Hi guys! Right now, the Surface Pattern Design Community is hosting a really fun 9-week pattern design challenge, and boy am I thrilled to be a part of it! Each week the first prize winner will get a feature on this blog. I know, so exciting!

This week I'm happy to sharing with you an interview I did with the WEEK 1 winner, Cheryl Hughes. She created a wonderfully whimsical design for the challenge that beautifully represents the weeks theme: fairy doors. Read below to learn about Cheryl's creative journey, and how she approached the design challenge. Enjoy!

Hi Cheryl! Please tell us a little bit about your background and how you got into surface pattern design.

I have been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember. As a kid I loved nothing more than a new set of crayons, colored pencils, drawing sets, and paints. When I was about 12 years old my mother signed my brother and me up for oil painting lessons at the local paint store. Not an art store mind you, it was the local paint and wallpaper store! So beyond the stacks of paint cans and displays of wallpaper we sat at easels copying a favorite photo torn from a magazine. I remember an older gentleman coming in and watching me work. He said something I would never forget "young lady, I think you're going to make it". I have no idea who he was but those words have stayed with me all these years later. Oil paint continues to be a favorite medium and I'm an avid plein air painter. Being outdoors in the fresh air, painting the wonderful world around me, is amazing.

I attended a vocational high school where I concentrated in commercial art. Later, I studied fine art and art history in college. I've worked in many mediums and have sold oil and watercolor paintings over the years. I've also worked as an in-house and contract artist for several giftware manufacturers. I did a little stint at TJX, sketching designs for the children's wear department, and that's where I discovered my love for illustration.

To begin with, I would take sketches from rough drawings to finished illustrations using markers, acrylic, watercolor, or gouache. I loved it, but wanted a more polished look, so I began exploring digital possibilities. I started watching any online tutorial I could get my hands on to teach myself Illustrator and Photoshop. In the process I discovered surface pattern design and was hooked! Once I learned how to turn my illustrations into patterns the rest was history. For the last year and a half I have been working quite a bit on my iPad using Procreate. I love some of the digital effects I am achieving and the portability. I can work from anywhere.

How would you describe your style? What makes your work unique?

What I think makes my work unique is my quirky take on things, my love of color, and my aptitude for a variety of mediums. For a long time I tried to convince myself to concentrate on one way of working and to stick with a particular medium. But I love working both traditionally and digital as well as exploring all sorts of mediums. My approach to my work often depends on the idea forming in my brain, and what I'm hoping the end result will be.

I might begin with a mixed media base and work digitally on top. Or I might start with a traditional watercolor painting and go from there. Rather than trying to fit my art into a box I am beginning to appreciate that I have this whole arsenal of skills to call upon to create what I am envisioning. If only there were enough hours in the day to put on paper all the ideas stirring in my head. It seems I am never at a loss for something to paint or illustrate.

How did you approach the fairy doors design challenge?

The fairy doors challenge was right up my alley! I loved the idea of all the elements that could be used for this deep in the woods mystical little world. Once I started it was hard to stop.....I just kept thinking of more things I wanted to add. The little fairies started out a bit skinny and were not at all what I wanted. So I decided to make them little plump fairies and that fit the bill. I guess in this day and age we need a little escape from reality and who wouldn't want to visit a little magical land inhabited by the wee people. The great thing about being an artist is that I can create one. I completed the entire piece on my iPad in Procreate and Paintstorm. It was a joy to work on from beginning to end.

What are your goals for the future?

At this point I believe I have a well rounded body of work suited to a number of markets. I have a new website up and am continuing to grow my Instagram following. I have already had some interest in my work. It's all very exciting and I am optimistic that I will fulfill my dream of seeing my work on products of all kinds.

So, I am going to continue bringing all the images in my imagination to life. I'm excited to be learning new techniques and ways of working and will continue to do so.

What would you like your colleagues and the design world to know about you and your work?

Hmmm.....that's a tougher one. I would like everyone to know that being an artist of any kind is hard work. It takes dedication, going against the norm sometimes, and believing in yourself. I want to urge my colleagues to leave self doubt behind and jump into new mediums. I want to encourage them to play around with new art materials and to have fun with their art. Sometimes that is what's needed to recharge and fuel the imagination.

I'd love the design world to know how much I love designing and I hope that is apparent in my work. I'd love to work on licensing some of my artwork and I'd love to collaborate on projects where a fresh new fun approach is desired.

Can you share with us a few fun facts about you?

I'm a DisneyWorld nut who visits often from New England and holds an annual pass.
I've had Dachshunds all my life with the exception of a beloved St. Bernard. They're quirky and fun....just like me :-) I'm hoping for a new addition in the form of an Irish Wolfhound.
I have a Skillshare class on travel sketching and that was an interesting project. I never thought I would be able to be on camera and it turned out to be fun. I learned another new skill in the form of film editing.
I was married in November to the most amazing and supportive man. I'm extremely lucky to be surrounded by encouraging friends and loved ones.
I have always wanted a pony and continue to wish for one with every birthday cake. It may not be possible at this stage in my life. Soooo....see above regarding the Irish Wolfhound ;-)

Want to see more of Cheryl’s work?

You can connect with her here on Instagram or via her website.

SPDC week 1 challenge winner: Cheryl Hughes