When we first moved to Cape Breton, we found ourselves in the most magical spot. The apartment we rented was right on the waterfront in North Gut, St. Ann’s Bay. We couldn’t have been luckier – the place, the people (who are now dear friends and our Cape Breton Ersatz family), and the view. All of it shaped how I see this landscape and, in turn, how I design.
I loved heading down to the shore, no matter the season or weather. And funny enough, it was often the grey, overcast days that sparked the most inspiration. When the sky was heavy and the light diffused, the world seemed to quiet down. Colours and details I might have overlooked on a bright day suddenly came into focus – the golden glow of seaweed, the rusty streaks in the sand, the dark blue of the mussel shells.
Now, while I don’t live right on the shore anymore, it’s still just around the corner. The sea and shoreline continue to shape my work, alongside the woodsy highland views from our new home. I cut the shapes for my Rolling Hills tea towel design while sitting outside, taking in the landscape. It’s impossible not to let the surroundings seep into what I create.
Nature’s Palette: The Colours That Inspire Me
Golden Seaweed
The rich, almost glowing yellow of the seaweed washed up along the shore is impossible to ignore. It’s vibrant but earthy, adding warmth and energy to my designs.
Soft Pink Granite
The warm, soft rose tones in my designs are inspired by the granite rocks you find all over Cape Breton. One of my favourite spots is along the coast north of Ingonish, where the pink hues of the rocks meet the deep blues of the ocean. The contrast is stunning. There’s a wonderful trail in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park called the Coastal Trail. Just walking a few steps in from the Broad Cove end you’ll encounter stunning rock formations. Their colours and textures always leave me inspired.
Shades of Blue from Ocean and Sky
The blues in my tea towels are pulled straight from the Atlantic and the sky above it. From the deep, inky tones of the ocean on a clear day to the lighter, breezier blues of the sky, these shades bring a sense of calm and freshness to the designs. I’ve had a few people recently comment on the vibrancy of the colours, and I love how they capture the ever-changing beauty of the sea.
Lush Greens of the Highlands
The rolling hills and dense forests of Cape Breton are a constant source of inspiration. The greens range from deep, mossy shades to the brighter, sunlit tones of grassy fields. Sitting outside, overlooking the highlands, it’s hard not to let those greens seep into my work. They bring a natural balance to the designs, grounding them in the landscape that surrounds me.
Rusty Reds and Sandy Browns
The red sands and rocks along the coast, especially on those rainy days, bring out a spectrum of warm, rusty tones. Even the reddish-brown hues of lobster shells washed ashore echo these earthy shades. I love pairing them with blues and dark greens – they add such a welcoming, natural warmth.
Why One Colour?
When it comes to printing, I’ve always loved working within limitations. One-colour screen printing isn’t just practical from a production standpoint, it also forces me to think differently. With just one colour, I have to rely on shape, negative space, and composition to bring the design to life. It’s a challenge, but it’s one I enjoy. The simplicity of a bold, single-colour print lets the natural inspiration shine through without distraction.
In the end, my tea towels are more than just functional. They’re little pieces of Cape Breton, capturing the colours and shapes that surround me every day. Whether it’s the pink granite rocks along the coast, the golden seaweed on the shore, or the rolling green hills from my backyard, these designs bring a bit of the seaside (and the highlands) into your home.