Meet Irene
I’m Irene Parker, an artist and designer living in Bokeelia on Pine Island, Florida, where inspiration is never very far away.
My work is inspired by many of the things I love—nature, tropical living, photography, vintage style, beautiful color, a little humor, and sometimes simply an idea that makes me smile.
I create using a combination of traditional and digital techniques. A design might begin as a hand-drawn sketch, an original photograph, or an idea created digitally using Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and Adobe Express. I enjoy combining these different techniques to create artwork and patterns that feel original, colorful and full of personality.
My work has taken many forms over the years—from wall art and photography to book illustration, graphic tees, fabric and surface design, home décor, logos and digital design. Whatever I'm creating, I love the process of taking an idea and turning it into something people can enjoy in their own lives.
How I Create
From an Idea to a Finished Design
Discovery & Inspiration
There isn't just one way I create. Sometimes I begin with my camera, capturing a flower, bird, sunset or interesting moment that catches my eye. Other designs begin the old-fashioned way—with pencil and paper. Or like these two spoonbills you can just barely see their pink feathers.
Design & Digital Craft
From there, I may bring the artwork into Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop to experiment with color, composition, texture and pattern. Adobe Express also gives me another way to explore ideas and bring different elements together.
Bringing My Art to Life
I especially enjoy seeing an original idea evolve into something completely new—a piece of wall art, a repeating fabric pattern, a graphic tee or a design that can become part of someone's home. We have this piece in our Vacation Rental.
Inspired by Pine Island
Living in Bokeelia on Pine Island in Southwest Florida provides an endless source of inspiration. The tropical colors, birds, flowers, water, sunsets and relaxed character of Old Florida have naturally found their way into many of my designs.
Sometimes inspiration is something spectacular. Other times it's something as simple as a seagull standing exactly where the sign says “Don't Feed the Birds.” That's part of what I enjoy about creating— learning to notice the interesting, beautiful and amusing things happening around us every day.
A Few Things I've Created
Creating Things That Make People Smile
