This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating three incredible artists, Carole, Jane, and April, whose creativity, passion, and island roots shape the designs you know and love. Get to know the women bringing these prints to life, one brushstroke at a time.
Carol
How did your creative journey begin, and what led you to Reyn Spooner?
I’ve always been interested in art and luckily I had parents (especially my Mom) who encouraged this. In art school I studied design and illustration. After moving to Hawaii, my path crossed with Reyn Spooner when I answered a blind ad in the newspaper, looking for a textile artist. It turned out to be for Reyn Spooner and my interview was with Tim McCullough. This was in August of 1997 and I began freelancing for RS a few weeks later. After 6 years of freelancing, I came on board as an employee in 2003.
Can you briefly describe your creative process when designing a print?
Many of my prints are licensing or proprietary, so there is a lot of research involved. There is usually something visually that speaks to me, and a layout will start to come together in my mind and then drawn out. Once the layout is finalized, a color palette is developed. Once that is figured out I’m able to start painting which, for me, is the most relaxing part of the process.
Is there a particular print or collection you feel especially connected to or proud of, and why?
What comes to mind are the prints I did for Lucas Films, such as Indiana Jones and the Star Wars series. Also the Godzilla print was fun to do, too.
What does it feel like to see someone wearing your design—or knowing your artwork becomes part of family traditions and collections?
I always enjoy it, and I’m happy they chose to wear something I created.
What has it meant to you to be a woman in the world of design and textile art?
As an artist, I’ve been grateful to be able to work in a field where I can use my skills, though I did at one time step away for a few years because I was experiencing burn out. Thankfully I returned!
What advice would you give to women who want to pursue creative careers?
Be prepared to put in the work. You still need to prove yourself by the quality of what you create. Balance of work and home life is important but don’t be afraid to invest the time in your career by improving your skills. Curiosity is a good thing. There were new skills I learned by just playing around with a new software program, trying to get to know how it works.
Jane
How did your creative journey begin, and what led you to Reyn Spooner?
I think I was born with the artist gene because I scribbled through all my little story books before I even attended school. I grew up in Hawaii and studied art at the University of Hawaii. Luckily Honolulu had a thriving textile industry and I found a job as a textile artist. After a long career in design, I have worked for You & Me Naturally, Tori Richard, Kahala and Hilo Hattie until a job at Reyn Spooner opened up. Vivian Flores and I were long time friends and she asked me if I would be interested in working for Reyn Spooner. That was four years ago and it has been a wonderful ride so far.
Can you briefly describe your creative process when designing a print?
Textile studios give artists a lot of leeway in creating new designs. Manufacturers usually have set directions for their collections. So once I get a theme or source of inspiration, it’s just a matter of doing research and following ideas I discover and then coming up with a concept. This concept is often presented as a mood board for a new design.
Is there a particular print or collection you feel especially connected to or proud of, and why?
My very first print was Big Wave for Kona Brewing. It was a fun scenic and I believe it did well. I still think it looks fresh. I also love Kia Orana because I like classic pareau looks. Coming soon is A Hui Hou that depicts scenes of Hawaii 50 years after Statehood. This design Is a follow up to my Hawai'i 1959 Scenic.
What does it feel like to see someone wearing your design—or knowing your artwork becomes part of family traditions and collections?
I am most proud or happy when I see my son or son in law wearing one of my prints. And then seeing men looking great at concerts or community events is fun. I will usually go up to them and say they look great in my print.
What has it meant to you to be a woman in the world of design and textile art?
While there can be corporate glass ceilings in any industry, I think women are usually respected in the design industry and many have risen to the top.
What advice would you give to women who want to pursue creative careers?
No matter what you aspire to be and do, follow your bliss. What are you truly passionate about? Search and talk to people in the industry you aspire to. Education and research will help you find your true passion.
April
How did your creative journey begin, and what led you to Reyn Spooner?
I've always loved drawing and art from my childhood! Took as many art classes at `Iolani as I could, then continued my education at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn (majored in printmaking!). After I graduated, I missed home a lot so I moved back right after but had difficulty finding an art-related job (closest was teaching at HoMA)...but then I finally landed at Tori Richard! I worked there for 6 years and left to pursue personal training after COVID, but ended up coming back to the aloha shirt design world at Reyn Spooner! Quite a meandering journey, but I am glad it has led to my work being valuable to Hawaii local culture through fashion :)
Can you briefly describe your creative process when designing a print?
Usually for my creative process, I like to doodle/sketch a few motifs first. Then I put those doodles in photoshop (if they aren't already digitally sketched) and build the layout off of the doodles. Once I have a layout planned, then I look up references from online and in books that I have on hand for the motifs like flowers, sea life, waves, different styles of artworks, color palettes, etc. Then once the sketch is ok'd and I have all of my references, I begin to color/paint! At home it's usually digitally drawn, but now that I have been coming in to the office, I will be using larger paper to paint/draw the print! Then finally I check the print in repeat to fix any missing motifs and to see if the layout needs to be changed once it's colored.
Is there a particular print or collection you feel especially connected to or proud of, and why?
I think my favorite prints I have done so far are the Pokémon prints! I did the one last year for their World Championships in Anaheim; I also did the ones coming out later this year! I've played Pokémon since its beginning in the 90s, and played almost all of the games (except the most recent one). I was extremely nostalgic and sort of starstruck to be working with Pokémon and was so happy my design was well received!
What does it feel like to see someone wearing your design—or knowing your artwork becomes part of family traditions and collections?
I think it's super awesome to be a part of the ever-growing, cumulative history of aloha shirt prints made in Hawaii. Meeting the older artists here at Reyn Spooner also makes me feel a bit star struck lol like I've been looking at your drawings for inspiration and admiring the design since my dad wore lots of aloha shirts to work! As for seeing a design I did on someone...I really want to tap their shoulder and say "I did your design!!!" but I don't want to weird out strangers and I am very shy...
What has it meant to you to be a woman in the world of design and textile art?
Being a woman in the design and textile art world to me means that I have made it in my field! Though I am not designing products for women, I am happy to be doing art as my work at Reyn Spooner because I get to throw in a lot of the local culture I grew up with into the designs. Sometimes that means it's part of the culture here that typically involve women more than men: elementary school hula, ikebana classes, lei making, etc...but tbh I was a tomboy when I was a kid so I did all kinds of activities, gendered or not! I love that women dominate the art/design spaces; I hope others love adding beauty to the world as much as I do!
What advice would you give to women who want to pursue creative careers?
My advice to creative women is this: never stop creating! Whether it be drawing/painting, sculpting, or something crafty like knitting, beading, or resin, or even beauty related like make up or nail designs, creating just for yourself or creating for just the sake of making something is the best kind of self care. Your knowledge of art and design is built up on all of the experience you have and it helps to have a wide breadth when designing for a career; never stop exploring with your art!
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