Artist Interview with Diane Rooney

I met Diane in a fellow artist community a little over a year ago. She is so practical, supportive, and inspiring that I couldn’t resist asking her to be a part of the Artist Interview series. I particularly love Diane’s answers to numbers three and four so be sure to scroll down to read more.

Be sure to follow Diane on Instagram @dianerooney_

Tell us about your art practice (if you have one) and the type of designs you create. 

I design seamless repeat patterns almost exclusively on my iPad and MacBook.  I used to draw everything in my sketchbook, scan or photograph and then work on them in Photoshop or Illustrator.  I still occasionally draw in my sketchbook as well as mess around with my watercolours or gouach as I love that connection with real art mediums.  However, most of my designs start out with drawing in Procreate using my iPad Pro and Apple Pencil.  Once I’ve created a moodboard for my collection, I’ll do some rough thumbnail sketches of the pattern ideas before sketching the final motifs.  From Procreate, I take my sketches into Illustrator (on the iPad) so I have a vector version.  I prefer Illustrator for making my final repeat patterns.  But I love the intuitiveness of drawing on my iPad in both Procreate and Illustrator.  It’s the best way I have found of retaining your own hand drawn style.

Where do you find inspiration for your work? Are there specific sources, techniques, or experiences that influence your creative process?

I expect this will sound like a cliche but honestly my inspiration is primarily from my love of family, home and where I live.  My children and grandchildren have always been a great source of inspiration for me.  I think about what I would make, and often do, with my designs for my family.  Whether that’s a quilt, cut and sew projects or a simple little book cushion.  Another source of inspiration is where I live.  I’m fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful counties in England, Cornwall.  With beautiful hidden coves, fishing villages and beautiful English countryside on my doorstep.  I rarely have to venture far for inspiration.  I like to think that what I design will inspire creativity in others and so that’s always inspiring to me.

Can you share a memorable project or collaboration you’ve worked on? How did it impact your artistic growth or challenge you creatively?

It has to be my first fabric contract.  I had many rejections and then I met up with a UK manufacturer at a trade show and they told me they loved my designs but I need to work on them a bit more.  I did.  It took me a year of practice and designing and drawing until I felt ready to submit to them again.  I did and got a contract.  I worked closely with them on my collection and they taught me so much about pattern design, what customers want, colour, scale and so much more.  I truly grew as an artist and designer during that time and since.

What advice would you give to emerging artists or surface pattern designers looking to establish themselves in the industry?

Don’t give up.  Stay consistent.  Keep drawing.  Keep designing.  It’s ok to get rejections.  Let that experience help you grow.  Don’t take it personally.  I gave up many times over the years.  It’s easy to feel despondent and look around believing the industry is saturated.  That’s not the truth.  There’s always room for artists and designers who are true to themselves and believe in the work they do.  To share their gifts with the world.  To bring a little bit of joy and sunshine to others through their art/design.  Don’t look at what others are doing.  Be your own true self.  Authenticity in all you do will shine.

How do you engage with the artist or surface pattern design community? Are there any resources, events, or platforms you find particularly helpful for networking and staying connected with peers?

It can definitely be lonely working from home on your own.  I have a small group of friends that I have met over the years via online classes/courses.  We have a private video chat group where we share our work, woes, wins and generally support each other.  I’m fortunate enough to have a couple of local friends, who are also designers, that I meet up with every now and then.
Online courses that offer Facebook groups or a private community are great places to make friends and connect.  General Facebook groups such as art, design, surface pattern design etc. are another great place to meet like minded people to connect with.

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OTHER ARTIST INTERVIEWS YOU MIGHT LIKE:

• Rosana Aziernicki of Antenna Studio
• Hannah Schneider of Little Oak Design Co.
• Roochita Chachra of Designs by Roochita