Finding inspiration for creating is right in front of you.

I hear it all the time “I am not creative” from people that I come across after they hear I am artist, or if we are collaborating on a project. I tell them that I beg to differ, we are all creative we just push down some of our imaginative powers while we play the adult game. Inspiration can be found everywhere, you just have to make a conscious effort to believe in yourself and look at the world as if you are a child seeing things for the first time again.

In 2016 my first son was born, and during the transition of becoming a new mother, my focus was mainly on making sure he was fed every hour and changing diapers. Parenthood involved a lot of self-education and trial and error, but my husband and I made it through the newborn rollercoaster ride. When holding my baby, I found so much sweetness and memories in the littlest of things. I remember holding his hand while we nursed and couldn’t believe how tiny his fingernails were. I would look at his eyes, his ear, and little toes thinking to myself “wow my body helped design those!”. I tell people now that my kids are my greatest creations(with my husband too of course).

When my son was born, the midwifery staff stamped his foot into black ink and onto paper for his certificate. They also gave my husband and I an official tattoo by stamping our arm as well. This stamp later became my inspiration for my first baby related pattern “Little Love”.

During baby naps, I focused on learning a new skill, reading, or diving into self-improvement books. But lets be real, most of the time though I was just trying to get some sleep myself (if you’re a new parent you know what I mean) or quietly catching up on house chores. I did dive into surface pattern design though. I watched classes on Skillshare and started following other designers that inspired me. My Little Love pattern was developed to capture my son’s sweet foot and print it onto fabric so I could make a blanket as a keepsake.

I uploaded my finished pattern to Spoonflower (a print-on-demand fabric site) and let it be open for purchase to the public as well. I thought that others may be inspired by my print and give them ideas for their own nursery or wallpaper. It has been about three or four years now and my son’s footprint has been bought by people around the world and is my best selling design on Spoonflower! Since then, I have been asked by customers to create the pattern in different colors and scales to fit their projects. Women have used my pattern to for their own projects such as scrub caps and uniforms for nurses and doctors in labor and delivery, and blankets.

I felt a connection to people who have used my pattern for their projects because it was like they were on the same page of understanding that something so innocent and sweet is something to cherish and be remembered. I sometimes think of how serendipitous it would be if in the future my son came across his print out in the world, or was gifted a blanket of it for his own kid(wishful thinking!).

So I want you to know from experience that you can find inspiration from anywhere even in front of you. Create from your heart and from authenticity and you will be surprised by the connections and joy it will bring to you and others.