Shelly Craig

Your art is a vibrant tribute to marine life. What draws you to the underwater world as your primary inspiration?

I grew up landlocked in the Midwest and spent years in healthcare before everything changed on a scuba vacation to Bonaire in the early ’90s. This tiny island paradise captured our hearts, and we’ve called it home ever since. As a scuba diver, I’ve spent countless hours beneath the surface, surrounded by mesmerizing colors, textures, and the quiet magic of marine life—a world full of wonder and movement that I love capturing through watercolor and ink.

How did your experience as a scuba instructor influence your transition into surface pattern design?

I wanted stylish rashguards that reflected the ocean I loved—and couldn’t find any. So I began designing my own. That spark grew into surface pattern design, a way to merge my underwater experiences with creative expression and bring the sea’s colors, moods, and characters to life.

Shelly Craig | Lionfish

You skillfully combine traditional watercolor with digital techniques. Can you walk us through your creative process from sketch to final design?

I start with loose pencil sketches inspired by sea creatures, corals, or island flora. I paint them in watercolor and often add fine ink details for texture and personality. After scanning at high resolution, I refine and arrange the elements digitally in Photoshop and Illustrator, adjusting color, layout, and repeat. It’s a blend of analog spontaneity and digital precision, allowing my designs to come alive on fabric, paper, and more.

The lionfish and seahorse artworks are both full of personality and color. Do you often imagine your sea creatures as characters with their own stories?

Absolutely! The lionfish, with its dramatic fins, is the flamboyant show-off of the reef, while the seahorse feels curious, shy, and gentle. I like to imagine them as part of an underwater cast of characters—each with a unique rhythm and role in the reef’s ecosystem.

Living on the island of Bonaire must offer constant inspiration. How does island life shape your daily creative rhythm?

Bonaire’s natural rhythm—gentle breezes, turquoise seas, and still mornings—guides my work. Daily walks by the sea or paddleboarding over the reef keep me connected to the landscape and refill my creative well. The island gives me both the inspiration and the space to create with clarity and intention.

Shelly Craig | Seahorse

What is your favorite subject to illustrate — fish, corals, plants, or something else entirely?

It’s hard to choose, but I’m especially drawn to fish, shells, flamingos, and palm trees. Each fish has its own shape, palette, and energy; shells hold the story of time in their spirals—nature’s jewelry. Flamingos bring playful elegance, and palm trees embody island serenity. Together, they capture the vibrant spirit of the tropics I love to paint.

As a surface designer, what types of products excite you most when you see your patterns applied?

Fabric, athleisure wear, and home décor excite me most. There’s something magical about transforming a painting into something wearable or functional—a pillow, rashguard, wall print, or greeting card—that brings art into daily life. Seeing my work add color and joy to someone’s space is incredibly fulfilling.