What Starts With Inspiration And Ends With Cute Walls?
A Nursery Collection, of course!
If you've followed me on Instagram or Etsy for a while, you may know that I have two little boys. They are 18 months apart, and each has more hair than me and my husband combined (okay my husband is bald, but still).
And though florals will always be close to my heart, and both of my boys love flowers, this new stage of life has inspired me to think beyond blooms.
It's important to note that we started our family in a 625 square foot apartment, and our current home is less than double that, so a traditional "nursery" has never been an option for me. Instead, I decided I could live vicariously through you all, and create the artwork for my dream nursery, for others to enjoy (and yes, I'm slightly jealous).
Collections take a whole lot of time, and each one has a story of its own. Here's a look into the journey of my latest collection!
Step One: Gather Inspiration
In 2021, my Mom and I had the rare and incredible opportunity to go on a Safari. True Story: It was actually a trip with my mom, husband and myself, but my husband get COVID on day 1 and was detained in Botswana for 14 days, missing the entire trip. Was that aspect somewhat traumatic? Yes. Was the Safari still incredible? Also yes. Sorry babe. We missed you.
Anyways, it was a momma daughter trip, and following that theme, the most memorable sighting was a giant herd of momma and baby Elephants. This image formed the inspiration for my "Swingin' Safari" collection. And yes, these are the REAL photos that we took!
Step 2: Identify the Feeling You Want Your Collection to Embody
As I mentioned, the greatest joy on my trip was seeing that pure and universal momma-baby bond amidst the herd of Elephants above. I knew I wanted to make this relationship the focal part of the collection. So I wracked my brain and perused thousands of images, searching for the perfect references that would embody that cuddly and secure vibe.
Step 3: Paint & Scan, Paint & Scan
I get all giddy once I get to this part, because I get to see my vision finally come together! Or, I realize the direction you're headed is totally awful, and I go back to step 2...But assuming things go swimingly, as they do about 10% of the time, my sketches and paintings finally come together. Then I scan them in, color correct as needed, and get them printed!
Ohhh, how I wish I had room for a Safari nursery in my own home. For now, my littlest is cozy sleeping his walk-in closet, but a girl can dream!
If you're expecting, have a kiddo who love animals, or know a mom who needs some cozy art for her babe, you can shop the Swingin' Safari collection here.
I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into my process!! I can't wait to share more soon.
Xoxo,
Carrie
