As a natural next step from floral imagery, I’m now exploring other motifs of nature that are synonymous with or relate to flowers and gardening. Moths, butterflies, and beetles have such a beautiful natural design that I am breaking down into blocks of color and lines. My goal is to elevate them from their usual identity, taking artistic liberties with their actual anatomy, to become elements of design, pattern, and composition.

I can say now that 2020 has been the year of the flower for me. Floral imagery has continued to show up in many areas of my work. I talked a lot about my thoughts on how this has affected me personally here. As I have continued to draw inspiration from art history and other designers in the textile industry, I have been especially loving the nature-glorifying Art Nouveau and Rococo art and architectural movements from the 18th - early 20th century.

One of the main objectives in the original Art Nouveau movement was to reinvent the way the public viewed what was considered “fine art” versus a more utilitarian or practical craft such as ceramics. I am deeply passionate about taking my craft and elevating it to a level that goes beyond its original function. A mug or bowl does not have to just function beautifully, it can also be a hand-painted and hand-gilded piece of art with 22k gold. This is the heart of the Art Nouveau movement.

These buggy mugs will release Tuesday, October 27th. Be sure you’re signed up for our emails, our subscribers will receive the link first.