Meet Fabric8 finalist Manuela Jarry (Maja Studio on Spoonflower), an artist and new mother from La Prairie, Quebec. Voting on the final round of Fabric8, our annual competition that gives designers the chance to start a new career as a professional textile designer by releasing a collection through Robert Kaufman Fabrics, opens tomorrow, June 6th!
I come from a fine art background, so painting and drawing have long been my favorite ways to create. I got a Wacom tablet for my birthday two years ago from my darling husband and I have to say I was very intimidated by it at first, but now I LOVE it! It is a nice complement to making art by hand, and it lends itself well to designing patterns. Textile design is new for me.
Many people inspire me! I spend a lot of time browsing online to discover new artists, and I am drawn to edgy designs by people like Tali Furman, Ana Romero, and the hand painted quality of Luli Sanchez– her sense of colour is fantastic. Canadian artist Rick Leong is also a long-time favorite, I love the Japanese print references and the subtle transparencies in his work.
My favorite artist: M.I.A’s first album, Arular, has changed me forever. Film characters I'd love to meet: I would like to cuddle with that big blue monster from Monsters Inc., or with any character played by Javier Bardem! Where I'd most like to travel: I would love to visit India and meet local artisans and craftspeople.
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