Esther Loopstra
Seattle-based illustrator Esther Loopstra specializes in food and travel, hand-lettering, and surface design. Her work radiates whimsy, dreaminess, and fluidity, and is an extension of her perpetual curiosity, as seen with her illustrations on the Seattle Chocolate Celebrate Collection and line of limited-edition chocolate truffle bars for Summer. In addition to creating art, Esther has a passion for teaching others to express their own creativity and is an instructor at Cornish College of the Arts. Learn more at estherloopstra.com.
Q & A with Esther Loopstra
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What is the most challenging part of the design process? What’s the most fun?
Sometimes I find the most challenging thing is narrowing the ideas down to just one! I have so many ideas and it’s difficult for everyone to agree on one they like best. I love creating sketches and ideas and then actually being able to bring them to life with color. Also, seeing them on the shelves is always fantastic!
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How do you infuse a Northwest spirit into your work?
I create a lot of work for companies in Seattle, so I am always bringing references to the Northwest into the imagery in some way, whether it’s a color aesthetic or imagery. Travel is a big part of my life, so I draw inspiration from taking photos or just remembering those experiences.
“I was first drawn to Esther’s angular illustration in cool shades of green of a hiker on a trail with his trusty dog. Esther is known for her whimsical illustrations and hand lettering, which she shows off in our Seattle Chocolate Campers S’mores truffle bar."
Kirsty Ellison VP of Marketing