Scribbler Gear's latest artist collaboration - the African Protea coat

Meet Ingrid Marais - she hates watermelon and liquorice but loves long evenings of great conversation, backgammon and a glass of red. Her favourite thing to do on a warm, rainy day is to go outside so she can smell the rain. She is also the artist behind our striking African Protea coat. Ingrid is the first artist to collaborate with Scribbler Gear to make truly unique, designer technical coats. The African Protea coat is waterproof to 3000mm and breathable to 800mvp.

We caught up with Ingrid to find out a bit more about this talented lady.

SG: Won't you tell us a bit about yourself Ingrid - your background and how you got into art?

IM: I grew up in Bloemfontein, South Africa - the middle daughter of three. My mother is an artist and there is not any type of art that she did not expose us to - from pottery to wood carving and batik to engraving. All three of us grew up becoming artists - but my mom still is the mother of all artists. There is nothing she can't do! I am so thankful to be her child! 

Art and creating things has always been a big part of my life. My mom used to be potter and when I was only 7 years old I used to take items I made and her discarded items and sell them next to the road. The thrill of someone else finding value in something I made blew me away. So, I drew illustrations for school projects and got my friends to pay me to do theirs too! When I started waitressing as a teenager I offered to draw the specials onto chalk boards and made extra money doing that (which grew into my first real business). Wherever I go, and whatever I do, I am constantly looking for gaps in the market that I can possibly fill. It still blows me away that someone else can see value in something I create.

SG: What inspires your work?

IM: I find it extremely validating if someone sees value in my work - and that inspires me! There is no bigger compliment than your work/services being chosen!

SG: Why did you decide to take on this piece for Scribbler Gear?

IM: I was just so intrigued that someone could envision my bright pink proteas on a waterproof jacket that there was no way I was not going to pursue this! I have never been as proud of any of my 'artworks' and Scribbler Gear's vision and creativity for putting this together has really impressed me - big time!

Scribbler Gear feels honoured to have featured such a beautiful piece of work on our designer technical coats - here's to many more in the future! If you'd like to see more of Scribbler Gear's products, check us out here.

To see more of Ingrid's work get in touch with her at ngridmarais@gmail.com