Image features Edith exploring bushland – photo by Rachel Kara for Broadsheet

Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to begin your label.
I was lucky enough to grow up surrounded by bushland and native garden on a pretty special property in Yendon, Victoria.  It was here that my interest in exploring, collecting and drawing specimens really began.  I studied Textile design at RMIT, with a major in Screenprinting.  There was a small detour in my studies to the Estonian Academy of Arts were I had a more hands on education.

My label began almost accidentally after my studies.  I moved from Melbourne to Sydney and the newness of the place meant I had a lot more free time to explore the abundance of flora and fauna around NSW.  I did much collecting and illustrating specimens in the Blue Mountains and Sydney surrounds and this body of work fell quite naturally into ‘Fossick’ headscarves with a little deadline push from a film friend.

Image features Proteaceae Peach Head Scarf – by Edith Rewa – Illustrated, printed and made in Sydney

Image features Proteaceae Peach Head Scarf – by Edith Rewa – Illustrated, printed and made in Sydney

Who inspires you and your creative process? 
A huge point of inspiration for me has been the intrepid paintings and etchings commissioned by explorers and naturalists such as Sir Joseph Banks way back in the day.  I have always been drawn to cabinets of curiosities and the more scientific side of botanical illustrations.  The life work and dedication of Margeret Flockton, Marianne North and the vast collections of Albertus Seba.  I like the purpose illustration serves when intertwined with science, and with that often comes the fine detail needed for identification.  I am constantly inspired by the landscape I am in and the natural flora and fauna it has to share, as well as the bustle and energy of friends and people in my day to day life.

Image features Edith illustrating

Image features Edith’s Studio space

Tell us something exciting that you have planned for Edith Rewa for the next 12 months.
I am very excited to be moving to Blackheath in the Blue Mountains at the end of this month, with the bush at my fingertips for drawing and a big, sunny house ready for some 2016 projects.

Name one resource that your label could not live without.
A Black Copic Multiliner!

Image features ‘King Protea and all his friends’ Head Scarf – by Edith Rewa – illustrated, printed and made in Sydney

Image features ‘King Protea and all his friends’ Head Scarf – by Edith Rewa –  illustrated, printed and made in Sydney

Tell us about your favourite product from your collection.
My Favourite product from this collection is the headscarf called ‘King Protea and all his Friends’.  It is a little museum of my favourite little bits (Bones and Banksias, rocks and gnarled seed pods to name a few) that I have collected over the year hanging out in spotted scape with a magnificent King Protea.  I like to think that the protea is on a shrine of sorts, surrounded by all his friends.

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Image features Family Proteaceae (black) Head Scarf – by Edith Rewa illustrated, printed and made in Sydney

Image features Family Proteaceae (black) Head Scarf – by Edith Rewa illustrated, printed and made in Sydney