Artists in Residence

“Whimsy in Bloom is a celebration of nature, memory, and imagination. Each bag tells a story from my life—like the cardinal and dogwood design inspired by North Carolina, or the swan that nods to the dreamlike tales I loved as a child. I honor my Ukrainian roots with a geometric take on traditional floral folk art. I’ve always been drawn to the surreal and the fantastic, and through these bags, I’m sharing how I see the natural world—vibrant, emotional, and full of wonder.”.

“The Values we Carry was inspired by the origin of Carson Quay, a story of perseverance, peace, prosperity and playfulness. The lemons represent perseverance and making the best of your situation. The olive branches represent peace and the lotus flowers prosperity. The Golden Retrievers inspire playfulness, reminding us not to take life too seriously. Through these bags, I capture the resilience and inspirational story of the Brands founder.”

“Field Notes is a quiet tribute to the natural world and the peace I find in it. Every design is drawn from memories—like walking through the open fields of my family’s property in upstate New York, or sketching under the trees at Reynolda
Gardens. I painted hummingbirds mid-flight, swirling wind patterns, and vines that grow freely—all small moments of stillness and connection. The pieces are meant to be carried, just like the memories that inspired them.”

“Forces of Light is a tribute to the powerful forces that guide and energize me: The Sun, The Moon, The Earth and, because I love to dance, a Disco Ball. Each represents something I’m grateful for—light, rhythm, connection, and joy. My love for tarot symbolism and pop art came through in this work, and I leaned into bold colors and simple forms to keep the energy playful and expressive. These bags are about celebrating life in motion—and letting art be part of the dance.”