The “Pagan in Me” collection of textiles is a collaboration between Western Sensibility’s Kathryn Sanders and Philomela’s Bonnie Saland. The collection blends Western Sensibility’s digital textile printing expertise with Philomela’s signature artisanal process to create this designer collection of upholstery-grade fabrics. A partnership in ethos, aesthetics, and eco-consciousness, “Pagan in Me” shows the dynamism of nature, imbued with images of snakes, deer, bears, owls, and much more. Find out more about this collection and the creators in this week’s Maker Monday.
“Pagan In Me” celebrates the great goddess in her multiple manifestations. Seen here is the Serpentine pattern in three colorways.
Andrew Joseph: Which room in the house do you find yourself working from most? Why? How does this inform your thoughts about architecture?
Bonnie Saland: If I’m working with psychoanalytic clients, I’ll do it in my den looking at the garden, if the weather is chilly I’ll work in my living room in front of a fire. If on zoom for both therapy clients and design meetings, I favor my bed looking at garden space. My primary motivation is view, with comfort being a close second.I can never understand taking zoom calls from an artificial office set up. Who are we fooling when most of us are still in our pajamas and why sit in a chair when you can recline in bed? I’m also a huge fan of seeing how people live, and my nosy self loves the cluttered backdrops of real life.
Kathryn Sanders: I love working from my living room. It’s the most central room in my house and I can feel the energy and movement all around me. I love nothing more than typing away at my dining table with my cat, Sunny, next to me. Who am I kidding though, this also means Sunny is likely walking all over my laptop and discovering his new favorite toy — my writing utensil. I know from experience how much the interior architecture of your workspace can impact your creativity and I think this is a lesson we’ve continued to learn and value through the pandemic.
The Great Mother in mythology is usually represented by bears, snakes and owls. Western Sensibility and Philomela have also included Aztec-style linoleum cut patches and the Greek God Dionysus to this pattern, titled by its inspiration, “The Great Mother”.
AJ: What is your favorite cocktail?
BS: When last presented with suggested questions I responded with the cocktail hour being my favorite time of day. I guess I’m further extrapolating on the cocktail theme here. I’d like to mention the “penicillin” as my favorite drink of the moment. Now mind you, I love most mixed drinks and am especially partial to anything that flames and comes in a bowl that you lift with two hands. That said, my go-to currently is the “penicillin” on the rocks. I always enjoy the mix of robust scotch and sweet honey, and oh how wonderful to feel like you are taking your medicine while throwing one back. If only all things healing and good for you were such a pleasure to partake in.
KS: This is a difficult one – as I’m equally a tequila, whiskey, and gin enthusiast! I’m always partial to cocktails that are bright, boozy, and botanical (alliteration unintentional!). I can never go wrong with a gin and tonic and lately I’ve been adding fresh mint from my garden. It was my grandfather’s go-to drink and every time I drink a gin and tonic it feels as if I’m drinking with him.
AJ: What are your beauty secrets?
BS: My fundamental beauty secrets are to avoid mirrors and cameras as much as humanly possible. That way, without the ruthless lens of a camera, or social media, I’m happy and sated in my internally driven vision of myself which hardly reflects reality. When this fails, I admonish all photographers to bring on the airbrushing- liberally- a girl’s, (or anyone else’s for that matter) best friend.
KS: For me, I’m driven by how I feel rather than how I look. To feel good I lean into a magic concoction of fresh air, meditation, sleep, and water. I like to let my inner child run wild and I love my gray hairs and emerging wrinkles. That said, I also enjoy lathering my face in Korean skincare products.
This pattern, titled Labyrinth, is a metaphor for the inner pilgrimage. The center of the labyrinth is symbolic of the spiritual journey to one’s best self.
AJ: What are three things you can’t live without?
BS: We are talking “things” here, so I’d have to say my laptop, my phone and my visual journal that I travel with. Expanding from there I’d have to add a knapsack, pair of flip-flops, travel pack of painting supplies and a warm wrap. If I’m wearing underwear and clothes – I’m really good to go for any length of time. I learned this lesson the hard way, on a three-week trip to India that I packed for meticulously, with every hygienic contingency planned for. I never got my bag, and never really needed it.
KS: If we’re looking through the lens of material culture it’s probably all about tools that allow me to connect with my loved ones and explore my passions. I’d say my laptop, phone, and a speaker. Music fuels me – it helps me wake in the morning, charge during the day, and relax at the end of the day. I need to be able to blast Beyonce or Dolly Parton at any given moment.
AJ: Secret Talent?
BS: CHARADES!! I have always had a terrible memory and find it almost impossible to remember anything under pressure – names, passcodes, forget about it. This gets worse with age and can begin to make one concerned about keeping one’s wits. So, imagine how charming it is to easily access random data and long buried factual material with a simple prompt that triggers some capacity to freely associate. A small win, no doubt, but we take what we can get.
KS: I like to think of my hyper-observational skills as my secret talent. I love taking in a scene, understanding the dynamics at play, and observing things that do or do not work. It’s not only my secret talent, it’s my secret weapon that allows me to learn and grow.
Photography by Rio Chantel.
About Western Sensibility | Western Sensibility is a digital textile printing studio specializing in sustainable, life-friendly textiles inspired by the American west. Founded by a third-generation textile printer to operate at the cross-section of art and science, Western Sensibility honors art and process equally. The studio is rooted in the belief that digital textile printing technology fosters ambitious design and it’s their mission to champion the vision of the artist and usher that perspective into your home – without compromise.
About Philomela | Philomela is a California based design studio specializing in original, hand-drawn, painted and printed, expertly formatted textiles and wallpaper for interiors. Led by artist and psychoanalyst Bonnie Saland, her bold, intricate patterns balance delicacy with daring and bring a sense of celebration into every space. The collection mixes antagonistic styles and conventions: baroque + modern, word + image, highbrow + downtown, hand constructed + digitally manipulated in a libertine mix of west coast hedonism.
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