hot pink indian damask

early sunrise

The artist/designer from south western Ontario has also completed training to teach English as a second language, and worked at a garden nursery! But she states the thing that keeps her going in one direction is to work with clients creating design and branding, as that puts restrictions on what she is doing – “it is for a client in the end and I like the satisfaction of making clients happy.”

cyan rain

Always a maker, Vanessa admits that when she was younger she “taught a christmas craft camp (sort of) out of my parents house when I was little to keep the kids I used to babysit occupied over the holidays.” She grew up being surrounded by art, having artists on both sides of my family. “My biggest inspiration is my great-great-great aunt Evelyn Beatrice Longman who was a famous sculptress, the first ever who was let into a prestigious school of design. I never met her obviously but I take great pride by proxy in being related to her. Her most famous work was the Spirit of Communication which stood atop the AT&T building for years – she also has exhibits in the Smithsonian.”  Now that’s an impressive pedigree!

amoeba paisley

hippie camouflage

But, Vanessa says, she finds inspiration anywhere and everywhere, including nature. All sorts of people who challenge her in some way, both other artists and non-artists alike,  are inspirational. With all these tangents and interests, it comes as no surprise that her surface design is likewise very varied, touching on many themes from classic motifs,  kitsch and neo-gothic to 70s retro. However, a quick look through her Spoonflower portfolio demonstrates she is particularly fond of bold, clear colours and patterns with a geometric basis.

Spirit of Communication – Evelyn Beatrice Longman

Vanessa’s cabinet of inspiration