The Heart behind Marsh Walk
I’m one of those people who find purpose and meaning in everything. Dates have significance. I love correlations and analogies. If there is a story behind a product or piece of art, I’m all ears.
That’s why I love pattern design. I love the process of getting inspired and figuring out how it could come to life in pattern form. It’s a way to preserve a specific moment through artistic expression. Read on to learn more about the patterns and colorways of the Marsh Walk collection!
The Backstory
As my debut collection, “Marsh Walk” will always hold a special place in my heart! The year was 2020. (Isn’t it crazy how we’ll ALWAYS remember what that means?) Like most, we walked a lot! My son and I took the same route to the marsh almost every day – down the path, over the bridge, around to the boat launch and across the trail to throw rocks of the dock. The first half of the year, he wore his blue rain boots, purple sunglasses, and bright blue camera around his neck as I waddled along with an ever growing pregnant belly. The second half of the year, I put a lot of miles on our double stroller adding our sweet daughter to our daily routine.
Pattern design was a new creative outlet for me and my head exploded with ideas as I learned this art form. Keeping up with two little ones with regularly changing schedules didn’t offer a lot of margin to dedicate to creating. So I quickly discovered I would have to weave it all together to make it work. And weave it we did!
Our daily Marsh Walks became all the inspiration and more that I needed to propel my new creative endeavor. We talked about the plants and animals, guessed if it would be high tide or low tide, and enjoyed countless games of “Pooh sticks” off the bridge. Returning home, I always left a few minutes to sketch out ideas I’d dreamt up along the way and write down related words or cute phrases from my three year old.
Those walks are a core memory for me – honestly, the happiest days of my life.
Something in me wants to believe they’ll be a core memory for my children as well, though their age be young! I look at the patterns of the Marsh Walk collection and am instantly transported back to that season. The joy of welcoming our rainbow baby. Hearing our son’s voice emerge after hundreds of therapy appointments. The gift of creativity and excitement of learning something new.
If ever I experience a creative block, I think back to these patterns – then get everyone out the door for a good Marsh Walk. With the ebb and flow of the tide, no two walks look identical. But, the feeling of togetherness is unchanging.
Palmetto Wave
Palmetto bushes line most pathways in the Lowcountry and are found along marsh banks. In neighborhoods, they often get cut back in the winter to control growth. As the new fronds sprout up in the spring, they look like hands popping up along the path to “wave” hello!
Waterways
These are actual Charleston waterways!! The local waters twist and turn and carve their way through the marsh in a unique and unpredictable way, connecting with other rivers along the way. But you can’t understand the full detail and intricacies until you get a bird’s eye view.
Just like in life – our days, ups and downs and seemingly mundane in-betweens may feel like a crooked mess with no real plan in some seasons. But that’s only what we can see on the horizon. When we take a bird’s eye view of all our days, we can see how they have been so perfectly and uniquely designed and intertwined to connect with others. So set out on the adventure- big or small without worry of the twists and turns. That’s where the real beauty is found.
Forage Friends
“Put a bird on it” was the solution for the little shop on an episode of Portlandia. And truth be told, it was an inside joke between my husband and me when my mom and I had a little shop several moons ago. My mom loves the Lowcountry birds – and my children do too! We always spotted birds along our walk so it was only natural to include a bird pattern for Granny. Now, it might be my favorite of the collection!
Pursue
“Pursue” was my 2021 word of the year – pursue the Lord, pursue the hearts of the people I love most, pursue a growing creative endeavor! I’ve always loved the concept of the Waverly patterns I grew up with. When I learned they were based on a historic pattern type known as Indian Florals, I knew I needed to try my hand with my own.
Well thankfully my word was “pursue” and not “give it your best shot” because it would have been very easy to throw in the towel on this pattern. So I continued to pursue the layout, flow, execution and coloring until it was just right. And you know what? It’s my best selling wallpaper today! Ironic? I think not.
Pursue is inspired by the flowering fall foliage of the marsh – it’s my favorite time of year to enjoy the beauty of the lowcountry!
Tumbled
It’s not the lowcountry without oysters. But unlike the “selects” you get at restaurants and on the gorgeous pieces of home decor, the shells that line our marsh banks are worn. They’re smoothed out, cracked, chipped and represent a journey of being tumbled by the ever-changing tide. Life can do the same to us, but there’s beauty in the scars and the story they tell.
Tumbled is a collection of shells we collected on our walks. But don’t worry, nothing was taken from a oyster bed that would affect the ecosystem!
Dock Daze
Ooooh perspective. It gives way to more interesting art. More realistic architectural drawings. To photography and world views and… our mindset. I have about 100 photos of the same bridge from the same perspective – just add in some little feet running 10 yards ahead 🙂
Knotted
It’s a fishing net. Nothing crazy to report here – but just a great lining or backing that goes along with the story the more intricate patterns above!
Woven Steps
A simple pattern but the most heartfelt meaning. Our daily Marsh Walks and the evolution of this collection were a symbol of weaving together the most important threads of my life. From collecting physical objects and inspiration, to dreaming up how to piece the patterns together and figuring out everything out everything else in the fringe hours – it truly is a woven life. I’m reminded that the idea is possible and it can be good! Really good.
