I launched my newest collection on Friday – Wildflowers!
In the run up to Top Drawer in January I was advised to design a new range to launch at the event, so in the autumn last year I started to think about what my next collection would be. Wildflowers have been one of the collections on my to-do list for a while and I felt most excited and inspired about them.
During the Christmas rush I spent some time thinking about the collection, what type of products would the range includes, and learning more about wildflowers and choosing the ones I was going to paint. I used my Observer’s book of Wildflowers and RHS website for research.
I finally managed to find time to start painting and designing the range in December. I painted about 20 wildflowers and whittled it down to my best 12 for my first design of the range – British Wildflowers print.
I also designed four patterns from my wildflower illustrations. When I decided that I wanted to make patterns, I was stumped about where to start with so many wildflower illustrations in front of me! I had a brainwave and used my research to base my patterns on wildflowers that are mostly found in summer, spring, shady woodlands, and meadows. I found these groups of wildflowers actually work really well!
The product in this Wildflowers collection I am most proud of is Wildflowers Set of 6 Postcards.
It was SO hard to narrow down my wildflower paintings to 6 favourites but I eventually got there with my kind partner’s help. I wanted my postcard set to have a Victorian botanical vibe so I went for a very dark grey background with contrasting white text for plant name, which I feel works really well with my colourful wildflowers. I also decided to go for a different-than-usual paper stock for the set – ‘acquerello’ laid paper that is gorgeously cream and textured with fine-lined markings. It was a risky move and I was so happy when I saw it in print for the first time – it was exactly what I imagined it to be! Yay!
The new collection was received really well in Top Drawer and most of the new products received a lot of orders!
I am glad I pushed myself to do the patterns, which I always find myself in the deep end designing, and also trying a new paper stock for the postcard and notebook sets. I want to be more adventurous in the manufacturing area of my business (where I outsource primarily) rather than sticking with the usual cards and prints – which sold really well, but I feel like my vision is bigger than this: I want to see my illustrations on everything, from functional wares to textiles! I am a tactile person so that reflects my ambition.
Thank you for reading, I think it’s clear that I am fond of my new collection and I hope you love it too!