Drawing on her background in visual arts and graphic design, Liz applies her sharp design eye to create the brand’s popular prints that adorn their own range of tea towels, cushions and other hand-crafted products. Before Everingham + Watson launches their Girt By Sea range at Life Instyle this month, we sit down to chat with Liz Watson about her latest project, passions and source of inspiration.
Where you are from?
Brisbane, Queensland
What you do?
I run a design and manufacturing business with Susie Everingham, Everingham + Watson.
When did you first know you wanted to do something creative?
I went to art college straight after school, but quickly decided that design was my thing.
Your latest project?
Our latest range for Everingham + Watson, Girt By Sea.
Please tell a bit about this, what were the highs and what were the challenges?
Product development is the biggest challenge. For our new body range, we worked alongside scent experts and chemists to achieve the fragrance we were chasing. We had very clear ideas about the memories of beach holidays we wanted to evoke. We got there after several attempts and months of ebbing and flowing, and we are really happy with the outcome.
How did you overcome these?
Wine!
Where you find inspiration?
So many places. I find the visual overload of online content overwhelming, so I’m finding I refer back to books, libraries and stillness more and more now.
Who are three people that inspire/excite you?
The amazing ladies behind Easton Pearson – Pam Easton and Lydia Pearson.
My uncle Dr Don Watson who is an architect and historian. He has an amazing thirst for knowledge and an excellent sense of humour!
Chris McKimmie, my old lecturer at art college, he has written and written and illustrated nine children’s books and they are hysterical! My favourite being Special Kev, its all about red heads.
What is your favourite…
Car/bike/plane/boat model: Mum’s old Citroen DS.
Chair model: Spanish Chair, Børge Mogensen.
Residential space: Anything by Vokes + Peters.
Commercial space: Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA).
Decorative product: Contemporary Australian art, my recent Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda (Mrs Gabori) purchase makes me very happy!
Functional product: Any of our tea towels.
Handmade good: A beautiful piece of Japanese stoneware Susie recently brought back from Japan for me.
Mass-produced good: Our anti bacterial hand wash with lemon myrtle, rosemary, orange peel and wattle seed extract. It smells and feels amazing.
Item in your studio: A big cork board, covered in memories, inspiration and photos of family and friends.
Time of day to work/play: Mornings are my time to shine, and late at night.
Meal: Bacon!
Restaurant: Pearl at Woolloongabba, Brisbane for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Drink: English Breakfast tea.
Bar: The Servery upstairs at Pearl.
Piece of technology: iPhone.
Historical figure: Sunday Reed.
Fictional character: The tree in the Folk of the Faraway Tree.
Vice: Pinot Noir.
Virtue: Ask Susie!
What does the term ‘Design Hunter’ mean to you?
Being inquisitive through travel, learning and experimentation.