WHERE YOU GO, INSPIRATION FOLLOWS.

28 Jan

LASOLA LETTERS // ISSUE 004
By Tessa Stirling

While traveling through Portugal, I found myself in a small coastal town called Ericeira. Every home was beautifully decorated with ceramic tiles, creating a stark contrast to the brick and cement homes lining the streets back home in Australia.

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I had been working on a personal art series, challenging myself to confine my designs to a square. This self-imposed limitation led me to explore endless possibilities, playing with colour theory and abstract elements inspired by nature.

What began as a creative exercise quickly became an obsession. I filled my art journal with over 50 little square paintings, each one a reflection of my surroundings and experiences. Surrounded by the tiled homes of Portugal, I realised that ceramic tiles were the perfect medium to bring my designs to life.

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These tiles are infused with so many memories, collected from 17 countries I explored across Europe. Turning these ideas into physical tiles has been a labor of love and learning. I’ve had to master the intricacies of ceramics: how many layers to paint, the ideal kiln temperature, how colours transform after firing, how clear glaze changes the finish, and even how to capture their beauty in photos. Every step has been an process of trial and error and nothing short of transformative.

Returning from travels with a busy mind and even busier schedule, painting these tiles became my refuge — a way to quiet my mind and fulfil my endless desire to create.

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Each tile carries a story, a memory, and a piece of my journey.

If you would like to own a little ode to my travels you can find the collection here. I hope the designs bring a sense of calm and inspiration into your home, just as they have for me.

Thank you for supporting my art and creative journey. It means the world to me.

Chat soon, much love Tess

Written from my favourite cafe in South Fremantle // 28 Jan 2025