erika_First Draft

    My artistic journey started later in my life. I didn't believe (due to my upbringing) that design can be a means of making a living and that one can be happy creating art. I struggle with my mother's voice telling me that what I do isn't practical. Versus my inner voice that reassures me that following my dream of being a designer is what I'm suppose to do because it's the best thing for my soul.

My work is truly ever changing. I get inspired by many things in my environment. An ad in a magazine, a geometric pattern on fabric, an instagram photo, my daughter's artwork. I'm drawn to geometric shapes and finding basic shapes out of convoluted things. I get inspired by colors and patterns and their relationship to one another in something. I'm primarily attracted to colors of something then the pattern.

I try to interpret what I see into digital piece typically a digital mood board then into a blog header. At times I will sketch what I see in my notebook that I carry with me at all times. I love to write as well so jotting down my thought of my sketch is something I like to do. I'm a bit obsessed with dates and time so chances are you'll find that in my sketchbook. It may seem organized but it's only because I like to know when the inspiration hit me. I'm always trying to find patterns in my inspiration since I have major peaks and valleys of design motivation.

I go through bouts of design creation and written word for days sometimes weeks. One thing that has been constant throughout my life is that I journal ever since I was 6,  so I like looking back through my journals to seek inspiration there. At times even my own handwriting is inspiration for me. That is the reason why most of my work features typefaces. I'm constantly trying to find balance between white space, color, and type. It is a never-ending struggle for me. A struggle that I welcome and is the driving force behind what I do.