making it fun: Behind the Scenes with Sarah Campbell!

By now, I'm sure you've heard about our newest licensed designer, Sarah Campbell. Her first collection with Michael Miller is called Melodies.

We want you to get to know her, so, for our next "Behind the Scenes" segment, we've interviewed the one and only, Sarah Campbell!!

Q: Can you please give us a brief intro to who you are and what you do for Michael Miller?

A: I'm a textile designer and painter of patterns and my first range for MMF, "Melodies" has just begun to ship to stores. It's built around a favourite theme of bright birds and leaves with small geometrics and spots.... my second collection is being sent to the mill as we speak and the third is busy hatching...

Q: What's your favorite piece of work that you have created, your favorite project or your favorite part of the work day?

A: I love the early morning, especially when I wake with an idea that just has to be painted down before I do anything else - it happens!

*at home with Sarah...

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Recently, I traveled to Guadalajara to run a course at the HardToFind art school - "adventures in painting patterns". I also work with West Elm on a regular basis so there are always exciting projects to develop for them, and then there's the new collection for MMF to be painted.

*HardToFind Art School - Adventures in Painting Patterns

Q: What are your goals for the future, both work wise and life?

A: My main goal is to stay on the planet making new and interesting work for as long as possible..

Q: What are you doing when you're not creating or at work? What hobbies do you have?

A: I dig my allotment when I can... and cheer on my grandsons at their football matches.

Q: What would people be surprised to learn about you?

A: I have a habit of making terrible puns - and laughing at them!

Q: Do you have any tips or inspiring words for others?

A: For me, faced with a new project or challenge - my first instinctive response is usually a good signpost.

Q: Do you admire any artists?

A: Very very many - in textiles, the designer and painter, Sonia Delaunay, is pretty high on my list, I love the inventiveness of Alexander Calder, the sensuous colour and forms of Matisse, the brilliant wit of Picasso, the dancing lines of Dufy, the poignant portraits of Rembrandt.... I could go on - and on!

Closer to home there are many makers whose work I admire and enjoy - it's a double treat to put beautiful flowers into a jug made by a friend, to sew a pal's hand-made ceramic buttons on my jacket.

There are also all of the 'unknowns' - the designers, makers, embroiderers, weavers, cloth-workers, lace-makers, knitters - that have clothed our world over the centuries.

*two of Sarah's favourite jugs...

Q: What is your favorite...

Color: How could I choose?

Animal: I like making my own creatures!

Season: Maybe the Spring, but they all have their charms.

Movie: So many - but I always love that last line in 'Some Like it Hot' - "So what - nobody's perfect!"

Book: George Eliot's 'Middlemarch'

Vacation spot: Vacation? That's an interesting idea...

Food: a tomato sandwich - made with tomatoes that have been warmed in the sun, fresh bread, butter, salt and a basil leaf - and left to stand for about a half an hour on a pretty plate so the juices permeate.

Q: What else should we know about you and your work?

A: I love new commissions and collaborations - I've been invited to be a part of a human library as part of a new project in London, the Museum of Empathy - I'll be a sort of talking reference book!

And, last year I made a greenwood table from start to finish!