The Lavender Whim Story
I'm Jill-Ann Mark, the creative director and illustrator at The Lavender Whim. I create my illustrations as a way of capturing the colors and textures that exist in every corner of our world and love to engage them in telling a story. It's a joyful full-circle thing for me to then use these interpretations in a product line designed to foster human connection. Painting lets me celebrate wonder, small moments of humor, and the gift that is love all at the same time.
The Lavender Whim products are playful, colorful, and intended to delight. A well-considered blend of lighthearted humor (never snarky) and gentle affirmations allows my brand to span genders, ages, and relationships. I am not a traditional watercolorist. I use very heavyweight papers (300#) and a patient process of layering pigment to challenge the boundaries of saturation. I'm a huge fan of genuine mineral watercolors and these allow me to further explore the range and light qualities that can be made to translate into a 2-D printed image
The Lavender Whim magic happens in a little mid-century house in Ellicott City, Maryland. I sunny days in my outdoor sitting garden, sketching, painting, all while watching the silly antics my colorful flock of laying hens. My two dogs, two bunnies, and parakeet round out the menagerie.
The Lavender Whim is a team effort; thank you to Rob & Lynn who help with fulfillment, in-person events, and wholesale outreach.
All The Lavender Whim paper products utilize FSC certified papers, most with 30% or more recycled content. We partner with many other small businesses to print our various products, many right here in our own community -- we truly believe that we're all in this together.