Spotlight on our new ditsy floral print created by artist Hope Johnson. We asked Hope about her creative process, being a mom and staying inspired. Read the full Q&A below!
1. Where did you grow up? And where do you live now? I grew up in a small, rural town in south Louisiana. It's one of those towns where you're on aisle seven at the grocery store and you run into someone who will predictably ask "so how's ya mama doin.'" It's where I still call home today with my own family.
2. How did you know you wanted to be an artist? The writing was on the wall at a very young age. I filled my free time with as much creative practice as possible. ...there was an art form to everything I did, from fort-building to painting to setting the table for family dinners. The appreciation for the process was something that came naturally to me and I've been so blessed to have found it through art.
3. Where/how do you find your inspiration? Like many artists, I find my inspiration in the lands that surround me. Rural towns have a way of giving you daily landscape painting subjects, big fields of wildflowers, and sunsets that will take your breath away. It's hard not to be inspired by it all.
4. How would you describe your personal style? How does this affect your work? My personal style is one part warm and muted, one part flower child, and one part antique-collector. I'm not sure how to really combine all of that into a single word relative to an artistic style, but I'm a mix of personalities that somehow make up the work that comes out of my hands. I love my muted color pallets. I want ALL the flowers. ...and I love the combination of old meets new and those pieces that tell a story.
5. Describe your most memorable moment as an artist so far? My most memorable moment(s) as an artist is being able to watch the artwork I create come to life by fulfilling its own second life in some other form. My artwork is 9/10 times, created alongside my kids as they paint their own little creations. For me, that's the story. I created artwork alongside my little ones. ...but seeing the artwork live on to bring smiles to others through apparel, textiles, etc. is what brings such great joy!
6. What has been your biggest struggle as an artist so far? Patience. Timing is everything. There are things that are really amazing that come at the wrong time. There are things that come at the right time, but other factors hinder the wholeness. Having patience has been my most difficult struggle as an artist. Learning to trust the process, the timing, and your story is something many artists likely struggle with.
7. Your children call your workspace “Mama’s Shop” - what does this space mean to you? "Mama's Shop!" I'll have to get a sign made. For the longest time, I dreamt of having a studio space in town. As I mentioned in response to artists' struggles, the timing was always a factor. I had my first baby in 2012 and two more since then. As they grew (and still growing), their little bare feet have accompanied me on so many painting sessions that would simply have never happened had "Mama's Shop" not been located in my back yard. "Mama's Shop" is a daily reminder of perspective ...reminding me that peace can be found where you plant the seed.
8. What were your thoughts when PC reached out to collaborate on this beautiful floral print? Goodness ..my heart skipped a beat when I opened such a glorious email. Talking over the details to what was needed and getting right to the drawing board was the most natural feeling. It was such a sense of gratitude to be entrusted with the task to create the artwork for such a brand as Pink Chicken! I was honored and will never forget the opportunity I was given.
9. Have you ever seen your prints on clothing before? Working with Pink Chicken will be a debut collaboration for seeing my work on apparel. My daughter sat by my side when I painted these sweet florals and when I told her what it was for, she became just as giddy as me and I cannot wait to see her in one of these dresses!
10. Any sneak peeks or hints on upcoming works? Let's just say I'm super excited about 2020 and 2021. I'll be releasing an art collection inspired by stationery and some really fun collaborations with some of my favorite brands.