Eva Black Design

Happy Monday everyone! I'm always excited to kick off the week with another Spaces feature. This week I have the honor of sharing textile designer and illustrator, Emily Isabella's workspace. Her work is perfectly playful and beautiful. Emily also has a great eye for color! Be sure to check out her amazing work after you take a peak into her studio...

Tell us about yourself as a creative.

I specialize in design for the young at heart. The goal of my personal brand is to bridge the gap between childhood and adulthood. Right now, I sell my art in the form of note cards, tea towels, and art prints but there is always more coming around the corner.

The second aspect of my brand is designing for other companies. I have a wallpaper collection out right now with Hygge & West (and a new one coming soon!) and I have just finished my first quilting fabric collection with Birch Fabric. I jump at the chance to draw on anything…

I also do design work on a freelance basis. Right now I am doing a lot of textile design and illustration for clothing but I look forward to one day illustrating toys and children’s books!

Describe your creative journey.

I remember having my first epiphany after reading an Eric Carle book (The Very Quiet Cricket to be exact) in first grade. I remember being in the school hallway and thinking, “I could do that! I am going to be an author/illustrator!”

My parents are both artists and in high school I felt the need to do something “different” than them. I was really into dyeing fabric in high school so I went to school for Fibers at the Savannah College of Art and Design. At the time, that seemed a different enough art form than my dad, who is a graphic designer, and my mom, a fine artist.

I couldn’t stop drawing though! All my repeat patterns told a story, I wove illustrated tapestries and I drew with my sewing machine. It wasn’t until my last few months of school that I came full circle to realize that I probably should be an illustrator. And here I am!

Share a little bit about your space.

I share my space with my husband, Paul Isabella, who is a furniture designer/maker. Most of the time it is just me in the studio, as he is often in his wood shop. The studio is located in the main space of the converted train depot we rent in Minneapolis. 90% of the time we are either working, thinking about our work or talking about our work so it seems appropriate to have the studio so centrally located in our living space.

What's your favorite thing about your space?

I love having a spot to put all the weirdness I find and make. I have drawers of doll heads, fabric, old art from school I can’t part with. We like to keep our home minimally decorated but I love having a little space for my treasures.

What's one thing you think every creative needs in their space?

Books! When I am in need of reference or inspiration, I head to my bookshelves. I love pretending to be a librarian in my own home. I don’t collect much, but I never hesitate to buy an amazing vintage children’s book or a really great art book.