This week we've got a unique designer and illustrator interview to share with you as part of our SpoonChallenge: Creating a Collection with Bonnie Christine. She attended SCAD, she hails from Brazil, and her name is Sarah Watson. Sarah has done everything from wedding calligraphy, children's book illustration, and packaging design, but her true interest is still, and will probably always be, in textile design. Now, let's delve a little further into Sarah's creative process, her greatest fear (hint: velociraptors), and current aspirations!
Describe your creative process.
I love to use my hands, so most of my creative process begins with that. This includes drawing, embroidery, sewing, and painting, amongst other things. There is a quote by Maya Angelou, "You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." This is so true, and it's a major part of how I work. I get flashes of ideas in my head, and put pen to pad, needle to fabric, brush to paper, and get the idea out. Even in my spare time I've always got something going. Just like having a notepad near your bed to write down your crazy dreams, I have sketchbooks everywhere. I draw as often as I can. After I've got stacks of fabrics, paintings, embroideries and drawings, I try to fit them together into a new project. This could end up being a fabric collection, a new notebook design, or wallpaper, it's not a perfect process and doesn't always work the same in the end. But the beginning part, just be creative.
When did you know you wanted to pursue design as a career?
Somewhere midway through college I realized that if I were spending the time learning these skills, that I should also try to put them to use. Also, that's about when I realized that design was a viable career option. But that's the business end of the conversation. Even if I were doing another job, I'd still design as a hobby.
What song best describes your creative process?
I'm going to cheat on this one…I think something like Girl Talk's All Day. It's constantly on repeat in my home. Why is it like my creative process? Well, it's multi-faceted, a bit of a mashup, but somehow comes together well in the end. It contains some recent bits, as well as a few classic elements. Also, it never stops!
What’s your most irrational fear?
Since I saw Jurassic Park as a kid I've always been terrified of velociraptors. At night in the dark I used to do the 'park the car/sprint to the door' thing. If you have an irrational fear of any fast moving animal, I'm sure you've done the same thing.
If you could only wear one fabric, what would be on it?
I think a lot of print designers will agree with me on this: I would wear a solid. Luckily, that isn't the world we live in! Right now, as elements, I'm really loving peanuts. So perhaps a peanut? Or a pineapple. More realistically, a botanical design.
If you could only create art with one tool, what would it be?
Ball point pen. But then, I'd need paper too, wouldn't I? Since I'm already at two tools, how about you just give me the whole lot?
What do you think makes a cohesive collection?
There are lots of hard and fast rules as to what makes a cohesive collection. I was taught these rules while studying textile design in college, and once I learned them, felt the need to bend them, of course. In general, it's good to start a collection with a main print, and pull elements from that print to create coordinating prints. A basic collection can have a main print, two coordinates, a stripe, and a blender, for example. A unifying colorway throughout the collection will also help it be cohesive. So those are the rules. But what do I really think makes a cohesive collection? Choosing prints and colors that you love, maintaining a good mixture of scale (I love to always include an extra large print and a teeny tiny print in a collection), and having these all sit well with each other. Your collection doesn't have to have to be matchy-matchy, but it does need to be able to be combined with itself when looking at a whole.
What’s the secret to a strong collection?
The secret to creating any piece of successful creative work is believing in it. If you've made something that you truly love, there's a great chance that there are a lot of other folks out there that will love it too.
About Our Guest Author
Sarah attended the Savannah College of Art and Design, majoring in Fibers (that means textile design, more or less). Amongst the many amazing specialties in the Fibers Department, she fell in love with textile and repeat pattern design.
After graduation, she went to work for Carter's, where she worked for three years, and gained invaluable industry knowledge. After three years of corporate work, she made the decision to take a more creative route with her work.
The vision of her brand is to fill your life with clever and stimulating pattern and color on a range of products that are diverse, but not frivolous. She wants you to feel that you can escape to a luxurious, funny or colorful place when you see her patterns. She aims to partner sophisticated and lasting designs with quality products that can be enjoyed a lifetime, and passed on to future generations.
Lovely to get to know you a little better Sarah. You obviously enjoy creating in many different ways. Just thinking how your Biology ticks all the boxes for a strong one – and I love it!
Sarah,
Your collection is great and you are an awesome designer. I am an artist, sculpture and clothing designer for my line of Christian Apparel, Believeoutlet.com. I am also looking to design my own textile. You’re collection is inspiring.
Congrats on the spotlight coverage from Spoon Flower.
BerniE
http://www.Believeoutlet.com
(951) 313-1291
I’m afraid of Velociraptors too!!! Jurassic Park III is what did it for me… I’m glad to know that I’m not alone and that I’ve got a kindred spirit in the design world!
Wonderful to get to knoe you!