CREATIVE CONVERSATIONS

Michelle Parascandolo

is a New York City–based freelance surface pattern designer and illustrator. She specializes in creating floral patterns that give off a retro, whimsical vibe, yet still have an overall fresh and modern feel. She is the author of From Petal to Pattern, which teaches readers how to create their own floral patterns.

Michelle has a BFA in Textile/Surface design from the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Where you can find Michelle

michelleparascandolo.com

@michelle.parascandolo

Online shop

What’s your earliest memory involving flowers?

My elementary school had a bunch of different types of fundraisers, like bake sales, book sales, and my favorite: plant sales. I remember going to my first plant sale when I was about five years old and being so fascinated by all of the different types of flowers and plants. There were so many that I had never seen before and I was enamored with all of them.

Floral pattern by Michelle Parascandolo with orange, pink, and yellow flowers

What drives your creativity?

At this point in my life, creating feels more like something I just need to do. It helps me to feel centered and the most like myself.

Black Converse shoes with floral-patterned laces by Michelle Parascandolo

Floral patterned wallpaper by Michelle Parascandolo with orange, pink, and yellow flowers

Floral pattern by Michelle Parascandolo with green background and yellow and orange daisies

What role do flowers play in your life?

Drawing flowers really helps me to feel connected to nature. I have such an appreciation for the world around me and feel like I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing.

Michelle Parascandolo painting blue watercolor flowers on paper

What were some of the major points along the trajectory of your design work?

I studied Textile/Surface Design in college, but shortly after graduating, I stopped creating and really gave up on art and design in general. I had interviewed for a ton of different jobs, but nothing seemed to feel right. I felt discouraged and really second guessed if design was the right path for me.

For years, I worked a bunch of different unrelated jobs until I felt that something was truly missing in my life, which was art. Slowly over time I made my way back to design and am now fortunate enough to be a full-time freelance surface pattern designer.

Floral pattern by Michelle Parascandolo with brown background and pink, orange, and white flowers

“Just jump in

and explore all of the

avenues that interest you.”

Floral pattern by Michelle Parascandolo with pink, orange, teal, and peach flowers

What’s the best advice you’ve been given that’s helped shape your work?

I think a lot of times as artists we hear we need to have a “signature style.” While I definitely agree there is value in having your artwork being easily recognized as yours, I think the idea of having a “signature style” hindered me a bit when I was first starting my freelance career. I was trying to force myself to create in only one specific style, rather than just letting myself create naturally. I think the best advice I was ever given was to create exactly what you want to create, not what you think you should create.

This helped me a lot to just create more and think less. Now, I really don’t concentrate too much on forcing my designs to look like “me,” I just create whatever it is that I want to. I love to explore different techniques and styles. Some of my florals are loose and abstract, others are bold and graphic, and really everything in between. I know that if I am being true to myself, my artwork is going to have my own personal stamp on it no matter what style or technique I use.

Floral pattern by Michelle Parascandolo with large orange, blue, and aqua flowers

What’s a non-negotiable for your creative workspace?

I really just need to be by myself in order to tap into my creativity. I am easily distracted, and when there are other people around I feel like I can never actually create at my full potential.

Floral pattern by Michelle Parascandolo with blue, aqua, pink, and green flowers

Michelle’s designs on wallpapers from Happy Wall

Floral pattern by Michelle Parascandolo with pink flowers and olive green leaves

Floral pattern by Michelle Parascandolo with a dark background and fuchsia, pink, and orange flowers

Floral pattern by Michelle Parascandolo with peach, pink, and blue flowers

Floral pattern by Michelle Parascandolo with orange, pink, and white flowers

What advice would you share with others who are beginning to develop their creative styles and find their own way?

You really don’t know what’s going to work for you specifically until you try. There are plenty of things that I thought I really wanted to do, and then after I did them I realized it actually wasn’t what I wanted. It is hard to know until you're really doing it. So just jump in and explore all of the avenues that interest you, and focus heavily on the specific things that you really enjoy and you feel are beneficial for you.

All image credits above: Michelle Parascandolo

Handpicked

A few of Michelle’s favorites…

Favorite flower

So hard to pick just one, but I’d have to say cosmos.

Favorite season

Summer

Current style inspiration

1970s

Current color obsession

Pink

Your last great read

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Thank you so much, Michelle!

Image credits: Michelle Parascandolo

Michelle Parascandolo