I’m excited to announce Blake, our newest botanical textile. Blake is a painted, mid-scale leaf that I designed with a wide range of applications in mind, from upholstery to pillows and drapery. 

Last year, I had the privilege of visiting an auction here at Christie’s in NYC, the art collection of Maurice Sendak. Works of this notable children’s author have been a presence in my life since I was very small, and I was delighted to have the opportunity to go and view the works he had acquired, for his own reasons and inspiration. Among them were several pieces by William Blake. Truly, it was emotional for me to see what Sendak saw…the throughlines to his beautiful and iconic illustrations were evident in the works he had acquired. It was like being, almost, in his presence…although his is passed, it was like being able to have a curious conversation with him. I am so grateful to have attended.



In particular, the delicate and tonal watercolor techniques in Blake’s manuscripts and printmaking work spoke to me. Blake was a brilliant creative mind, and explored themes of mysticism, nature, and spirituality. I have always loved reading his poetry (Tyger, Tyger is one of my favorite poems) and Ihen I was small, my father gave me a beautiful children’s book of Blake poetry, called “William Blake’s Hotel” which was my introduction to his lyrical, layered world. Even as such, he was also a master technician, using printmaking techniques to achieve a luminous and complex style in his illustrative manuscripts.

These aspects were very much on my mind as I created Blake, our new leaf print..which draws on aspects of 1700’s botanical textile designs, as well as a painterly style and nature-inspired spirit that William Blake might have enjoyed.