Simplistic Beauty Through Floral Patterns

My journey as a surface pattern designer is deeply connected to my childhood, where a love for nature and family traditions shaped my artistic path. The women in my life—my mother, grandmother, and aunts—instilled in me a deep appreciation for flowers and gardening.

One of my fondest memories is planting geraniums around our family farmhouse’s veranda each summer. In the sweltering Ohio heat, we worked together, knowing that our efforts would bring vibrant color and joy to our home. This tradition taught me the value of hard work and the importance of making our spaces beautiful.

For my family, plants were more than decoration—they carried stories and connections across generations. Boxwood clippings from my grandmother’s walkway traveled with us to new homes, and peonies from Ohio now bloom in gardens across the country, shared with loved ones as living heirlooms.

This generational connection to plants inspired my artistic journey. Through my botanical illustrations, I aim to capture the divine perfection of flowers, honoring their intricate design. My patterns celebrate these floral elements, preserving their elegance in timeless designs that can be enjoyed in the home through textiles, wallpaper, and more.

In a world increasingly shaped by technology and artificial intelligence, I believe art that connects us to nature is more important than ever. Flowers remind us of life’s simple, authentic beauty—grounding us in something real, timeless, and awe-inspiring.

As I continue to find inspiration in my family's gardens, I am deeply grateful for the impact they’ve had on both my work and identity. My hope is that my designs reflect this love of God’s simple gifts, inspiring the same sense of wonder and appreciation that first took root in me as a child.

Symbolic Wild Rags

In Western fashion, the wild rag is more than just a practical accessory—it carries history, culture, and personal style. While these scarves serve useful purposes, their patterns add depth and meaning, reflecting the landscapes and traditions of the West.

As a history major in college, I’ve always been drawn to the stories behind traditions, and that passion naturally finds its way into my work. I love blending historical significance into my designs, which is probably why I’m so drawn to Americana and Western heritage. Wild rags, in particular, are rich with tradition, worn by cowboys and ranchers for generations as both a functional tool and a personal statement.

Many wild rag designs draw inspiration from the world around us—whether influenced by Native American artistry, frontier life, or the raw beauty of nature. Living in Wyoming, I’ve seen firsthand the resilience it takes to endure the rugged landscape (even with today’s modern conveniences). It’s harsh, often unforgiving, and I have immense respect for the early settlers who braved the journey to build a life in this untamed country. Even today, Wyoming’s way of life is rooted in hard work, perseverance, and a deep appreciation for the land and livestock.

2023 Cold Cactus Boutique featuring Emma Brereton Design LLC

“Saloon Stories” in Red. Emma Brereton Design LLC.

“Ladies in Chaps”, c.1920.

Cowboys and ranchers have worn wild rags for generations, and their significance runs deep. As cowboy and author Buck Brannaman once said, "A wild rag is more than just something to keep the dust off—it’s part of who you are out here." These scarves are more than just accessories; they’re a staple of Western life, offering both function and identity.

Floral motifs like sagebrush, prickly pear cactus, and mountain wildflowers have been a staple in Western design for generations. In Wyoming’s dry climate, wildflowers feel even more special, and one of my favorites, "Cowboy’s Delight,"brings a bright, delicate contrast to the rugged landscape—and to my work! Incorporating these flowers into my wild rag patterns allows me to add a feminine touch while seamlessly blending the grit of hard work with the beauty of cowgirl femininity.

Beyond aesthetics, patterns in wild rags serve as a form of self-expression. Whether someone chooses bold geometric prints or soft floral designs, their scarf becomes a reflection of their personality and style. But wild rags aren’t just about looks—they’re incredibly practical. They protect your neck from the sun in summer, keep you warm on crisp spring mornings, and provide an extra layer of insulation during late-season hunts.

So next time you reach for a wild rag, take a moment to appreciate its design. It’s more than just an accessory—it’s a link to the past, a statement of individuality, and a tradition that has been carried on for generations.

Patterns in Politics

In 2018 my friend and design mentor at the time introduced me to surface pattern design. She had a robust and flourishing business with her illustration and hand drawn patterns that she printed through Spoonflower Inc., a local NC company. Her offerings can be found here. While intimidated and pretty certain I had nothing to offer the pattern design community, I reluctantly took her up on the offer to teach me pattern-maker in .ai and I entered into my first competition on Spoonflower’s site shortly thereafter.

At that time, if you would have told me that patterns would be a foundational aspect of my design career, I’d likely have laughed in your face.

While my submission (above) to the Spoonflower competition didn’t win any awards, the experience itself was awesome, and I was hooked. What’s not to like about painting whimsical things that you love and having others purchase them online? It was from there that surface pattern design became a totally fulfilling side hobby for me; it blended my love of painting with the innate “wow” factor of seeing your work repeated an infinite number of times. Printing these patterns on physical items such as wallpaper and fabric was truly the cherry on top of an already robust passion project that had no other purpose except that it truly excited me. As it turns out, that was the reason I was hired at the RNC.

Fast forward a few months, and I’m working at a small desk in the basement of a building on Capitol Hill with a long list of projects in my queue with hot deadlines. Something no one tells you about being a designer in a fast paced environment: the flow of creativity is truly key to your success. In these moments, I surprisingly found myself falling back on my pattern-making ability and integrating it into my finished product. Not only did this allow me to hit tight deadlines, but also create content that was unusual in the market.

From custom painted “MAGA” hats in a Father’s Day pattern, or a low opacity background on a GOTV ad to elevate the finished product, my patterns became sprinkled throughout the RNC’s social channels and creative. For political requests, I even found myself hand-drawing state specific monuments or “isms” to better drive consumer’s interaction with the creative. Not only personally fulfilling, my patterns were performing well and our clients liked them too.

Three years later, I’ve had the opportunity to stress the importance of learning custom pattern work to all of our designers through presentations and feedback. Patterns can add remarkable depth to a piece of creative, quickly moving something stagnant to multidimensional. It takes an eye to strike the balance between busy and finished, but through patterns, this skill in itself can be better honed. As the office “pattern queen,” I have passed on this knowledge in the same way I learned it; hands-on and driven by the simple joy pattern-making brings. The incredible team of designers I’ve worked with at the RNC now understand the value of patterns.

From a passion project to my saving grace, and ultimately the best skill I’ve ever learned - surface pattern design is still my secret weapon. I just completed a hand-drawn DC pattern featured on the RNC’s merchandise page. It soon will be accessed here.