When you fall in love with an artist’s work once… sometimes you just have to go back for more. 💙
Australian surface pattern designer Keera Job has been part of the Sheila May story for a few years now, and you might already recognise some of her beautiful work.
Our original Posy floral was created by Keera and first appeared in those gorgeous reds you loved. For our newest collection, we went back to that much-loved design and asked a very important question… what if we gave Posy a completely new look?
From there came the beautiful blue and brown palette of Indigo Posy, along with coordinating Blueberry Check and Freckle - three prints designed to mix, match and live happily together.
We thought it was the perfect time to introduce you properly to the talented woman behind the prints. So, grab a cuppa and meet Keera Job - artist, pattern designer, colour lover and the creative mind behind some of the prints in our newest collection.
Tell us a little about yourself! Where are you from, what are your hobbies and passions?
I'm a surface pattern designer based in Dubbo, NSW. While my full-time role is in education, I've always maintained my creative practice alongside my career through Keera Job Design Studio. My love of designing began as a teenager learning to sew and quilt alongside my Grandma. I fell in love with fabrics and had a dream to design my own. I’ve also always loved drawing, painting, and designing patterns, particularly florals. Creating artwork is my creative escape and a way to unwind from the demands of my work and study. I'm passionate about colour, textiles, design, and making beautiful patterns. Drawing and creating patterns is my escape. Even after all these years, seeing my work come to life on products still brings me such a thrill.
What inspires your artwork? Are there particular themes, places, or memories that influence your designs?
Nature is my biggest source of inspiration. Florals and bright, happy colours have always been the basis of my work. I'm inspired by gardens, nature, vintage textiles, and beautiful colour combinations. A lot of my work has also been inspired by places and spaces around me, and where I grew up. I love finding pieces that coordinate together to help tell a story. Many of my original quilt designs, and design collections share stories of my childhood and the people that have inspired me along the way.
Can you share the story behind the artwork featured in your Sheila May Swimwear collaboration?
This floral design has a special history because it's actually the second version of a design I created for Toni and Sheila May Swim several years ago. The original floral featured in a beautiful red collection and was so popular. It is still one of my favourite pieces! When Toni approached me again, she wanted to revisit the design with a fresh new colour palette. We worked together to transform the floral into the beautiful blue and brown tones featured in this collection. We also created coordinating gingham and spot prints to complement the main floral design. It has been really fun to reimagine a familiar design in a completely new colour story and create something that feels completely fresh and new.
How did it feel seeing your art come to life on swimwear?
I honestly still have ‘pinch me’ moments over this - it never gets old! It's incredibly rewarding, and a feeling that is hard to describe. As a surface pattern designer, most of my work begins as sketches and digital artwork on a screen, so seeing it transformed into a finished product is truly a special experience. I create art around a busy full-time career, family, and study commitments, so seeing the finished product is a reminder of why I keep making time for my business and my art. It’s such a special feeling wearing your own designs also! One of the things that make it even more meaningful is knowing people wear these pieces while making memories and spending time with family, travelling, and enjoying life. Seeing my work become part of those moments is something I will never take for granted.
What message or feeling do you hope people take away when they wear your designs?
I love the concept of Sheila May Swim, and swimwear for every body. Aligned with this, and above all, I hope people feel confident, happy, and comfortable. I want my artwork to bring a sense of joy. If someone puts on a piece featuring one of my designs and feels a little brighter, more confident, or simply smiles because they love the pattern, then I've achieved exactly what I hoped for.
What first sparked your love for creating art, and how has your journey as an artist evolved over time?
I've loved drawing and creating for as long as I can remember. As a child, I was always drawing, making things, and crafting. Over time, that creative passion evolved into surface pattern design. I became fascinated by the way artwork can be repeated across fabric and products, creating something both beautiful and functional. One of my early dreams was to see my artwork on fabric, and I've been fortunate enough to have several quilting fabric collections released over the years. Seeing those collections come to life was a milestone for me and helped shape my journey as a designer. My journey is continually evolving. I’m learning new skills, refining my style, and finding opportunities to collaborate with other brands on different products. While my creative business is now something I pursue alongside my career and studies, the joy of creating hasn't changed. If anything, I appreciate it more because it's become an important creative outlet in my life.
Where else can people find your work or other collaborations you have worked on?
People can find my work and pattern products through my Etsy store: Keera Job Design Studio and on my social media channels, where I share new artwork, pattern collections, and creative projects. Over the years I've been fortunate to see my designs featured in quilting fabric collections with Riley Blake Designs. I love creating artwork for products - there's something very special about seeing pattern designs become part of people's everyday lives.
What message would you like to share with aspiring artists who dream of seeing their work on fashion and swimwear?
Keep creating and keep sharing your work. It's easy to compare yourself to others, but every artist develops their style over time. Focus on building a body of work that genuinely reflects who you are, stay curious, and don't be afraid to put your work out into the world. This opportunity came through connecting with Toni and being brave enough to share my portfolio of work. Opportunities often come from relationships, consistency, and being open to collaboration. Sometimes the designs you're most passionate about become the ones that connect most deeply with others.
What’s next for you as an artist? Any exciting projects on the horizon?
At the moment, I'm balancing creativity with a full-time career and Master of Business studies, so my design projects tend to happen whenever I can carve out the time. For me, creating isn't something I switch on and off. I'm constantly inspired by colour, florals, and new ideas, and I look forward to seeing where those ideas might lead in the future. continuing to grow Keera Job Design Studio and explore new opportunities for licensing and collaboration. I’ll continue collecting ideas, working on new patterns, and creating new collections and colour palettes, even if they don't all make it into the world straight away!
A huge thank you to Keera for sharing a little more of her story with us - and, of course, for bringing these beautiful prints to life. 💙
There’s something extra special about knowing the story and the person behind the artwork you’re wearing, and we love that Keera’s designs are now heading off on beach days, holidays, pool trips and adventures with Sheilas everywhere.
You can discover Indigo Posy, Blueberry Check and Freckle in our newest collection — Sandhills here.
We have a feeling this won’t be the last time you see Keera’s artwork around here. 😉
