As long summer days turn to crisp fall evenings, we have embraced the season with a recently launched limited-release flavor: Vanilla Blossom. A warming blend of vanilla bean and mulling spices combines with bursts of cherry, rooibos, and hibiscus to create a smooth yet satisfyingly complex flavor profile.
Vanilla Blossom made its debut on shelves sporting a label that is part of our new 'Artist Series,' featured on Limited Release flavors only. We partnered with local Artist, Brooklyn Seibold (@bsemibold), to create this bold and beautiful botanical illustration.
A fellow local in our home city of Portland, OR, Brooklyn's incredible illustrations caught our eye, and we knew her talent would be a harmonious fit for the Artist Series. We sat down with Brooklyn to chat about inspiration, creativity, and of course, the beautiful Vanilla Blossom labels.
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF!
I’m a creative being originally from California, but I've been lucky to call Oregon my home for about 10 years. I enjoy spending my time creating things inspired by what I see on my journey through life. Most often I’m drawn to flowers and nature, but I find inspiration in whatever makes me happy!
HOW DO YOU PULL YOURSELF OUT OF A CREATIVE RUT?
Creative ruts are inevitable, but it depends on what my goal is. There are times when I draw daily, dedicating myself to the practice of creating and developing my skill. If I'm not particularly inspired, I still create something because that's the purpose of the exercise, and usually the knots work themselves out.
On other days, I believe it's important not to push myself to create if I am sincerely not into it. Creativity comes in waves. I nurture it when it’s here, but don't beat myself up when it wanes. I take these opportunities to explore my other interests (some of which are still creative!) or spend time taking care of myself in other ways, knowing this too shall pass. I show up and do my best, knowing that some days my best will be better than others!
TELL US ABOUT A FAVORITE PIECE OF ART YOU HAVE CREATED.
I’m lucky to have had some awesome opportunities featuring my work, including the Vanilla Blossom label! A favorite would have to be in 2018 when DazeyLA included my "Together is Better" illustration in their summer clothing collection. At the time, I was struggling with anxiety and insomnia. My creative drive was essentially non-existent, but inspiration for the design came straight from my heart. Having my work produced for DazeyLA’s brand and seen by their audience encouraged me to stop limiting myself, my work, and where my creativity can take me!
WHERE DID YOU GATHER INSPIRATION FOR THE ARTWORK ON OUR VANILLA BLOSSOM LABEL?
Gathering inspiration is my favorite part of the creative process! I found inspiration in the very ingredients of the Vanilla Blossom flavor and used my love of bold color and texture to make the floral elements pop. The flavors themselves are delicious, but the plants are gorgeous too.
TAKE US THROUGH THE PROCESS OF CREATING THE LABEL DESIGN.
The process of creating the label was surprisingly quick — it only took about 3 weeks from initial proposal to final delivery. The Brew Dr. team approached me with ideas of imagery based on the flavor profile and sent over a few of my illustrations that resonated with them to reference for style. We collaborated on the overall direction and I got to work on options/versions! There were a few rounds of edits to get the elements layered just right:
We started with a magenta background, but throughout the process we swapped the warmer hue for a lovely deep blue:
Texture and tiny details are two of my favorite tools when creating, but it was tricky to get those elements to play well with text on a small scale! We worked to maintain legibility while staying true to my personal style. In the end we landed on a beautifully balanced label that I believe accurately represents me as an artist and the Brew Dr. brand.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT BEING ONE OF THE FIRST ARTISTS OF THE NEW BREW DR. 'ARTIST SERIES?'
I'm honored to be one of the first artists featured and I look forward to seeing Brew Dr's future collabs! Featuring local artists is an awesome way to support and uplift the creative community, and truthfully it couldn't happen at a better time. I am incredibly proud of this project and grateful for the opportunity to feature my work on a Brew Dr. Kombucha product. The label looks better than I imagined it would —it’s so exciting to see it on the shelves next to the other flavors!
WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED AS AN ARTIST? DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR OTHERS?
“Don’t take yourself too seriously.” As a recovering perfectionist, this one took a long time to sink in, but the freedom that comes from letting go makes space for creative juices to flow. My advice for other artists would be: "Create work that brings you joy. When you create things that make you happy, it shines!"
We hope Brooklyn's joy shines through our beautiful Vanilla Blossom label! To see more incredible pieces by Brooklyn, be sure to check her out on Instagram (@bsemibold), and her website at brooklynseibold.com. Additionally, all proceeds from this store society6.com/brooklynseibold are donated monthly to local BiPoC Organizations. Check it out!
