Margo is joined by Aussie Surface Pattern Designer Rachael King. Obsessed with pattern from an early age, Rachael King grew up watching her talented mother making clothes not only for her and her siblings but for bridal and formal events too. While working in her mom's fabric shop, she mused over how the pattern repeated over the fabric and wondered how fabric was printed and wouldn't it be wonderful to design fabric too? It took another 23 years before Rachael was able to start a diploma in graphic design that would then lead into her dream of becoming a surface pattern designer. Represented by Nerida Hansen at Surtex in 2017 led to her first licensed collection with Spotlight stores and since then she has worked with fashion, homewares and greeting card companies, been a part owner in a print-on-demand fabric business, self-published two books, and is now teaching and mentoring in her much-loved industry. Rachael adores the connection she makes with fellow designers through her various touchpoints and feels very privileged to be able to inspire and nurture emerging surface designers.

Margo and Rachael discuss:

• Rachael’s creative path and how her mom instilled a love for creativity in her

• Self-publishing her book, Pattern Pulse, after initial rejection

• Elizabeth Gilbert's book, Big Magic, and how it catalyzed her creative endeavors

• Tribulations and triumphs of women in the creative business landscape: asserting value, advocating for fair compensation, and having a network of peers and mentors

• The importance of physical art in a digital age

• Why individuality and authenticity are crucial to the art industry

• How artists can stay true to their unique style while also being commercially viable

• Challenges of building a creative community in Australia

• The influence and support that often comes from maternal figures in fostering creativity

• Thoughts and tips for artists facing low payment offers

Connect with Rachael:

www.rachaelking.com.au

www.patternpulse.com.au

www.instagram.com/rachaeldoesdesign

www.instagram.com/australiansurfacedesigners

www.facebook.com/rachaelkingdesignsbrisbane

Connect with Margo:

www.windowsillchats.com

www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

In this part 2 of 2 episode, Margo is joined by founder of Lonesome Pictopia, Melanie Nead. Rooted in American tattooing, the wild spaces of the Pacific Northwest, and the belief that all work should be a force for good, Lonesome Pictopia is a woman-owned design collective creating magical worlds with original wallpapers, textiles, and murals. After fifteen years as a custom tattoo artist, Melanie turned her love of plants and pattern to creating one-of-a-kind, hand-painted murals, with an eye on releasing a house line in the spirit of historic wallcoverings. Their deeply designed wallpapers are traditionally printed in the UK by a sustainable manufacturer of some of the finest wallpapers in the world. Her work has appeared in Architectural Digest, Luxe Magazine, Casa Vogue Brazil, and the Business of Home podcast, among many others.

Margo and Melanie discuss:

• How to manage project expectations, setting clear boundaries and communication with clients

• The power in systems in order to save time and costs

• How building in a margin of error to the cost of projects has helped her team

• Infusing personal values and making a social impact into her work

• Math and knowing your numbers as a creative business owner

• Positioning yourself and how it can build confidence

• And more!

Connect with Melanie:

www.lonesomepictopia.com

www.instagram.com/lonesomepictopia

Connect with Margo:

www.windowsillchats.com

www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.patreon/inthewindowsill

Margo is joined by founder of Lonesome Pictopia, Melanie Nead. Rooted in American tattooing, the wild spaces of the Pacific Northwest, and the belief that all work should be a force for good, Lonesome Pictopia is a woman-owned design collective creating magical worlds with original wallpapers, textiles, and murals. After fifteen years as a custom tattoo artist, Melanie turned her love of plants and pattern to creating one-of-a-kind, hand-painted murals, with an eye on releasing a house line in the spirit of historic wallcoverings. Their deeply designed wallpapers are traditionally printed in the UK by a sustainable manufacturer of some of the finest wallpapers in the world. Her work has appeared in Architectural Digest, Luxe Magazine, Casa Vogue Brazil, and the Business of Home podcast, among many others.

Margo and Melanie discuss:

• Her creative path and the transition from tattoo artist to surface pattern designer

• navigating the balance between tradition and innovation within her art

• How to manage project expectations, setting clear boundaries and communication with clients

• Infusing personal values and making a social impact into her work

• The difficulty that comes with shifting career paths

• Discovering a passion for design after tattooing

• The impact of design and creativity on mental health

• The magic that comes from authenticity and experimental drive

• Business systems for creative entrepreneurship and how platforms like Instagram can still be a powerhouse for business growth

• Balancing the need for creative mental space with the business demands of schedules and deadlines

• Maintaining and revitalizing historic crafts and artistic expressions

• Cinema as a design inspiration

Connect with Melanie:

www.lonesomepictopia.com

www.instagram.com/lonesomepictopia

Connect with Margo:

www.windowsillchats.com

www.instagram.com/windowsillchats

www.patreon/inthewindowsill