Blush and Gold x Silvia Rossana

We are so lucky to have the chance to work with such talented illustrators and Silvia holds a very special place in our heart as she was the very first illustrator we ever collaborated with. Three design collaborations later, we still love her playful and cute illustrations! 

So now sit back, relax and get to know a little bit more about her work...

Tell me a little bit about yourself  and your business, when did your passion for illustration start and how did it develop into a career?

My passion for drawing and creating in general started very early, since I was a kid. I was a quite introvert kid and an only child, so I had to find ways to entertain myself. I really enjoyed spending some quite time drawing and colouring. I used to spend countless hours after school doing any kind of crafts and watching “Art Attack” on tv.

For many years I’ve kept drawing as an hobby, because at the time I thought I couldn’t make a living as an illustrator, so I took a degree in Economics but soon after I realised that it wasn’t the right path for me. After a few years working as graphic designer for a company based in Milan, I took all the courage I had and made the jump to freelance life.

How would you describe your signature style?

I would describe it as playful, whimsical, dreamy and fun!

What is the most fun part of your job?

I think the most fun part is looking for ideas and experimenting with sketches and colours. I particularly like choosing the color palette for my works: I find it so fascinating and - in a way - relaxing, it’s a process that really calms me down.

Where did you get inspiration for your Tutti Frutti illustration?

There’s a very fun story behind Tutti Frutti. I originally created the pattern for my daughter’s 1st birthday and printed it on fabric to make a custom dress for her, as I wanted her to have a keepsake for when she’s older. I shared it on social media and lots of people liked it (including you!), so I decided to tweak it a bit by adding lots of cute fruits and here we are!

What does a typical day look like for you?

My typical day begins by preparing breakfast and then taking my daughter to daycare. Then I go home, where I have a studio, and start working on whatever project I have ongoing, for clients or personal. I then take a lunch break and then go picking up my daughter, by bike if the weather allows it. I then get back at my desk until 5 pm, I get my dog Ginger out for a walk and reunite with the family for dinner. After dinner, when everyone’s asleep, if I still have energy I take some time for myself to dedicate to some of my favorite hobbies (knitting, embroidering, painting) while watching a video or film. 

Do you have a self-care ritual?

As I mentioned my kind of self-care is to create something not related to work: I’m currently in the process of learning punch needle, which is something I've wanted to do for years. I really need that time to unwind and focus on something else to feel inspired and recharged.

What’s your favourite book or film?

That’s a tough question! I feel like they’re constantly changing but one the films I enjoy watching again and again is Grand Budapest Hotel. 

What projects are you working on at the moment?

I’m currently in the phase of updating my portfolio website, which I’m not very good at so it’s taking me ages. I’m also working on a portfolio of ready made illustrations and patterns available for licensing, since it's a field I would like to experiment more with.