featured artists

Rachna has been designing surface prints since 2004, and woven products for almost two decades before that. This woven influence is evident in her designs on WeaveUp - kaleidoscope, layered effects make her prints wholly unique. Learn about Rachna's inspirations and influences in today's Featured Artist interview. You can find Rachna's designs under the WeaveUp name RachnaDesigns. Where do you live? New Delhi, India Does where you live influence your art? Indian culture is full of color - we have many states, many languages, and many different foods. I infuse all of this richness into my art. Weaving is a traditional Indian craft, with families passing the craft down to new generations. Women in villages weave dhurries, saris, and stoles in addition to housework. There are many other cottage industry products made by women - women's empowerment has influenced my collections and designs. Tell us about your studio/workspace. My laptop with internet is my studio - I can design anywhere. When did you begin designing surface prints? What inspired you to get started?  2004 - a project to reduce the colors and put into repeat 40 designs from Italy was the start of this journey. I did almost 20 designs a month for companies in the USA, Dubai, China, Italy, Australia until 2012. My prints were also sold via agents. Before that, I was designing woven fabrics, rugs, home furnishings, and other exports from India since 1986. What advice do you have for creatives just getting started? SLOG HARD What would you love to see your print sewn into? Table cloths, shower curtains, and pillows. What is your go-to color combination? Black and white has a lot of potential, as well as beige and earthy tones. Do you have a signature design style? How would you describe it? I love to create ikat patterns, and can convert almost any design into a seamless pattern repeat. Mandala style is very interesting, as well as kaleidoscopes. Weaves, plaids, stripes, and waves in weaves. Woven patterns, which are difficult to produce, can now be created as surface prints. Tell us about your weaving experience. Dobby and jacquard looks are my forte, as well as 8 pedal weaves. I have run a handloom on my own for 2 years and can weave my own designs. As of now I also export my own handwoven dhurries. The cutshuttle dhurry, also known as the Santa Fe rug, sells in the USA, Japan, Dubai, and Indonesia. My dhurries are also being sold as yoga mats, since they are made of cotton. Thanks to Rachna for speaking with us! You can shop Rachna's designs here.

From her studio space in New Zealand, overlooking fields and farmland, Samalah Sandbrook (aka MMMedia) creates colorful surface prints. Experimenting with everything from dragon scales to construction equipment, Samalah's designs cover quite a range. Meet Samalah, our latest Featured Artist, today on the blog.

Get to know Becky Adamson, aka Garigal, our latest Featured Artist.

Today's Featured Artist, Margaret Juul, has an incredible talent for capturing the beauty of water. Light bouncing off ripples, the curl of a crashing wave, a shell sitting just below the surface - Margaret captures these moments in large scale paintings. Now, she's turned some of her paintings into surface designs, available here on WeaveUp! Read on to learn more about Margaret & shop her designs.