Artist Claire Ritchie Talks Influences, Gardening and Studio Essentials
- Words by Peppermint
If you happen to have come across Claire Ritchie’s joyful, feel-good illustrations, then it will come as no surprise to learn that this creator of the most delightful stationery, textiles and artwork operates out of a light-filled studio in sunny Brisbane. Here, she gives us a glimpse into her creative process and tells us how she came to collaborate with Robert Gordon…
Robert Gordon x Claire Ritchie product images JARROD BARNES Styling HANNAH GORDON, BTS with Claire DIJANA RISTESKA
How did you come to be an artist?
I have always been curious about how things are made and found myself always making or sewing things as a teen. I studied clothing production and textile and fashion design out of school, which led me to explore pattern design and now more painting. So, I would say curiosity and dedication has led me to be an artist.
Tell us about your creative process…
I always start with lots of drawings. I can also spend days dreaming up shapes and colours in my head. I find it helpful to spend time in my garden while I do this. My garden is an extension of my studio. Once I have solid drawings I use the computer to further explore shapes and colours and then transfer these final artworks to whichever surface I might be using.
Where do you find inspiration and what motivates you to create?
I am inspired by the world around me, whether that is people, nature or my own thoughts and feelings. I would say that my motivation is the pure love and joy that I feel when I create. It really feels like I am meditating as it calms my whole body and I feel at peace.
Is there something you can’t live without in your studio?
Probably a hot drink! Tea or coffee to keep me going. I also have a snack stash which I need as I forget to break for lunch sometimes!
Why do you think art is important to society and what could society do to better support artists?
Art has the capacity to connect us to ourselves and each other on a deeper level. I can be vulnerable through my art in a way that feels more natural than if I was to talk directly to someone’s face. If we celebrated artists in the way we celebrate academics and sports people, especially at a primary school level, I think a lot more people would feel seen and understood. How great would it be if we had art every day in school!
I think a particular piece of artwork that you have in your home or space can also be a marker to that time in your life. So for me, I can look at an artwork and it reminds me of where I was in my life and the memories that are connected to that time.
This is your second time working with Robert Gordon, can you tell us about your initial collection in 2023 and how these collaborations came about?
Robert Gordon approached me about collaborating as they were wanting to inject some joy into a collection. I could not be happier that they reached out, as I think it’s a great example of collaboration where both parties show full respect for what they each have to offer. They supported my finite attention to detail when it came to colour selection, and I trusted their choice of shapes and base colours when choosing what piece would work best for their audience. It makes it not seem like work when you have that respect and understanding in each other’s skill and experience.
How do you find working with ceramics as a medium?
I love how my artwork has translated onto the Robert Gordon shapes and textures. They have clean lines and minimalist styles that really make the colours and shapes pop!
Tell us about the inspiration behind this fun and colourful new range…
The four mugs are just meant to be absolutely joyful and uplifting. The designs used are some of my classic patterns and colours. We wanted familiar shapes with the same vibrant colour palette I like to use. What better way to start your day with a cup that can make you feel pure happiness!
Who are your biggest artistic influences?
I would say that I am not directly influenced by someone’s actual work as such, but how they work. I have always admired Bjork’s process. She has a curiosity and evolution of her practice that has seen her create some really interesting and unique music. I love that she is just who she is through her music. That resonates with me.
What’s your favourite work of art (not your own)?
My current favorite piece of art is by Ngarabul and Torres Strait Islander Artist Lauren Rogers – it’s hanging in my studio! It’s one of her banksia beauties. She lives locally to me, so it’s extra special and connects me to this time of my life living on Turrbal land with my beautiful family.
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TOGETHER WE STITCH RETURNS! 🪡✨
Ditch the dishes. Clear your cutting table. Pop the kettle on. Because Together We Stitch is back from 15 to 22 March for seven joy-filled days of sewing, learning and reveling in the joy of shared community, no matter where you are in the world!
Hosted by Megan from @SewAndTell.Co, this global online sewing event brings thousands of makers together for a week of practical know-how, confidence boosts and those “why didn’t I know this sooner?!” moments.
This year’s line-up is packed with masterclasses and practical inspiration, like:
🪡 Simple knit finishing tricks to make your garments look store-bought by @SewAndTell.Co’s Megan Linley
🪡 Troubleshooting your sewing machine by Jenni Miller from @LetsGetSewingNow
🪡 Hands-on pattern adjustments for sway back from @GinaReneeDesigns
🪡 An interview with Brandon Hayden from @HappilyDressed about building a garment around the fabric you love
🪡 Iron Care 101 by @MicheleMuska
🪡 Kate Boyle from @MindMovementHealth shares posture tips and exercises to help prevent sewing aches and pains
🪡 An easy jeans-to-skirt upcycle project from @LaCreativeMama’s Victoria Martinez Azaro
🪡 DIY custom fabrics and creative craft-room upgrades by Stephanie Young from @So_Stephanie_Says
🪡 Plus choosing prints with intention, making your dream wardrobe a reality, and meeting the creator of Project & Cut, Clinton Blackmore to talk all things PDF pattern future
Together We Stitch is all about expert-led sessions, creative demos, practical tips you can take straight to your sewing table, and a community that celebrates every win along the way. Join live or catch the replays when it suits you.
Head to togetherwestitch.com or hit the link in bio to save your seat. 🪡
#TogetherWeStitch #SewingExpo #SewingInspo #MeMade #SewingCommunity #SewistsOfInstagram
Coffee begins long before your morning cuppa! ☕️
2026 has been declared the International Year of the Woman Farmer, led by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the @UnitedNations. It’s a global spotlight with a practical purpose: to recognise women’s indispensable roles across agrifood systems, and to push for the changes that still haven’t arrived evenly, like equal access to land, finance, training, technology and decision-making.
Into that bigger picture steps Elizabeth Duna, a coffee farmer from Papua New Guinea and the chairwoman of the Keto-Tapasi Progress Association. Elizabeth is also the only female chairperson across the @FairtradeANZ cooperative network in the Pacific, overseeing farmers across the association and helping ensure Fairtrade standards are met.
We had the privilege of chatting to Elizabeth (just in time for International Woman’s Day this Sunday, too!) about what’s been growing and changing within her cooperative, what ‘fair trade’ means to her, and the hopes that manifest in a ‘simple’ bag of coffee beans.
Link in bio ☕️
#FairTrade #FairTradeCoffee #InternationalWomensDay
DIFFICULT ✊🏻✊🏽✊🏿
The collab we needed for International Women`s Day… and every day!
From @DangerousFemales:
"Hands up if you’ve ever been called difficult behind your back, to your face, or by an Australian Prime Minister during a Q&A?
DIFFICULT by Grace Tame, in her own handwriting is… one word: ICONIC!
100% of profits from our tees are donated, 100% of the time. Funds from this @TamePunk tee will go to @BerylWomen_inc, a First Nations led women’s refuge in the ACT.
Kinda ironic, don’t ya think?
Supporting an org in the parliament state with words from a politician for Australia’s longest running and underfunded women’s refuge.
Thank you @TamePunk for being difficult." 🫶🙌
Link in bio to get behind this tee!
#InternationalWomensDay #DangerousFemales #GraceTame #Difficult
NEW PATTERN ALERT 🎉
She’s giving comfort, she’s giving style, she’s giving palate-cleansing sewing. There’s nothing quite like an easy breezy dress that’s not only a dream to wear but a delight to sew, and the NEW Peppermint Myrtle Shift Dress delivers!
Cute, classic and cool with a touch of retro: the Myrtle Shift Dress is a beginner-friendly make with sleek lines and elegant curves. Bust darts are in play for shaping and spacious pockets to hold all your treasures. Top-stitching detail around the neck and armholes invites creative contrast threads and the keyhole loop closure at the back neck begs for a feature button (or a tie closure!).
Myrtle cuts above the knee with options to customise the length. Don’t think she’s reserved for hot weather either: try a heavier-weight fabric to turn your Myrtle into a pinafore-style garment for layering.
For our fabrics we chose two from @Karmme_Apparel – the bold Rottnest Stripes in a lightweight, soft-drape cotton, and the quality linen in the handpainted Mexico Collection. Karmme also stocks darling tassels so we popped a hot pink one on as a closure!
The love child of Imby Langenbach, Karmme Apparel (fittingly pronounced ‘calm’), is a haven of boho apparel sewing patterns alongside complementary fabrics steeped in tradition with modern iterations from Jaipur, India. Hand block-printed and digitally printed soft cottons produced by Indian artisans showcase rich colours and designs from Imby’s travels, perfect for showing off me-made masterpieces.
Our dresses were superbly stitched by our sewing manager @Laura_The_Maker, and modelled magnificently by Shannon @Pins_And_Tonic and Serah @SerahSews. And that perfect pink wall was courtesy of the good folk at @ShareTheDignityAustralia, an organisation that aims to bring dignity to women, girls and those who menstruate who are experiencing homelessness, domestic violence and period poverty.
Get making the Myrtle – the only question is, can you stop at just one?
Link in bio 🪡
Photos: @KelleySheenan
Sewist: @Laura_The_Maker
Patternmaker: @GarmentaApparel
Models: @SerahSews and @Pins_And_Tonic
Fabric: @Karmme_Apparel
#PeppermintMyrtleShiftDress #PeppermintPatterns
Connection 🫶🏻
Such great ideas from @GrowWithColby:
“A common theme I noticed in 2025:
Everyone is craving more connection.
Use these friend nights to make it happen in 2026.
Send this to the people you want to do these with.”
#Connection #Friends #Community
No bull - these pants are the cat`s (or cow`s) pyjamas...
Jenny from @RhubarbSundays:
And they are done! My @PeppermintMagazine #PeppermintFernPleatedPants made using a gorgeous fabric from @IndyBindyFabrics! I absolutely love this fabric! It’s soft and drapes beautifully. And the best thing about it is that, from a distance, it looks like an abstract print and then you look closer and theres a curious bull looking right at you. 🤣🤣 🐄 🐮
Really happy with the end product. They are very comfy! I didn’t make many changes to the pattern. Just a touch more room in the rise and a little bit off the waist. I’ll post some closeups of the details tomorrow when I actually take them off. 🤣 "
Grab the pattern from the link in bio!
#PeppermintPatterns #IMakeMyOwnClothes #ClothesThatFeelLikePyjamas #SewersGonnaSew
