Artist Story > Cabin Journal


I don’t know about you but I sure want a hot pink watermelon postcard landing in my mailbox! Emily of Cabin Journal has totally put her sweet spin on everyday objects. Whether it be pinecones, cookies or even manicured hands, her postcards immediately bring on cheer.        

Here's a little background on Cabin Journal >

Where do you live?

Downtown Toronto, wedged between (what was) the Fashion District and China Town.

How did you start Cabin Journal?

Cabin has been evolving since it’s inception in 2014. What began as a prospective small-press, independently published magazine focusing on young makers in Canada has transformed instead into a fledgling stationery (and soon textile home goods) company with a nostalgic feel and twin passions for nature and pattern. Both projects still share a love of paper goods and the unique and personal tactile experience they lend the user. The magazine contents are still simmering in the background, waiting for Cabin to - eventually - circle around to it’s publication origins. One day.


What are you reading?
 
Witches of America by Alex Mar. This impulse buy from the book store (I really liked the dust jacket design, though was mildly interested in the topic as well) has so far been inspiring and entertaining.

What's your favourite podcast?

I’ll admit I’m terrible with podcasts. I usually listen to audio books when I’m working. It’s like story time, something I never really grew out of I suppose! I tend to listen to the same books over and over. There is something comforting in them, like old friends. I know all chapters intimately, as well as the nuances of the reader; I find having them playing in the background chattering away doesn’t distract - I can stop listening or can pick it up again and know exactly what’s happening. Currently playing in the background, The Hobbit, for the 600th time, I’m sure. 


Where did you last travel?

I’ve just got home from Naples, Florida (goodbye flowers!) - it made a nice break from Toronto’s signature grey tones.

What are your influences/inspiration?

Broadly, I’d list my top inspiration sources as nature (chiefly flowers, plants, birds, fruit), vintage textiles (floral motifs, feedsack patterns, Scandinavian designs) and old books (on nature, world textiles, and illustrated children’s stories). Objects and memories from childhood also play a large influence - nostalgic memories many share like mixed-cookie tins and corner store dime candies. Escaping the city environs lights up the brightest inspirations though. Getting out into the country or down to the Maritimes every summer completely refreshes me and leaves me bubbling with a veritable stew of new ideas.


What is your creative process?

It varies depending on what I am working on. Sometimes I need a trip out of the city or a good foraging session at an antique-fair for inspiration to get started in on a project. Sometimes a colour or a fragment of some pattern will inform the direction of the designs to come. Whatever inspiration sparks the idea, sketching out plans and then colour blocking them in with markers follows. Everything on paper is pretty loose - I prefer tightening up designs digitally. The finals are all digital too, drawn or painted in Photoshop or Illustrator and colour separated (if printing screen or risograph).

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love exploring markets in my spare time; I’m lucky China Town and Kensington are so close by, there are so many fruit vendors and small shops near to look through. There’s always something new and interesting to discover. I can spend hours happily trawling a shoreline for rocks/shells/glass pieces/shards of old crockery; habits from childhood that never faded, the thrill of the hunt. I delight in antique markets and fairs, the more the better. There is no better place to see so many different things displayed all at once, so much eye candy and inspiration at every turn, it’s divine!


Find Cabin Journal > website instagram facebook

Comments