Before ikat, before the “sketchy” look, my first textile design love has and will always be: BOLD LINES. I love a brushstroke with some meat on it and these designs from LA based, Millworks are totally speaking to me! Andrea Bernstein is the creative eye and design hand( as you can see in the photo) behind these textiles. After years in the industry, doing everything from knitwear design to becoming the head of design for a large textile mill, Andrea decided to branch out on her own and to design her own textiles. So, so glad that she did!
Andrea, what was the reaction when you branched out on your own?
I took our first collection to the Gift Show in NY and we were mobbed. It was great! I couldn’t believe that I had waited so long to follow my dreams.
What is the inspiration for your designs?
All the colors come from nature, but I electrify them. I start with collecting images of flowers, plants, leaves, really anything that interests me in nature. I take photographs to refer back to later and then return to my studio to paint. I tend to work at a very large scale so they can be difficult to scan.
I really love unusual flowers and combinations of flowers, leaves, and rocks, that may usually be overlooked. I love weeds and wild flowers.
Where can people buy your pillows?
We have a huge following in New England, particularly in Maine, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. So people can find us in stores around that area. We are also branching into California and will be showing at the California Gift Show.
Any suggestions for up and coming designers?
Yes. Follow your own style and do not work for a studio, it will ruin your identity as an artist.
Thanks Andrea!!! I am sure Andrea would be happy to help you find a store that carries her collection so just check out the Millworks site or call 213.629.1077 for more information. Enjoy!
11 Comments
July 13, 2011 at 4:48 pm
“…do not work for a studio, it will ruin your identity as an artist.”
I am curious; how does it ruin your identity as an artist?
July 13, 2011 at 6:17 pm
LOVE LOVE LOVE this work!
Thanks for sharing!
July 13, 2011 at 8:03 pm
large working surface design studios that focus on custom designing for specific accounts require their artists to volume produce art in the style requested by the client, and by the studio’s direction.
over time- i have heard numerous comments from other textiles artists i know -who have become dismayed over the loss of their own unique style ,after doing “studio work” for a long time.
with that said- there are many studios around the world that promote each artist’s work as a selling feature.these are where i would aim.
July 13, 2011 at 9:42 pm
Thanks for the response Andrea! I struggled with finding my inner “design voice” after leaving my corporate design job. For years I designed with a specific customer in mind and when those guard rails (this is an expression that they used at this company) were gone I felt totally lost! Has anyone else experienced this?
July 13, 2011 at 9:42 pm
Thanks for the question Hidi!
July 13, 2011 at 10:38 pm
Wonderful work! It is so refreshing to see people still drawing their creations by hand..
July 13, 2011 at 11:34 pm
thanks so much !! keep working. i think the world needs more color, more original points of view, and more happy design
and less :
serious
over priced
over-edited
over merchandised
diluted down
over thought
knocked off
i could keep going..
July 14, 2011 at 12:55 am
@mfifis: Your welcome
I thought that comment was interesting.I’m just trying to find out more information about the surface design industry; I might dabble in it in the future and I like reading designers’ opinions and experiences working in the industry.
July 14, 2011 at 1:34 am
Andrea, your work is beautiful!
Thanks for your advice, I’m branching out on my own at the moment and constantly have miss givings about working for myself. This has given me the little confidence boost I need at the moment!
October 12, 2012 at 7:09 pm
HELP HELP
i cannot locate a resource for andrea bernstein’s pillows.
please reply any information that would be helpful.
October 13, 2012 at 10:25 pm
They have a facebook page that may be helpful: http://www.facebook.com/millworksla