About me...
After I was a graphic designer, but before I was a painter, I was a printmaker. It took a little computer burn-out to get me back to working with my hands, carving blocks, inking them up, and printing... on all sorts of things.
It was just for me, grounding myself, getting back to creativity. I had a three year old, (and almost one more on the way) when I joined my friend, Eliza in renting a space away from home, a sanctuary of quiet, of kinship, a space just to play. It was a beginning, a time to dip my feet back into ART. The first thing I did was to gather the familiar tools from my days in college as an Art major - print-making tools. I knew deep down that I really wanted to paint the landscapes around me... but at the time, I didn't know how... I didn't even know how to start... so instead I carved and I printed.
Over the next few years Eliza and I moved into a new quaint little space in an old converted mill. We called it "The Mercantile". We hosted pop-ups with goodies and other local wares, antiques, flowers, all sorts of fun things along with our own creations. It was glorious now, looking back. It was for the pure love of beautiful things, with such attention to detail; be it a fresh loaf of sourdough bread or seedlings from a local farm. Everything was sweet and special.
My prints took inspiration from all of this beauty. I began printing on all sorts of things. Tea towels, cards, beautiful linen that was turned into pouches and pillows, bread bags and aprons. It was such a joy to create these utilitarian things. Everyday items that were elevated, special.
Ultimately, the band split up, the rent went up, babies grew bigger and my desire to sew product dwindled. What I really wanted to do next was focus on painting, face the invisible wall keeping me from my dreams. I finally got the courage to take some classes, to paint often, and to work on my skill. Years have passed and I am grateful for that dedication, because I can now confidently say, "I am an artist, this is what I do". Which I tell you now, that was not an easy thing to proclaim.
I am so excited to integrate my love of print-making with what I do now. Creating something altogether new, that draws on my history, yet compliments my painting work. The Signature Kerchief was created by collecting some old prints (the classic feather) and designing some new elements and piecing them together into a nostalgic pattern that feels a little old west, but also a little uniquely my own style. I'm hoping everyone else enjoys these little gems as much as I do. The buttery soft cotton/cashmere is going to be hard to resist!
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