Each Mother’s Day, we celebrate creativity and connection by partnering with a local artist to feature their artwork across the packaging of our seasonal gifting range. This year, we’re honoured to collaborate with Melbourne artist Alison Willoughby, whose vibrant, whimsical designs – born in her Brunswick studio – bring our seasonal gifting range to life with joyful pops of colour and playful patterns.
We spoke to Alison ahead of the launch on her art, the collaboration and gifting for Mother’s Day.
Please talk us through the artworks featured in the endota seasonal campaign
Watermelon was the first piece I created that inspired a series of paintings exploring the concept of taking up space. The bold colour palette and dominating shapes in this piece represent unapologetic boldness, with compositions and striking colours that command attention. This piece centres around claiming the space one occupies, embracing this instead of shying away from it.
Sunray was created to highlight the joyful feeling of the summertime sunshine as it stretches across a space. This piece also references the recognisable forms of flowers, often seen in my work.
Confetti Jumble was created to be a repeat pattern for textiles – using motifs and forms found in my collage pieces. This artwork was inspired by paper collage and the scattered, random placements that are found during play, during the process phase of creating a composition.
Watermelon by Alison Willoughby
Sunray by Alison Willoughby
Confetti Jumble by Alison Willoughby
Where do you draw inspiration from in your artworks?
All my pieces are deeply informed by my background in design, as well as the world around me. Colour has always been the major focus in my work and a constant, evolving inspiration. I am often drawing inspiration from nature and flowers, many of my pieces take reference from organic forms seen in everyday life, as well as references from fashion and textiles.
Tell us the Alison Willoughby story and how you got started in the art world
Growing up I always hoped I would work in a creative field, my mum was always encouraging us with different creative projects at home, and at school the art and design classes were my favourite. After school I went on to study Graphic Design. Studying design gave me a real appreciation for the visual world around me and I started to create my own artwork alongside my studies.
Post studies, I got started in the fashion industry as a graphic designer, where I also developed skills in textile design, marketing and art direction. I’ve been working in this industry for over ten years, alongside my art practice, and everything I’ve learnt in the workforce has helped me so much with my art.
I’ve always loved paper collage, and I have always found it to be such an accessible medium. My collages eventually turned into paintings as I started to paint on canvas in 2018, in an abstract style I still continue to develop today. My background in design and textiles is really important as it has helped to shape my style and aesthetic choices.
Since my first paintings, I’ve been lucky enough to exhibit my work in over 15 exhibitions, including two solo exhibitions, across Melbourne and Sydney. Some of my proudest achievements are my collaborations, with this endota collaboration being my biggest one to date!
Where do you draw inspiration from in your artworks?
All my pieces are deeply informed by my background in design, as well as the world around me. Colour has always been the major focus in my work and a constant, evolving inspiration. I am often drawing inspiration from nature and flowers, many of my pieces take reference from organic forms seen in everyday life, as well as references from fashion and textiles.
Tell us the Alison Willoughby story and how you got started in the art world
Growing up I always hoped I would work in a creative field, my mum was always encouraging us with different creative projects at home, and at school the art and design classes were my favourite. After school I went on to study Graphic Design. Studying design gave me a real appreciation for the visual world around me and I started to create my own artwork alongside my studies.
Post studies, I got started in the fashion industry as a graphic designer, where I also developed skills in textile design, marketing and art direction. I’ve been working in this industry for over ten years, alongside my art practice, and everything I’ve learnt in the workforce has helped me so much with my art.
I’ve always loved paper collage, and I have always found it to be such an accessible medium. My collages eventually turned into paintings as I started to paint on canvas in 2018, in an abstract style I still continue to develop today. My background in design and textiles is really important as it has helped to shape my style and aesthetic choices.
Since my first paintings, I’ve been lucky enough to exhibit my work in over 15 exhibitions, including two solo exhibitions, across Melbourne and Sydney. Some of my proudest achievements are my collaborations, with this endota collaboration being my biggest one to date!
Talk us through your understanding of our Mother’s Day campaign: share the unshared
It can be really difficult to share those moments in life that are raw, especially when you have a platform online. I find this as an artist when I am sharing my artwork, particularly through social media. I do think it is important to share these moments though! Sometimes things can appear ‘perfect’ on the surface, and this can be isolating for others. Trying to share more of those moments is something I am working on; this campaign is a great reminder!
As inspiration for the gifters out there, what are you giving this Mother’s Day from the seasonal gifting range?
For my own mum, I would choose the Face & Body Bliss Pack. It includes the wash bag with my artwork and, as she travels lots, I think this would be a great gift for her. If it was for one of my friends who are new to being mums, it would be the Sleep Sound Pack, for obvious reasons – better sleep! The silk pillowcase is great in this set too, as it is something that they can hold onto for longer, which I like.
What does Mother's Day mean to you?
Mother’s Day to me is about showing your mum, or mother figure in your life, how much you appreciate them, from the big to the small moments. Spending time together is a privilege and savouring these times is super important.
You have your own fur baby, Crumpet! What has being a mother to Crumpet taught you about motherhood
I can’t pretend I know anything about being a mum myself – but it is pretty special being a dog mum! With Crumpet I’ve learnt that all the hard moments are completely outweighed by all the special, cuddly moments and now I couldn’t imagine not having him in my life. I have a few close friends who are new mums, and I am constantly inspired by them navigating all the huge changes that come with motherhood and becoming amazing mums.
What does Mother's Day mean to you?
Mother’s Day to me is about showing your mum, or mother figure in your life, how much you appreciate them, from the big to the small moments. Spending time together is a privilege and savouring these times is super important.
You have your own fur baby, Crumpet! What has being a mother to Crumpet taught you about motherhood
I can’t pretend I know anything about being a mum myself – but it is pretty special being a dog mum! With Crumpet I’ve learnt that all the hard moments are completely outweighed by all the special, cuddly moments and now I couldn’t imagine not having him in my life. I have a few close friends who are new mums, and I am constantly inspired by them navigating all the huge changes that come with motherhood and becoming amazing mums.
shop the limited edition range
Imagery by Edwina Hollick
