We're still over the moon about the launch of our Milestone Collection! Today, we come to you with a little peek behind the curtain, an exclusive interview with Milestone Card artist, Carrie, from Pearly Gates Designs. 

How long have you been painting? Tell us more about you.

I have loved art and creating since I can remember! I grew up with an art teacher for a mom, and she always encouraged me to get my hands dirty, whether it was with clay, paint, charcoal, etc. I went to the University of Texas, where I fell in love with the design facet of the art world. I worked in mobile app design after college and continued painting in my free time.  Eventually my passion for painting grew into a full time business, Pearly Gates Designs. I now live in the desert of West Texas with my husband and two little girls. I am so grateful to get to do what I love with such amazing and inspiring clients. No matter what I am working on, I like to see each day as a new opportunity and challenge to add a little bit more joy and beauty into the world. 

What's the inspiration behind the design of the milestone cards?

I love PK's mission to collect meaningful memories in a thoughtful way. I was inspired to create something that would go along with their beautiful aesthetic as well as encapsulate the joy in these cherished milestones. I designed the patterns on each card to create a sweet background for each celebratory occasion. I worked with a soft color palette that would compliment the cards as a group and gave attention to making each design stand alone as its own piece of artwork.

Can you give us a glimpse of the process of bringing these beautiful designs together?

It was so much fun to work with the PK team and bounce ideas off each other! We started with a large array of artwork and thoughtfully curated it down to our top 12 pieces to make the perfect set! We gave a lot of attention to creating designs that could be used throughout a lifetime - whether it be a newborn's monthly photos, a child's first days of school, or even a wedding countdown!

Your forever inspo? 

Traveling and being outside will always be my go-to for inspiration! Having a fresh new atmosphere to help me step back and see the beauty God has created always blows me away, and it inspires me to pick up my paint brush!  I also find so much inspiration in seeing the world through my children's eyes. I love how they find magic in the world that as adults we often grow accustomed to. 

Your style in a few words? 

Whimsical, Colorful, Joyful

Top 3 IG follows 

Picking three is SO hard! Lately, I have been loving @blairadiebee (I love her use of color and joyful silhouettes), @sarablakely (so genuine and inspiring, plus I am also a fan of her husband @jesseitzler-- the most motivating duo!), and @cameron_ruppert_interiors (playful and beautiful designs).

Recent IG saves? 

Artwork by @rebekahmiles (hoping to snag one of her amazing ceramic pieces someday), delicious salad recipes by @kat_can_cook, and inspiring pink posts from @thecolonypalmbeach.

What are you reading/what podcast are you listening to?

I love to listen to audiobooks and have a highlight on my Instagram of some of my favorites. I just finished The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki and LOVED it! I also am a big fan of @emilylanders podcast, "How'd She Do That?"-- so many good interviews and insight from amazing women!

What are you listening to while you're painting? 

Usually audiobooks! Sometimes I can look at a piece I painted and recall what I was listening to - "oh yes that's the flower I painted when Mr. Darcy proposed to Elizabeth"  haha! When I really need to concentrate or am sending emails, I have a Grateful Dead mix playing - unless of course it's anywhere close to Christmas time, then I can guarantee Bing Crosby is serenading me.

Pencil or paintbrush? 

Always a paintbrush! I usually prefer doing my sketches with paint versus a pencil to help keep my drawings loose.

What's next for Pearly Gates Designs?

I'm so excited to see where life leads me! I have some fun things coming out for Christmas that I cannot wait to share. There will be a new "Home Product" coming out next year that I am thrilled for you all to see! It's so much fun to work with brands I love and inspiring women I now call friends. Hopefully, you will see some repeat collabs as well as some fun new ones!

It was so much fun working with Carrie to bring these Milestone Cards to life. Be sure to follow her on Instagram to see all of the beautiful things she creates!