Studio Stories: Tati Abaurre

Combining Architecture, Sustainability, and All Things Adorable, an Interview With Tati Abaurre

Tati Abaurre never thought that her education in architecture and sustainability would lead her down the path of becoming an artist, but it has enriched each piece in an incredible way. By making art that’s both mindful and playful, parents can raise kids who are creative and kind.

Once Tati became a mother herself, her change in perspective allowed her to take her art to the next level. What started as crafting sweet designs for her son turned into a gift the whole world can now appreciate. Read on to enjoy our interview with this brilliant artist and learn more about the invitation collection (full collection link) she designed for Greetings Island.

For your Greetings Island collaboration, you created invitations for birthday parties, weddings, and engagement parties. What’s your favorite type of event to attend and why?

I personally love weddings! They’re such beautiful celebrations of love that are usually filled with many, many beautiful flowers and thoughtful details. I love the pretty decorations, the beautiful dresses, and the pretty desserts and cake. I also love how unique each wedding is and how much they reflect the personality of the couple. It’s always lovely to be part of such a special day.

How has becoming a mother shaped the way you create? Has motherhood deepened your passion for children’s art?

Becoming a mother was a key turning point in my creative career. Before I was pregnant with my son, I was creating art in many different mediums and in many directions while trying to improve my skills, but I wasn’t sure what exactly I wanted to do. During my pregnancy, I started noticing that I couldn’t find the things I wanted to buy for my son in the designs I wanted. I also felt very inspired by the baby and kids world, and since I was sewing at the time, I decided to start designing my own prints to print on fabric and sewing things myself for my son. At that time, I fell in love with designing for babies and kids. I went on to spend all of my time creating patterns and illustrations, which opened so many doors for me. It launched me into my current career as a pattern designer and illustrator.

You have a bachelor’s degree in architecture and a master’s degree in green building and sustainability. How has your educational background impacted the way you see and create art?

I feel like, in many ways, these two themes are interwoven in my work, although not in obvious ways. I think the architecture translates as my love for more modernized and stylized shapes for animals and flowers. I think the sustainability is reflected in my love for nature, which is the main theme of my art. I have thought of creating an illustration series that would have a more direct connection with sustainability, for example, to promote the protection of our forests and oceans, but this is still an idea for now.

The invitations you made for Greetings Island have all kinds of adorable animals. Bears, owls, hedgehogs, and bunnies are just a few examples. Do you have a favorite animal to illustrate?

If I had to choose one animal, it would be birds because I find them so pretty. I am fascinated by the variation in feathers, colors, and all the details. I find them beautiful and so interesting. But I honestly love drawing all animals– bunnies, hedgehogs, foxes, everything cute!

One of your most adventurous Greetings Island invitation designs is for a space-themed birthday party. What’s one of the most unique themed parties you’ve hosted or attended?

I love costume parties! I love dressing up and embracing a more creative fantasy-like personality, and it’s always so fun to come up with pretty costume ideas.

You’ve shared online that you grew up in Brazil. Has your home influenced the way you create your beautiful art?

Yes, I believe that it has definitely influenced my work. In Brazil, we have nature that’s particularly beautiful, gorgeous wildlife and plants, and lovely sceneries. It’s very clear when living there how much of the natural beauty inspires the vibrant culture, colorful art, and fashion. In my style, I think it translates through my love for birds, colorful florals, botanical drawings, and happy joyful designs in general.

Do you ever struggle to come up with new design ideas? If so, what do you do to break through your creativity block?

There are definitely some days when ideas are flowing a little less than others. I have a few things I do to get inspired again, and they usually involve taking a small break to get my mind out of work a bit, such as going for a walk, taking a warm bath, watching a movie, or baking. The days when I tend to be “out of ideas” are usually days when I’m tired and overwhelmed, so taking a break helps me recharge my energy. If I’m feeling energized but creativity is a little blocked, I’ll often gather inspiration by going through my collection of vintage botanical, fruit wildlife, and bird illustrations. That always gets me inspired to draw.

You create art to bring joy to others. What are some of the top things that bring you joy in life?

I love admiring the beauty of nature! Going on walks outside with my husband and son, listening to the birds, observing flowers and wildlife, and seeing the water (rivers, lakes, and especially the ocean) are some of my favorites. I also love baking and painting, which bring me a lot of joy in my day-to-day life.

Your work has been turned into pajamas, wallpaper, decor, children’s books, and more. How does it make you feel knowing that your art can be a part of so many people’s everyday lives?

It feels like a dream come true! I’ve always loved art and beautiful designs. Being surrounded by pretty things has always brought so much joy into my own life, and it’s truly a dream that I now also get to create pretty things to bring joy to other people’s lives as well.

Your designs incorporate a lot of uplifting quotes, such as, “Only from the heart can you touch the sky. –Rumi” Do you have a favorite quote?

Yes, I love incorporating uplifting quotes into my art. It’s hard to choose a single favorite, but I’d say one of my favorite quotes is “It is never too late to be what you might have been” by George Eliot.

Greetings Island knows that the best parties are ones that are filled with love and creativity, which is why we always team up with artists like Tati Abaurre who pour that amazing energy into their work.

Make sure you take a look at our whole party invitation collection so you can start bookmarking your favorites for upcoming events. We make it easy to customize each design so it fits your hosting needs perfectly.
Tati has so much more to create! Follow her on Instagram @tatiabaurre so you’ll never miss her latest creations that will brighten up your social media feed.