Tell us about yourself.

When I was young, I’d bring my sketchbook everywhere. I drew from my imagination, from movies, and from my surroundings. I grew up in a rural part of Virginia, where my parents still live, and was used to the silence and magic of growing things.

Since 2014, I’ve worked as a full-time artist based out of Charlottesville, Virginia. I work out of my home studio; my two studio buddies have four legs each and some very distinguished whiskers. Anything green brings me a lot of joy and fulfillment, so I have a lot of plants to bring the outdoors in.

What inspires you?

I live close to the river, which gives me daily access to ferns, mushrooms, river rocks, and native wildlife like the kind shown in my Hallowed Forest collection. I’ve also always loved old fairy tales and myths; I’m drawn to anything witchy or magical.

When I’m designing a collection, I try to paint a lot of elements that can exist by themselves, but can also come together to tell a story or create an environment. I love putting the puzzle pieces together - it’s always a challenge, and I love a challenge!

Tell us about your fabric.

My Hallowed Forest collection was and still is one of my favorite collections. I wanted to create something dark and beautiful; I wanted to take the viewers on a night time walk that was fascinating and mystical versus spooky or scary. Plus, I got to paint some really cute Practical Magic-esque shoes, which I love!

Photo: Suite Times Quilt Featuring Hallowed Forest

I would love to see this fabric used in a quilt - quilt making is such an art! I've seen some of my past collections used in quilts, and I'm always amazed by the creativity!

What advice do you have for the new maker?

My biggest advice is to keep creating. Over and over and over again. I look at things I did eight years ago and love seeing the progress I’ve made. It’s so easy to be dissuaded from actually making the thing you’ve imagined - I relate and struggle with this all the time! Especially because social media is really only interested in the final product, rarely the whole process. Creating isn't always about "the doing" - it's also about the thinking. It takes time, it takes problem solving, it takes energy - and it requires reflection!

Connect with Grace Popp:

Instagram: @gracepopp
Website: www.gracepoppart.com