A getting-to-know-you Q&A with Corinne Haig.

Ask the Artist

Corinne is an art licensing veteran who delights in creating art that makes people happy.

Do you have any career influences?

I spent ten years working at Punch Studio. It was a fantastic way to combine my graphic design and art background and gain valuable industry insights.

What is your favorite thing to paint?

Flowers. Their enchanting beauty and color provide endless inspiration. Floral art supports my goal as an artist of uplifting the viewer and bringing joy and beauty to their day.

What is your favorite tree? 

Palm Trees are the best. They’re everywhere here in Southern California. They make me so happy. I photograph them, I paint them; I’m obsessed with them. To me, they epitomize happy endless vacations.

Do you have a preferred time of day?

The morning is so magical for me. It’s usually bright and sunny, and I can hear the birds singing. My puppy, Tuxedo, is excited too. I start the day with a prayer. I make French press coffee and watch birds gather around my bird feeders. It’s another great day to be alive, full of possibilities and challenges, and I’m ready to dive in.

Do you play any sports?

Snow skiing will always be my favorite sport, but I recently discovered pickleball. It’s a fun workout and very social. It’s a great way to meet people too.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Chocolate. The darker and richer, the better.

See Corinne’s Profile >

A getting-to-know-you Q&A with Katherine Herrell, our most recent addition to our roster of stellar talent at Wain’s World!

Ask the Artist

Katherine loves creating folky florals, designs inspired by the simplicity of Scandinavian design and colors of Mexican folk art.

Do you have a favorite design project?

Most recently, I designed a series of children’s prints for the clothing company Seven Lantern Lane. I love the playfulness and humor in children’s designs, and I never tire of seeing my art on the finished product.

Do you have any hidden talents?

I worked as a bartender all through college. Years later, I still know all the drink recipes by heart and can make anything under the sun!

What is your favorite animal?

I’m obsessed with pugs because their squishy wrinkled faces and curly tails are adorable.

What is your favorite time of day?

10:00 AM. It’s my peak creative time.

Do you have a favorite book?

I’m an avid reader and get much art inspiration from reading, so it is a tough pick. My favorite book from the past year is The House in the Cerulean Sea, and The Little Prince is my childhood go-to.

See Katherine’s Profile >

Wain’s World is thrilled to announce that Gigi and Ojiji, by Melissa Iwai, is a recipient of the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Award for 2023!!

The Geisel Award is given to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished American book for beginning readers published in English in the United States during the preceding year. Award winners are recognized for their literary and artistic achievements that demonstrate creativity and imagination to engage children in reading.

We are proud to note that Gigi and Ojiji is included on The Chicago Public Library, The New York Public Library, and Kirkus Review 2022 Best Book Lists!

Gigi and Ojiji is the first book of four in the I Can Read series published by Harper Collins. It chronicles a six-year-old Japanese-American girl and her relationship with her Japanese grandfather, Ojiji. Together they learn about each other’s cultures. 

A Starred Review from School Library Journal:

“Gigi crafts her Japanese American identity in this enchanting early reader. The cuteness, inclusivity, and cross-cultural problem-solving represented will have young readers coming back again and again. A must-buy.” 

The second book in this series, Gigi and OJiji: What’s In A Name, was named a Junior Library Book Gold Standard Book.

To view the video on YouTube, click here.

A getting-to-know-you Q&A with Claudia Bianchi, the latest addition to our roster of stellar talent at Wain’s World!  

Ask the Artist

A creative, client-centric licensing pro, Claudia is known for her signature watercolor florals and whimsical design.

What made you an artist?

I think being dyslexic has a lot to do with my dedication to art. Art has always made me feel grounded. It was something that brought me joy when everything else was challenging. 

After all these years, where do you find inspiration? How do you keep your art fresh?

As a young artist, I trained myself to observe EVERYTHING around me; sometimes, it is the smallest thing that becomes the source of inspiration: the melody of a song, the pattern on a vintage blouse, the ruffle on a shirt.   Mostly, I am inspired by the organic quality of nature and her colors.

How does your yoga practice influence your work?

I do yoga at a studio six times a week.  I practice Ashtanga for aerobic fitness, Hatha for flow, and Yin for stretching. Along with keeping me focused and strong, yoga helps me be a better artist and person.

Professional Mentor: Is there one person who stands out as an influence?

Norman Glassberg, tag’s founder, was my design dad. I worked with a wonderful and supportive team for eighteen years. Eight as creative director. The experience was incredible providing a well-rounded design education.  

How vegetable gardening impacted my son’s eating habits

What began as a means to teach my son an appreciation for where food comes from has become creative therapy for my family. Through the ritual of gardening, we discovered the joy of growing vegetables. Each year, we plant seeds, nurture the crops, and watch them grow. The final act is picking and cooking the produce. He eats everything and I find peace and solace in the process. 

What is your guilty pleasure?

French fries

See Claudia’s Profile >

Each year, Wain’s World gives back to the creative community in honor of our valued business partners. In 2022, Wain’s World selected Child Crisis Arizona as the recipient of our annual holiday charitable gift.

Since 1977, Child Crisis Arizona provides hundreds of children and teens in the foster care system brighter futures by providing safety, security and a chance to heal.  Art programming at CCA plays an important therapeutic component helping children heal and process trauma and grief.

Child Crisis Arizona’s mission has personal significance to me and Wain’s World.  As a young child, my father was placed into foster care where he bounced from family to family for 7 years. The vision of a social worker ultimately led to his fortunate adoption by a loving family.  In honor of the man & family who taught me the business principles upon which this agency is founded and operates, Wain’s World is committing to help expand CCA’s art programming.

Click here to learn more about Child Crisis Arizona and their impressive work.

All artist and agency royalty receipts from our Vive la Femme Calendar have been donated directly to No Means No Worldwide, an international non-governmental organization whose mission is to end sexual and gender-based violence against women and children globally. 

Click here to learn more about their truly important work.

A getting-to-know-you Q&A with Juliet Meeks, the latest addition to our roster of stellar talent at Wain’s World!  

Ask the Artist

Juliet founded her art and surface design studio in 2015. Flowers are her subject of choice, using them as a mode for exploring unique color palettes.

What is your design process?

While I paint very intuitively, I like to reference vintage flower books as a starting point. I prefer to capture the feeling of a flower rather than painting in a detailed or hyper-realistic way.  When choosing colors, I don’t have a set plan before I start, rather I let the process unfold organically.  There is a certain level of control that you must give up with watercolor and giving in to that can create beautiful results.

Do you have a dream assignment? 

As an English major and former editorial layout designer for a local newspaper, I would love to design a book cover one day. I’d also love to see my artwork on planners, luggage, and quirky objects like umbrellas, socks, or lampshades.

Who inspires you?

Vera Neumann, Helen Frankenthaler, and Sonia Delaunay are three of the painters and designers I greatly admire. 

What is your bucket list trip and why?

Paris is on my list to visit next. I’ve never been to France, and it seems like a beautiful, inspiring, romantic, and creative place. 

What is your favorite thing to draw? 

Flowers, flowers, flowers!

See Juliet’s Profile >

A getting-to-know-you Q&A with Deborah Velasquez, the latest addition to our roster of stellar talent at Wain’s World!  

Ask the Artist

Deborah’s vibrant work is inspired by flora, plants, stems, and the magic found in forests, along with her love of gouache, watercolor, and printmaking. 

Do you have a ritual for creating art?

I never paint without wearing jewelry, it makes me feel dressed, powerful, and ready to create. 

Do you have a favorite tool to make art with?

I purchased vintage brushes and calligraphy pens on Etsy from the estate of an 80-year-old artist. I love feeling a connection to history when I draw with them.

Who inspires you? 

American illustrator and children’s book author Virginia Lee Burton. She created Mike Mulligan and the Steam Shovel and won the Caldecott Medal for The Little House.

Do you have a hidden talent?

I am a Master Gardener (from University of Connecticut). I love gardening!

What is your favorite book?

I love I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou.

What would you bring to a desert island? 

Electricity so I could listen to Nina Simone’s music.

What is your mantra? 

I have two mantras. I always tell people to take a chance and live life without regret – words my mother also lived by. And share your knowledge, mentor others.

See Deborah’s Profile >

A getting-to-know-you Q&A with Beth Schneider, the latest addition to our roster of stellar talent at Wain’s World!  

Ask the Artist

Beth creates her signature collections of patterns by combining stunning florals with unique, hand painted coordinates, all in a modern color palette. 

What is your design process?

I gather inspiration from photos, nature and magazines and then sketch out a rough composition. My warmup includes making strokes with different brushes before starting the actual piece. After I paint, I scan the work into my computer, edit, and then digitally create a repeat pattern or art piece, depending on the application. 

What project are you most proud of?

Honestly, all my projects make me happy. I love seeing my art come to fruition on actual products. To date though, I’d probably say my festive favorite is the holiday nutcracker bedding collection I created for Garnet Hill. 

What is your favorite tree?

I have a bald cypress tree in my backyard. It’s tall and beautiful and the type of evergreen tree that loses its needles every year. I love it.

What makes your heart sing? 

Music, sunshine, and a good mood.

What is your bucket list trip and why?

Venice, Italy – I’ve always wanted to ride a gondola through the town, eat pizza, and drink wine! 

What is your Chinese New Year animal? 

The Snake. Sounds unusual; but people born in the Year of the Snake are intelligent, wise, and charming. They are also deep thinkers, like to plan well, and are determined in whatever they do. Snake people are quiet, reserved, and good at giving advice to others.  It’s spot on with my personality so I’m embracing it! 

See Beth’s Profile >

We are super excited to announce the Thimblepress® for Blue Sky Collection at Staples®.

This collection was intentionally created to be colorful and bright. Dated planners and calendars that fit many different types of personalities, from classic stripes to florals to terrazzo and abstract patterns – Thimblepress®  covers the gamut on style.

After a year without any plans in 2020, we are thrilled to usher in all this color and fun to organize everyone’s routine!

A getting-to-know-you Q&A with Amy Hall, the latest addition to our roster of stellar talent at Wain’s World!  

Ask the Artist

Amy Hall began her creative career in New York City as a textile designer. Amy’s current focus: landscape and floral painting.

What inspires you?

I find inspiration all around me. Hiking with my family, watching my husband fish with our children or working in my rose garden always brings a flurry of ideas. Each piece is different. I find joy through creating art and playing with the pigment. Every time I start a painting, I never know how it will end and my art constantly evolves.

Why did you decide to license your fine art now?

During this crazy COVID time period, my family and I spent a lot of time doing creative projects. The art seemed to flow and more people were reaching out to me to create work for their homes. This feels like the right time to share what brings me joy with others.

Why join Wain’s World?

From my first conversation with Liz, I felt an instant connection. Her energy and passion sparked a new creative energy in me.  That type of vibe doesn’t happen often and it felt like a perfect fit. I knew Wain’s World was the right place for me. 

Do you have a first creative memory?

I can’t remember a time where I haven’t painted or sketched ideas. My first creative memory is drawing Cinderella with crayon on the back of my bedroom door. I would color on everything, it didn’t matter if it was a wall, a door or the floor.

See Amy’s Profile >

Each year, Wain’s World gives back to the creative community in honor of our valued business partners. In 2020, Wain’s World selected Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA) as the recipient of our annual holiday charitable gift.

Since 2007, YOLA has provided young musicians with instruments, intensive music education, academic support, and leadership training. Click here to learn more about YOLA and their impressive work to support young musicians in Los Angeles.

Congratulations to Kristin and Bill on their marriage—and cheers to young William Allen. The couple first met as Mississippi State students in 2003. They remained friends through the years and reconnected in 2019. The romantic wedding took place in Jackson on November 21, 2020. We couldn’t be happier for you.

The Paper Curator™  and Cecily Moore named “10 Designers to Watch in 2020”. 
Click here to view the article. 

To learn more about The Paper Curator, click here.