What's Your Canvas?: An Interview with blogger Karen Young of Hammocks & High Tea

Comments on blogs do a world of good for the blogger and for the readers of the blog. I discovered this when Karen Young, blogger of Hammocks & High Tea, left a comment on a post I wrote. I checked out her blog, and was instantly inspired. Although Karen's designs are inspired by her childhood in South America and British influences, her beautiful nature-inspired feminine patterns with tropical colors remind me of my southern roots. Read more about Hammocks & High Tea by checking out her website.

Treat: What's your canvas?
Karen: I work primarily with screen print on paper and fabric. The fabric is more recent and I'm loving the journey!

Treat: Are you a Designer or Artist by day or by night?
Karen: I'm definitely a designer under cover of night for now...very Gotham City/Batman style of course.

Treat: How do you balance your day job with your creative time?
Karen: Right now there is little balance to be honest as my business is growing pretty rapidly. What I try to do is take a mental break in between work and (home) work, as a New Yorker usually that means the train ride to work and then home is just observing (ok..napping) and less thinking. I also try and get some yoga in and I'd like to get back to dance classes this summer hopefully.

Treat: What inspired you to create the items you make?
Karen: I was inspired very much by my South American upbringing. The culture is so rich and diverse that I felt I could really bring a unique and authentic voice to design. I felt that there was this idea of tropical design as palm trees and hibiscus covered fabrics; to me tropical is this seamless blend of cultures that result in rich layers of design.

Treat: What are some of your other inspirations?
Karen: My grandmother was always my main inspiration and the voice that let me know anything could be done; I credit her for nearly everything I do today. Also, growing up with a love of nature (except bats...and lizards) inspired me to work with eco fabrics and recycled products; I want to preserve my inspiration for my children to see as well.

Treat: You run a lovely blog called Hammocks & High Tea. How did you come up with this name, and what is your blog about?
Karen: The blog is the same as the business name; I came up with Hammocks & High Tea because I thought it was a great soundbite for my overall inspiration. My parents and grandparents were still very heavily influenced by the British, and my family is a multi cultural mix of all that history. We literally had supper and afternoon tea and would then run out to play under the mango trees and swing in hammocks.

Treat: How would you describe your personal style?
Karen: I'm a relatively simple dresser because each day involves me running on and off the subway. I own maybe 15-20 pairs of jeans that keeps building and I top it off with a New York sized bag and big earrings. Typical "island" girl though, I prefer the summertime when I pair loose cotton pants or dresses with flat sandals...and a big bag and big earrings (some things never change).

Treat: If you could pick a time period to live in, when would it be?
Karen: I would say mid to late 1800's in the UK because it's so far from my personality and personal style. I'd love to be dressed to the hilt at those lavish banquet tables and experience the sense of entitlement that accompanied wealthy daily life there. It's a funny thing because it resulted in part in some of the most beautiful patterns and furniture ever..this is all minus the typhiod and cholera of course. I would also have loved to be around for the Harlem Renaissance because the literary and visual art was so delicate, sexy, and strong all at once in this very concentrated moment. Plus, the ladies and gents were gorgeous!

Treat: I noticed that you're coming out with a Spring line of products? What products are you creating?
Karen: I always intended to create a line of soft home goods so for Spring I've delved more into patterns and fabric. I'm staying relatively small with the tea towels for now which have been getting a great response and I'm expanding the drawer paper in May to include two new colors and three new scents. Later this year there will be a few new paper products like a calendar and more soft goods. I can't wait! I'm moving at a moderate pace because I want to create items that are playful, accessible, and luxurious on a contemporary level.

Treat: More and more schools are taking way art education. What do you think are some of the benefits of art and design in the education of today's youth?
Karen: I think it's imperative not only to the future of design but also for society and culture in general. I'm lucky to have a sister who is an architect so even if I had no art classes in school I was exposed at home; she taught me to draw and to look at things from different perspectives. Since then I've never put down the pen and it opened my eyes to another world. I think so many childrens personalities are stifled by the restrictions of adult expectations; nearly every kid says doctor or lawyer when asked the "when you grow up" question. I think what the future needs is fresh minds that can collaborate and create to find solutions to the problems. I've always wondered why hospitals are clinically white when color is a healing tool; why doctor's offices are so offputting when people go there to be nurtured. Maybe if we keep art and design in schools these young minds will collaborate in ways we haven't.

Treat: How has art/ design helped you personally?
Karen: Art and design has taught me to see every thing, big or small, with appreciation. I look at the patterns in sewer covers, the marks of wet leaves on concrete, the intricate details applied to buildings 20 stories above ground; it makes me appreciative of the little things. I find that a rough day, an arrogant boss, or a nasty commute dissapear when you can learn to appreciate the little things.

Treat: Any advice for other creatives?
Karen: See it, feel it, believe it, and you will do it. If you want to make it a business, then pour yourself into it and make it as unique as you are individually. Surround yourself with people who will give constructive critisim and excise all naysayers. Ok so the naysayer could be your mom or something...don't excise her, she'll have your head...but keep her and your business at arms length then.