Designer Spotlight: Emma Schonenberg
One of the best parts of starting this blog for you is the things we learn during the process. One example, the art of fabric design is truly global. So far, we’ve featured designers from Australia and the United Kingdom. Now, our latest designer spotlight shines on trailblazer Emma Schonenberg, from El Salvador. In fact, Schonenberg is the first and only designer from that country to export and sell her creations abroad. How awesome is that?!
Schonenberg spent some time working for companies in advertising, apparel, home decor and USAid funded programs in El Salvador and in Iraq. About 15 years ago, she discovered surface pattern design by chance through scrapbooking. “I started out designing collections for this industry not really knowing what I was doing, just dreaming I’d get a paper company that would purchase my work,” Schonenberg said.
After showing her designs off at trade shows, doors began to open in the textile industry. And the rest, as they say, is history. “Taking these chances led me to this amazing world I love so much! So this experience with Michael Miller was a lovely, lovely treat!” Schonenberg told us.
That experience with Michael Miller includes the “Be Kind to Everything that Grows” panel you can see here. One look at that pattern and it’s easy to see where Schonenberg draws inspiration from. “I find inspiration everywhere. I can find it in even things like an aged tarp covering wood at my sister & brother in law's home. But nature mainly. She is my generous muse! I get lost in all it offers! When we look closely, oh my God! Speechless!” said Schonenberg.
A quick browse of Schonenberg’s work proves her point. Nature plays a major role in her designs, and has helped lead to even more opportunities for her. She explains when asked what her favorite design is. “My soul gardens, as I fondly call them. Drawing these have helped me stay grounded, let go of perfectionism and really start loving all my lines. The feeling I get when I am working on them truly fills my heart. My love for them is so much that it took me to get a masters in Art Therapy and am a few months away from launching a Therapeutic Art program for anxiety relief. Soul Gardens hold that special place in my heart. Michael Miller picked up on them and did a full collection with them.”
As for aspiring designers, Schonenberg offered this priceless piece of advice. “People buy art, yes, but they also buy that feeling found in our art. Our voice contains our soul and it comes through our art. Finally, don’t be shy. The world needs you and your art. Clients love to get to know you and besides, you have so much to win!”
Certainly words to live by. Thank you to Emma for taking some time out of her busy day to answer our questions.
And as always, Happy Quilting!
