image features kaitlyn illustrating the Flower Crown Portrait – by Incandescent Design
We chat with Kait D’Arcy, the owner and designer at Incandescent Design, as she prepares for her debut at our Brisbane market this weekend.
Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to begin your label.
Incandescent Design is a small prints and portrait based business, created in my home studio in Brisbane, Australia. I have a background in design and a lifetime love of drawing. In 2015 I married my very own Mr D’Arcy and it sparked the idea of taking a talent I used as a side business and transforming it into a dream job. The name “Incandescent” comes from my love of Jane Austen and her quote: “Perfectly and completely and Incandescently happy!” It is what describes my love for my art and my love for the man who has encouraged it.
Image features Australian Cockatoo prints – illustrated by Incandescent Design
Image features Australian Rainbow Lorikeet print – illustrated by Incandescent Design
Image features Australian Emu, Kangaroo and Possum prints– illustrated by Incandescent Design
Who inspires you and your creative process?
My inspiration comes in many forms and is triggered by a range of different things, a photograph, a song, a flower, a beach day, the list is endless. I have found it is very easy to be inspired but find the challenge comes in keeping that initial excitement and spark throughout the creative process. That’s when the true inspiration is revealed and that would be: people. Illustrating a portraits has layers of relationships and emotions within the image, seeing the love shared between a couple as I draw them, or the joy of a beloved pet inspires me like nothing else! It’s rewarding and it’s exhilarating.
Tell us something exciting that you have planned for Incandescent Design this year [or next 12 months].
One of the new projects I’m very exciting about is “Home Portrait”. A client has an opportunity to commemorate a special place to them and have it turned into a timeless artwork. I have made this option available for purchase online this week and have already seen an enthusiastic response from clients who share my excitement and have orders placed for Christmas presents!
Image features People Portrait, Black and White – illustrated by Incandescent Design
Image features House Portrait – illustrated by Incandescent Design
Image features Custom Portrait – illustrated by Incandescent Design
Name one resource that your label could not live without.
The Internet. I sell a large amount of my prints and portraits to international clients. The Internet is how I market and sell my products, without it I wouldn’t have the ability to communicate with clients and promote and distribute my products through mediums such as Instagram, my website, Etsy, etc.
Tell us about your favourite product from your collection.
Without a doubt, Portraits. I love collaborating with clients and creating a product with such meaning and value to them. Words can’t describe the reward I get from seeing the portrait come to life under my pencil and the response from the client when they see it. It makes me perfectly, completely and incandescently happy!
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instagram.com/incandescent.design
Image features Summer Sitting Print – illustrated by Incandescent Design