Tory Trends: Iridescence and Natural Beauty

🌸 I fell in love with the simple color palette and iridescent fabrics at #ToryBurchSS16. Floating loveliness. Illustration by me, Chris Olson. 🌸 #NYFW

Illustration, FashionChris OlsonSeptember 17, 2015fashion illustration, fashion, New York Fashion Week, Tory BurchComment

NYFW Continues with Sketches from Zac Posen Show

Fashion, IllustrationChris OlsonSeptember 16, 2015nyfw, fashion illustration, New York Fashion WeekComment

Tommy Hilfiger's Eternal Summer: Sketches from NYFW

I'm feeling that eternal summer vibe in September. Yes, I fell in love with almost everything at Tommy Hilfiger's Spring 2016 tropical inspired fashions at New York Fashion Week. Here's my take on Gigi Hadid looking fab in his bikini. (My mixed media fashion sketch above.)

Schedule

Illustration, FashionChris OlsonSeptember 15, 2015nyfw, New York Fashion Week, fashion illustrationComment

A Sneak Peek at a New Floral Print

I can feel the seasons changing here in Colorado. The morning temps are in the 40s, the aspen leaves are turning golden, and a black bear mama and her cubs have been foraging for extra food eating from the bird feeders. Seems like the perfect time to share a warm weather pattern. Here's a sneak peek at a new floral pattern in my Hanalei collection. 🌸 🌴

Florals, New PatternsChris OlsonSeptember 12, 2015floral pattern, new patternsComment

Mixed Media and Combining My Favorite Things

Working on a new mixed media collage with my dog sketches, watercolors and flowers from my backyard.

IllustrationChris OlsonSeptember 9, 2015illustration, mixed media, dogs, floral patternComment

Polar Bears, Roses, and Mixed Media Collages

One of the best parts of my job as an illustrator and designer is I get to meet some very cool people—and animals. Polar bears are my favorite guys at the zoo. My camera and I also get to be up close and personal with lots of amazing flowers—and a few bumblebees.

// Mixed media collage. From the sketchbook. #collage #watercolor #illustration #polarbears //

IllustrationChris OlsonSeptember 2, 2015collage, mixed media, animals, illustrationComment

Keeping It Simple

This outfit all weekend. // Artwork by me, Chris Olson //

Chris OlsonAugust 14, 2015Comment

I Heart You!

Gardens inspire me. Send me to a far away place and one of the first things I visit is a public garden. Recently I went to Portland, Seattle area and Minneapolis. And gardens were my favorite stops along the way. Where do you go to be inspired?

Inspiration, TravelChris OlsonAugust 12, 2015flowers, travel, inspiration Comment

Wanderlust Photo Challenge Over at Pattern Observer

I'm working with Michelle Fifis on a fun "wanderlust" inspired Instagram challenge over at Pattern Observer. The challenge starts today. You can read all about our collaboration at Pattern Observer and over at @PatternObserver on Instagram.

Instagram, CollaborationChris OlsonJuly 27, 2015instagram, Pattern ObserverComment

Art Process: Listening to Prince Albums

This textile pattern started out as a moody bokeh design and then I started listening to Prince albums... It's all about the art process. I'm sharing this work as a member of the surface design community Textile Design Lab over at Pattern Observer. #textiledesignlab @patternobserver

Design by Chris Olson, FashionChris OlsonJuly 25, 2015surface design, textiledesignlabComment

Channeling the Milky Way Today

That beloved icy dot called Pluto is in the news this week thanks to photos from the space probe New Horizons. Seems only fitting to channel milky way imagery in the studio today. Here's a sneak peek at my Luliana textile pattern. And as part of the Textile Design Lab over at Pattern Observer I'm sharing a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process for their 21 Days of Sharing challenge. For details on purchasing this pattern go to my surface design page or go directly to my contact link.

Inspiration, New PatternsChris OlsonJuly 15, 2015new patterns, surface design, surface pattern designComment

New Tropical Prints

I love the bare shoulder trend. I've paired it with new tropical-inspired prints from my pattern collection.

Pattern Bliss