing the film Groundhog Day with Bill Murray, he said he learned to "seek what is great and it will inspire you."
This quote struck me in particular as I had just arrived back in Austin after a week spent amongst other stationery designers at the National Stationery Show. Being around so much talent in a confined area can feel overwhelming, but also incredibly inspiring. I returned from NSS feeling ready to push myself more as an artist and to take more risks. Being at NSS is a great reminder that the community of stationery people also serves to inspire greatness in yourself.
South by Southwest, the huge tech/film/music conference that takes over Austin every March, has been going for a week now. While I didn't shell out the big bucks for a badge this year, I was happy to see that many of the keynote speeches have been posted online. I just finished watching one from Tina Roth Eisenberg, the creator behind the design blog swissmiss, "designy" temporary tattoo company Tattly, and the Creative Mornings series. In her talk, Tina outlines the rules that she lives by personally and professionally. I found her talk so encouraging for a creative business owner like myself - acknowledging the joy that comes in being about to do what you love and confronting the inherent risks, challenges, and opportunities that arise. Check it out!
