BECI ORPIN — Soul Safari

Beci Orpin is an internationally respected designer, illustrator and author based in Melbourne, Australia. Having graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Textile Design from RMIT in 1996, she has brought her signature playful graphic style to diverse multidisciplinary projects (from artwork to textiles, stationery, homewares and accessories) for a wide range of clients. She has published a number of books around the themes of craft and creativity including Find and Keep, Home and Make and Do, and has exhibited artworks across a range of mediums in over 40 shows across Australia, the UK, Spain and the US.

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What was your pivot point?

Meeting my husband Raph was a turning point. It was pretty amazing to find someone who I felt could support me in all areas of my life, and vice versa. That was a big game-changer.

Photo: Me, Raph and our oldest son Tyke (taken by our other son Ari).

Did you always know you wanted to be an artist?

From a very early age I knew I wanted to draw. I didn't know how that would play out as a career, but I knew that was what I wanted to be doing every day. I fumbled through a few creative areas, failed high-school art and dropped out of a BA in fashion design. I worked out what I didn't want to be doing creatively. After that I found an amazing mentor, who encouraged me like no-one else had, and through his encouragement I discovered BA Textile Design at RMIT, which I applied for and got into. That course fine-tuned my love for drawing into design with practical applications. Everything then came into focus for me, I could see how I could turn drawing into a living my own way.

Photo: The ever-evolving wall in my studio.

Are you being guided by a mentor or trailblazer?

I've had many MANY mentors along the way. My current one is Jane. She's an editor who worked on one of my books. Her continuous passion for her work and family is very infectious and admirable.

Photo: Some bits and pieces of a project from my new book (out 2017!)

What's your advice for someone going through their own transformation?

Be true to yourself. Don't force things, they will happen when the universe decides it is meant to.

Photo: Patterns for Who Gives a Crap collab, one of my favourite projects to date!

Where is your soul place?

Tokyo has always been my design mecca! The Japanese sense of style and attention to detail is next level, and the sense of calm and order which is achieved despite such a huge population astounds me every time. I need to check-in there at least every 18 months.

Photo: Back streets of Shibuya, Tokyo.

What are you working on right now?

So much! These are some parts of an installation currently on show in Tokyo.

If you could do anything in the world, what would you do next?

Make every aspect of my life emit positivity. It feels impossible but it's getting closer! Work on a huge and well-funded project with my partner Raph (our own hotel is the current dream) and get to collaborate with all our awesome friends on it.

Photo: Some parts of an installation currently on show in Tokyo.

All images used with permission of Beci Orpin.