Meet Brandy Evans-Moore: with a degree in textile design and 10 years working in the industry, she knows her way around a pattern.  We chat about her experience, her love of antiques, and how she likes to enjoy a flea market stroll in this installment of our Featured Artist series.

Where do you live?

For the last year I’ve lived in Raleigh, NC. I grew up in a small 3 stoplight town in the Piedmont called Stoneville, NC.

Did growing up in a small town have an effect on your aesthetic?

I grew up around a lot of handmade items and antiques – both my mom and my grandparents own antique shops.  I have an appreciation for old, unique items and I love hearing the stories around them.  There’s nothing more fun than sitting at my grandpa’s shop and listening to the old men gossip.

When did you begin designing textiles?

My mom did cross stitch and my great grandmother was a quilter, so you could say textiles run in the family.  I was always interested in art, drawing all the time.  I decided to major in art at East Carolina University and after my first textile studio, I was hooked.  We made fabric collages.  It was a lot of fun to use my hands to create layered, tactile pieces.

Tell us about your creative process.  How has it evolved since you started?

For the last ten years I’ve worked as a woven fabric designer for the home furnishing industry.  When designing for the industry, I looked at trends and retail spaces for inspiration.  Now that I am a freelance designer, I use images I find interesting or tell a story – I am not as tied to trends.  I am always challenging myself to find the sweet spot between art and design in my work.

What is your studio like?

Currently I work out of the third bedroom in my apartment.  It is a small space, so it has to be pretty flexible.  My dog Charlie (aka Char Char) usually keeps me company in the studio.

Where do you seek inspiration for new designs?

Pinterest is, of course, a great source of inspiration.  I also enjoy getting out of the house and discovering new places – especially flea markets and antique stores.  I really love going to the Raleigh Flea Market.  I enjoy walking around, eating popcorn, wandering through other people’s treasures.

Any trends you’re loving right now?

I really like the shibori-inspired fabrics I’ve seen lately.  I learned the Japanese dying technique in college.  With shibori, there’s a sense of not really knowing what the final product is going to look like, and that’s exciting.  The way the stitching creates resists is beautiful.

What is your favorite medium?

I like the fluidity of watercolor. There’s a certain calmness in drips and brush strokes that I always find soothing.

How do you incorporate textiles into your home?

I have a lot of pillows. I used to have a huge Suzani that I hung on the wall, but since moving over the last year, it’s in storage. I tend to have a lot of small rugs, I like the comfort of layering.

Do you have a favorite textile treasure?

I have a crazy quilt my Great Grandma gave me before going off to college. She passed away a few years ago, so it’s very special to me. I also have the first piece my mom ever cross stitched, a yellow rose.

Thanks for chatting with us, Brandy!  We’re big fans of your designs and can’t wait to see what 2016 has in store for you.  Find more of Brandy’s work at her website and on Behance, and be sure to follow her on Pinterest!