In Conversation with Ilya Milstein
It's easy for our team to become so absorbed in something—a classic novel, a delicious meal, an exhilarating conversation—that we lose ourselves entirely. This idea was certainly the case upon discovering Ilya Milstein's art. The self-taught illustrator's work demands attention at the highest level—though perhaps demand is too harsh a word. Rather than obligated, we often feel inspired to unearth the motivations behind Milstein's penchant for detail: Why did he choose to use that palette? To place that line or add that shadow? To render that moment on the page?
In Conversation with Himadri Pachori
Finding joy in the little things is a habit our team cherishes deeply. It's also something we share in common with the artist Himadri Pachori.
In Conversation with Elana Gabrielle
In Conversation with Manuja Waldia
It's hard to look away from Manuja Waldia's art. Awash in eye-catching colors, her work captures both the vitality and gentleness of ordinary life. Take Troublemakers, which features a vibrant gathering of women over tea—or A Fruity Bunch, a communal scene that delights the senses. When asked about the latter's creation, Waldia explained that she "wanted to create a picture of abundance, a safe space of leisure, enterprise, self and selfless care for the marginalized."
Mother’s Day with Dawn and Micaela Hoo of My July
We know spring is in full swing when pink blossoms give way to verdant foliage. Gardens bloom up and down...
In Conversation: Frankie Penwill
The Extraordinary Women of Ordinary Habit
With the arrival of Women's History Month, we can't help but think about the individuals who've brought our vision for everyday play to life, namely our artist partners. "It's been one of the most rewarding parts of starting this business," Echo reflected. "Getting to know the people behind the artwork and learning more about their processes has been amazing."
In honor of International Women's Day, we're celebrating a handful of extraordinary women who've left an indelible mark on our brand—and sharing more about the women who inspire their creative practice. Read on for anecdotes, memories, and musings from our global artist community.
Getting To Know Artist Ojima Abalaka
In Conversation with:
Priscilla Weidlein
In Conversation with:
Amber Vittoria
The women who occupy artist Amber Vittoria’s world take up space. Their forms are undisguised, alive, and moving. They hold your attention with a vibrancy that is unafraid, pushing the female form into something more fanciful. Color, rubbery limbs, big noses, bizarre and lovely postures, tiny heads, heeled boots that seem to appear from tangled and ballooning bodies—all of it is loud and hyperbolic, fantastic in its total disregard for moderation. Vittoria’s work appeals to our imagination, and also, how tired we are, how delicious it is to see potential and extent not expressed as achievement or goals, but with…roundness and Matisse-blues, and bodies that bring to mind, of all things, liquorice and watermelons and CMYK.
In Conversation with:
Christina Hart
In Conversation with: Shawna X
In Conversation with: Holly Jolley
Jolley’s work, which often features cats, brings about the feeling of a cat. A cat’s energy in the room. How its gracefulness arrives with quirk, some attitude, solitude. Her characters are eccentric; up to something. They display a sense of comic regality. Who is that woman wearing extra large sunglasses? Where is she going in that extra large coat? Why are rosy cheeks and barrettes twin accessories? What is it about a fuzzy sweater that lets you know this woman writes letters to her friends? What is it about references like E.T., or school uniforms, or cereal boxes, that knock us free of adult panic—that remind us to find a book, a quiet spot, a windowsill. Jolley’s work seems to say, “Look up!” Seems to suggest the possibility of getting weird or resting one’s eyes, because the work will always be there, so for now, take a break. Enjoy the cat who’s wearing a crown—that cat is certainly enjoying his cup of tea.
In Conversation with: Marleigh Culver
Zoning out to artist Marleigh Culver’s work comes easy. Her palette is alert to opposites, cool purples, and playful neutrals. She’s got a thing for shades of clay. Her pieces bring to mind a vacation’s memories; the way we’re more prone to look up (blue) and experience true restfulness under a shady tree (green, so much green). Culver’s shapes are open to interpretation and always in the mood for fun. Blobs—beautiful blobs—that bump into each other and contemplative Matisse-like petals that give life to a dreary day. Culver’s work is peaceful, up to its own thing, and isn’t that nice?
In Conversation with: Bodil Jane
Dutch artist, Bodil Jane, is known for illustrating everyday life with an attention to color and curiosities, and mostly, with a flair and quickness for detail—the crease on a pant leg, the shape of a fruit sticker, the thorn on a cactus. Her work is attracted to the art of paying attention and finding a particular note that draws you in. Like the rippled pattern on a seashell or the houseplant that looks especially alive in a purple pot, and now, all that matters is finding a purple pot for your plants. Hers is a world that feels familiar but twisted towards the imaginary.
In Conversation with: Echo and Tre
Interview by Durga Chew-Bose
Here is a list of satisfying stuff. Clean sheets and come summer, the miracle of a cool breeze; the movie ending when it should; socks that don’t slide down; pouring hot coffee over ice cubes; steam when you need it most on your face; a quiet room in a crowded house; a good stretch; a good (much-needed) big, fat laugh; the last puzzle piece, fitting where it should, just so.