I’m Kay Umland, a surface
pattern designer based in Southern California, where the ocean,
wildlife,
and open landscapes continually inspire my work. I’ve been drawing
and painting for as long as I can
remember, and that lifelong love of art still
guides every design I create.
With over fifteen years of
experience in custom apparel design, primarily in silk-screened t-shirts,
I bring
a strong foundation in commercial art and production to
everything I do. My patterns are rooted in a love
for geometry, rhythm, and
symbolism, often exploring the elegance of interlace design
influenced by
Celtic and Art Deco motifs.
As an interlace artist, I
blend bold geometry and graceful flow to create designs that uplift home
décor and
stationery with joy and light. I also create detailed
botanical and animal illustrations, blending hand-drawn
precision with
modern pattern aesthetics. Whether designed for textiles, stationery, or home
goods, my goal
is to craft artwork that resonates, delights, and elevates
everyday life.
When I’m not in the studio, you’ll
find me watching waves, exploring tide pools, reading, or wandering in
nature—always gathering inspiration for what comes next.