We collaborated with Australian botanical illustrator and textile designer Edith Rewa on a range of products for Christmas. Here’s the story about how she came to find her calling in botanical art, and her mantra for creativity.

Tell us about your journey to becoming an artist - did you always know it was what you wanted to do?

Ever since I was a little girl, I always knew I wanted to do something creative, something that was hands-on and tactile, which was why I studied textile design at university and majored in screen printing. I’ve always loved creating my own illustrations and paired with my fondness for plants, this led me to start creating my own plant inspired printed artworks onto cloth.

How would you describe your style?

I would describe my style as ‘contemporary botanical’. I believe that more traditional botanical artwork can be at times quite inaccessible and contained, so I hope with my art to bridge the gap between that world and a more contemporary design space. Bringing with me enthusiasm and love of plants to an audience who would not be otherwise as engaged with our native flora.

What do you hope people take away from your work?

Upon viewing and experiencing my art, I want people to feel really connected with nature, to feel a renewed sense of wonder and awe and desire to engage with and look after it. To remind them, to take a moment and connect with the natural world.

What’s your mantra when it comes to creativity?

It is really important to me that when I am creating a piece of work that I am fully invested in it and my heart is in the project. This makes the creative more than just a thinking state, transcending into something that feels more natural.

Do you have a favourite artist?

I don’t have one single favourite artist, but there are plenty of classic artworks that have stayed with me over time. Visiting galleries keeps me inspired. I have so much respect and joy for the creations of Australia’s First Artists, Iluwanti Ken, Mavis Ngallametta and Emily Kame Kngwarreye. And other female creators - Margaret Stones, Marianne North, Linda Jackson, Jenny Kee, Laura Jones, Laura McMahon (Brainfoetus) and Claire Mcardle. And some John’s too - John Wolsely, John Olsen and my Grandpa, John Nathan!

What inspired the artwork you created for our Christmas packaging this year?

Collaborating with Archie Rose to create their 2022 Christmas packaging was a really fun project for me! I was given a list of the botanicals that Archie Rose uses in their spirits and I had a look through those, doing research into gin making and what native Australian botanicals I wanted to feature. I wanted to create this sense of the botanicals floating through and interweaving in the liquid, enabling drinkers to visually connect with the botanicals in their Archie Rose spirit of choice.

You can follow along Edith on her journey at her website and on the Instagram handle @edithrewa

Images courtesy of Cieran Murphy Photography.