Catherine Conlan on Art & Fashion

Let’s be honest, the world of fashion can be repetitive at times. 

The same trends come and go in slight variations — I, for one, am happy shoulder pads are back again. But I live to see creativity burst onto the scene and breathe new life into what could feel like a monotonous cycle. When fashion and art combine, it’s exciting, captivating and unique.

The first time I saw our latest Fluid Print, it was like seeing abstract art in a brutalist house: amongst the structured pieces and robust materials, there was this captivating artwork that took all my attention. I had to get in contact with the print artist and understand how she achieves this fusion of fashion and art:

Introduce yourself & tell us how you found your passion for print?

I am Catherine & I am a mixed media Artist & Print Designer. I love fashion & art so it was the perfect combination of those two things.

I studied Fashion Design and quickly started working in Print & Textile design when I graduated Fashion. I have slowly evolved my practice & business to be purely Print, Surface & Textile Design. 

What are some words of wisdom you live by that help you stay creative or inform your creative process?

Make art every day… A friend has recently said to me, “try to create some form of art each day to maintain creative focus and develop your knowledge & skills as an artist”. I took on that advice and live by it… I am making artwork each day whether it is a small painting, drawing, an arrangement of found things or a poem. 

Music plays a big part in my creative process. I love to dance to music, and paint and draw while listening to music. I have it playing all the time. Loudly. I play the drums, so when I jump on the drum kit and play it makes me feel inspired to be creative. 

What did the creative process look like for the print you created for our resort styles & what was the inspiration?

I used ink & alcohol to create unpredictable markings and patterns on perspex. I transferred the ink onto paper & began playing with the colours & edits in Photoshop. I mostly create my prints physically, creating a physical artwork full of texture & unpredictability before I play in the computer to apply scale & colour changes and of course any requirements that suit the purpose of printing onto fabric for fashion garments.