Meet the local artist behind our Aromatherapy Collection - Ruth De Vos
Introducing our Aromatherapy candle collection, designed by local artist Ruth De Vos. We are excited to share these beautiful and unique candles with you, as they are the perfect addition to any home or space.
Ruth De Vos is an artist whose work captures the beauty and complexity of Australian flora. Her textile art is imbued with a sense of wonder and reverence for the natural beauty and vivid features of native trees, bushes, and blossoms of Western Australia. Through her art, she invites us to slow down and appreciate the intricate details and subtle nuances of the natural beauty that surrounds us all.
We asked Ruth 6 questions, here’s what she had to say.
1. Can you please tell us a little bit about your artistic style and how you got started as an artist.
I’m a textile artist and make art by stitching lots of little pieces of fabric together. I love to capture Australian flora. I’ve enjoyed sewing for as long as I can remember and was thrilled to discover in high school that there was such a thing as a ‘quilt artist’!
My art career began at that point, and really kicked off when I became a stay-at-home mum some years later. I’ve always enjoyed the challenge of creating beautiful art in my sewing room/studio, using a limited range of techniques (piecework, stitching, screen printing).
2. What made you inspired to collaborating with Conscious Candle Co on this project?
I’m excited about collaborating with a local business making beautiful products. I was already an eager customer, and they also expressed enthusiasm for my art. Mutual respect is a great foundation for a successful collaboration! I appreciated being able to collaborate face to face. I also loved that the aromatherapy range is largely botanically based. Some of the beautiful Australian flora that I love to capture in my art were featured in the aromatherapy range.
One of the perks of collaborating with a local company, is that I regularly come across the range in shops that support local businesses - and it’s a thrill every time again.
3. How did you balance your own artistic vision with the consideration of designing packaging that would appeal to our audience?
Designing the packaging was a real collaborative effort with the graphic designer. With an understanding of the imagery that Conscious Candle was drawn to, we selected elements from a range of textile and illustration artworks to reinterpret into new digital illustrations. The illustrations needed to translate into cohesive packaging where each different aroma was easily distinguishable from the others, which is where the use of colour was important. For me, contrast is important in illustrations like these, including the contrast of different shapes, such as slender leaves contrasted with round nuts, or frilly delicate flowers contrasted with sturdy leaf shapes.
4. How important is it to you to consider sustainability and environmental impact in your designs?
Drawing attention to the incredible beauty found in our local flora, especially in the finer details is something I’m passionate about in my artwork. I love it when viewers tell me that they’ve learned to really appreciate our local environment through my art.
5. Can you walk us through your creative process for this project, from inspiration to final product?
The Conscious Candle Co team came to view some of my artworks and illustrations in person, giving feedback on the components they liked the most. With that feedback, I created a range of digitally collaged illustrations that incorporate sections of stitched textile artworks, foliage-inspired paper cuttings, and watercolour-and-pencil illustrations. When I had a selection of illustrations ready, I would send them over to the Conscious Candle team to get their thoughts and feedback. We would discuss things like colour choice, and whether to go for the ‘busier’ or ‘calmer’ version of an illustration. It’s often a real balancing act between including favourite elements and making sure the illustration doesn’t get too cluttered!
When we had a suite of illustrations that worked well together (that is, they looked like a cohesive collection, but were also sufficiently distinct from each other, the graphic designer worked her magic on these to produce the stunning packaging.
6. What inspires your art the most?
I obtain my artistic inspiration from God’s creation. I find inspiration to explore new ideas and designs in the way that everything works and fits together in this world – the laws of nature, the interrelationships between animals, and between plants and animals, and the role of man in the natural world. My favourite subject matter includes Australian flora (especially eucalypts) and small children exploring and learning how this world works.
I’m also inspired by the challenge of pushing to their limits my sewing machine and the range of materials and techniques I have available to me.
From swirling patterns to intricate botanical designs, each candle is a work of art that will add a touch of beauty and elegance to your home. The scents have been carefully chosen to promote relaxation, stress relief, and improved mood. From the calming effects of Rosewood Black Pepper Patchouli to the uplifting scent of Lemon, Lemon Myrtle & Lime each candle is designed to lift your mood as you enjoy the natural aromas of pure essential oils. Made with only the highest quality ingredients, they are hand-poured in small batches to ensure that each candle is of the highest quality and consistency. We are proud to offer a product that is both beautiful and sustainable, as our candles are made with eco-friendly materials.
With their aromatherapy benefits, high-quality ingredients, and versatile uses, these candles are the perfect choice for any occasion. So why not light a candle, relax, and enjoy the beauty and benefits of our new collection?
