As part of Blackwell’s milestone year, celebrating 125 years of the house and 25 years of being open to the public, we’re taking the opportunity to spotlight artists whose work connects with the spirit of the house.
Artist and textile designer Tiana McInerney has long found inspiration at Blackwell, from the stained-glass windows to its decorative handcrafted details. With her Blackwell-inspired prints now available in the Craft shop, we caught up with Tiana to talk about her creative journey, the ideas behind her work, and the details of the house that captured her imagination.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you first found your way into illustration?
I’m Tiana, an artist and textile designer based in the Lake District. I have always had a passion for illustration and throughout school I knew I wanted to pursue a creative career but was unsure which direction to take. While on a foundation course in Art & Design at Kendal College, I started to create prints and patterns with my illustrations. This led me to study Textile Design at the University of Leeds, where I specialised in print design. I now work as a textile designer in Lancaster and continue to illustrate in my spare time.
What inspires your artistic style, and how has it evolved over the years?
I mainly gather my inspiration from the natural environment I am lucky enough to be surrounded by. Being outdoors plays a big role in my creative process, and I often take photographs while out on walks, which I later use as reference images for my illustrations. Over time I have gathered ideas from travel, as I love to experience new places and perspectives. However, I always find myself returning to the Lake District for inspiration, as it is a very special place to me.
What does your creative process look like – from first spark to finished piece?
I begin my creative process by developing a mood board to explore and refine my ideas. From there, I sketch several initial designs, experimenting with different compositions until I feel confident in a direction. I also take time to visualise how each idea will translate onto the final product or design. After selecting a colour palette and choosing a medium, I bring the design to life through painting, which is my favourite stage of the process.
Are there any tools, materials, or techniques you consider essential to your work?
I mainly work with gouache and watercolour paints, often using both mediums across a design. I like how watercolour creates tonal variation across the artwork and how gouache can then be used to add depth and highlights on top. Fine paint brushes are also an essential part of my practice, as they allow me to build up delicate details.
Do you have any creative rituals or routines that help you get into the flow?
When I’m mixing my paints I’ll often use a scrap piece of paper to do some loose mark making until I feel happy with my technique and colours. While painting I make sure to keep stepping away for short breaks, so I can look at the piece with fresh eyes. This helps me to spot anything that needs adjusting and stops me from overworking my designs.
How did the collaboration with Blackwell Arts & Crafts House come about?
The Lakeland Arts team have always been very supportive of my creative practice, which has meant a lot to me. I used to visit Blackwell for inspiration when I was in school and I have photos of the house in some of my old GCSE and A-level sketchbooks. During my foundation course at Kendal College, I was lucky enough to receive the Romney Arts Prize for my final piece, which led to my work being exhibited at Abbot Hall. After university, I spent a few months working as part of the visitor experience team at Blackwell before starting my current role as a textile designer. I was so pleased when I received an email to ask if I’d be interested in creating designs for the shop, as it felt like a full-circle moment.
Tiana’s illustrations reflect her lasting connection to Blackwell as a place that has inspired her from her early sketchbooks to her work today.
Visitors can discover her Blackwell-inspired prints in the Craft shop and in our online shop, continuing the house’s long tradition of inspiring makers and creativity.
