PAINTING A PICTURE

Katarina Roccella talks to us about how she turns her illustrations and paintings into designs for fabric

How would you describe your illustration style and what has influenced it?

I spent many years in art school - from high school until university - learning and studying different kinds of art subjects and developing my style. So I would say that years of doodling, practising and creating artwork definitely influenced my style that I like to call ‘perfectly imperfect’!

What is the creative process behind creating surface designs for fabric and what’s the best thing about it?

It all starts with gathering inspiration. Then I start doodling, drawing, painting and scanning. This is the most creative part of creating surface designs and the part I cherish the most.

Once I have my motifs, elements and textures, I begin with composition and colour arrangement in Photoshop. In Adobe Bridge, it’s easy to place designs side by side and to see how the prints work together.

However, the best thing about creating patterns for fabric is seeing projects other people create with my fabrics!

Where do you find inspiration for your designs and how do you decide what colours to use? Do you ever get illustrator’s block?

I like to challenge myself with different themes and colour palettes, and I try not to be repetitive in what I design. I am always devoted to my aesthetic and style. After choosing the theme, my goal is to find the harmonious mix between the main prints and the coordinates/blenders, and the colour palette that would be most appropriate for the theme and designs. These combined express my vision and mood of the collection in the best possible way. It’s very rare for me to get illustrator’s block, as I have the autonomy to create what I love the most!

We know you also love to sew. Does this help you design a fabric collection as you have ideas on what the fabric will suit?

Yes, I do! I think it can contribute a lot in creating the harmonious and balance to the collection, with options for quilters but also for garment and other type of sewers.

Do you have any advice for sewers on choosing the right pattern scale for a garment?

It may depend on what type of garment you’re making. For example, if sewing for babies and toddlers – smaller scale prints would generally work better, while for adults and also accessory items, I prefer largescale patterns.

What is your favourite fabric collection that you’ve created (so far) for Art Gallery Fabrics and why?

We counted 19 collections to choose from! That’s true! Actually my jubilee, 20th fabric collection for Art Gallery Fabrics will be out this autumn and I’m especially excited to see it launch!

It would be very hard to nominate just one collection, as they’re all so dear to me for different reasons and emotions related to them. Probably with each new arrival, I think to myself-this must be my favourite so far, until the release of next one!

We’re excited to see Boscage, your latest collection for AGF! Tell us about it?

Yes, Boscage is already available, and I can’t wait to see the look book launching this June. This collection was inspired by the exotic island of Borneo. It’s beautiful wildlife and lush jungle vegetation; I’ve painted in rich tropical forest colours, and balanced with earthy hues.

My newest quilt pattern for this collection is called Travaya. It’s one of those quilt designs that may look complicated to create, but is actually created with simple, nine-patch blocks. I really enjoyed making it so much and loved seeing brilliant Travaya quilt versions by my pattern testers!

To find out more about Katarina Roccella’s work visit www.likeflowersandbutterflies.com

Boscage From Katarina Roccella

Art Gallery Fabrics