Meet the Maker: Willows

Welcome to our new series: Meet the Maker. With the launch of our Spring Summer ‘24 Collection, we’re taking a moment (well, several moments throughout the season) to highlight a few of our new seasonal prints, and the talented artists behind them. Every Sheridan design, every single season, is crafted right here in our Sydney Design Studio. From painterly florals to intricate geometric designs, every original artwork is crafted by our in-house artisans. So, when you buy Sheridan, you’re buying a design you won’t find anywhere else. 

For our first instalment of Meet the Maker, we sat down with Flavia, the artist behind this season’s Willows print. Flavia is one of our Senior Textile Designers and has been a member of the Sheridan design team for eleven years — so who better to kick off this series and invite us into the world of all things Sheridan design.

Before her career as a designer began, Flavia grew up finding inspiration in her surroundings at home. “My mother was my inspiration. She was very talented and creative. Growing up, our house was decorated and filled with so many beautiful and interesting things – tapestries, patterned fabrics, and carved furniture. When I showed an interest in pursuing the arts my mother was very supportive. 

I also had an amazing art teacher when I was in school, who saw my potential and encouraged me to pursue a career in art and design. With the influence of those inspiring people, it was a natural progression for me to become a designer.” 

At the beginning of each season, Flavia’s creative process begins like so many others – by hitting the books (or the web, or a little bit of both). “To begin the creative process, I research trends for pattern and colour. For me, the initial process is quite loose until I feel I have something with potential, and then I’ll develop that concept further. I like to experiment with different mediums and try out new techniques. I’m looking for inspiration and ideas all the time in everything.” 

“My concept for Willows was inspired by still life in modern art. I wanted to paint floral shapes and leaves with a loose and contemporary approach. I chose acrylic paints, because I love the way different colours blend with each brush stroke. It’s these details that are captured so well in a digital print. It’s like the whole bed is your canvas and I’m creating a piece of art.” 

Perfect for ushering in our Spring Summer ‘24 Collection, the Willows print features a hand-painted floral artwork in vivid colour. Digitally printed onto a smooth cotton sateen base, you can see – and almost feel – the detail in every brush stroke.  

To bring a piece of this artwork home, our Willows print is available in a quilt cover, tailored pillowcase pair, and tailored European pillowcase.