Here at Slowdown Studio we love collaborating with emerging and established artists from across the globe. We recently had the opportunity to chat with Danielle Peterson, the artist behind the new A Place to Rest Art Print. Danielle is an illustrator and visual artist who lives on a peaceful, coastal prairie in Pescadero, California. She finds inspiration from her natural-world surroundings (living near the ocean on a flower farm) and an idyllic, dream-like world.
Who do you think is the most exciting emerging creative in your city? (can be music, art, anything)
I am very inspired by the work of Wyatt Hersey, Lindsay Stripling and Rylie High (@antiquesrodehoe). Although I feel as if I am the emerging one in this lineup of artists.
Where are your favorite places to go in your city?
I live in a rural area of Coastal California, so the closest cities to me are Santa Cruz and San Francisco. The section of coastline I live on is my favorite place in the whole world because of the peace, beauty, and diversity. I love daydreaming with the ocean on the bluffs of Whitehouse Creek Beach. I love wandering barefoot in the sand dunes of Gazos Creek Beach. I love being in reverence of the red wood groves of Butano State Park. Living in such proximity to serene nature is the most inspiring force for my creative practice.
What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself when you were starting out in art?
Never stop prioritizing your personal art practice. Take your goals seriously. Do your Artist Pages every morning. Take care of yourself. Don’t be fearful to reach out to people who inspire you.
What are you listening to in your studio at the moment?
I am obsessed with having artist interviews on in my studio while I’m creating. I love Louisiana Channel and Timestamp. As for music I have recently been listening to ‘dream pop’ like Mazzy Star, Beach House, Men I Trust. If I really need to lock in and or zen out I’m listening to 888 Hz frequencies or the album Marginalia III by Masakatsu Takagi.
A Place To Rest Art Print by Danielle Peterson
What inspired your design for this latest print design?
I made this piece in 2022 when I was traveling in my van. I loved the concept of being able to drive my bed to all the most beautiful and tranquil places to rest. I made this piece when I had just arrived in Northern/Central California and was visiting all of the dreamiest spots like Rodeo Beach, Portola Valley and Big Sur. It was late winter so calla lilies were in bloom. The figure is wandering free in this open vastness, which is very much how I felt doing van life. I guess you could say this is a self portrait of sorts, although my hair didn’t look like that then, even though it does now.
What's your favorite way to slow down?
Solitude in nature is the quick fix. If I’m coming off of lot of socializing or travel, I love a week being home at my own pace — spending my time making nourishing meals, creating art, meditating, listening to audio books on hikes, yoga and prioritizing deep sleep.
What's the most memorable book you've read in the last few years?
The Creative Act by Rick Rubin, I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman, All Fours by Miranda July and Being Mortal by Atul Gawande.
What has been the happiest/most rewarding moment of your art career?
I felt so proud of myself landed my first job out of college as a Textile Designer for the Cat & Jack brand at Target in 2020. I also felt equally as proud leaving this job 5 1/2 years later in June 2025. The day I left this job I landed my first solo show.
How does living in your city influence your work? Is there anything about your city that has defined how or what you create?
I live on a flower farm in rural Central Coast California. So my city is vastly beaches, bluffs, redwood forests and the Santa Cruz Mountains. My work is about being alive and how I feel the world. It’s a blend of my natural-world surroundings and an idyllic, dream-like universe, so naturally the work is influenced and defined by where I live. But a lot of symbols that show up in my work are directly inspired by existing around them such as; the ocean, wide open meadows, the night sky, flowers, hummingbirds, shells, rivers, palm trees, dolphins, etc.
What are you most excited/looking forward to this year?
I am so excited for my solo show, Sky Garden, happening June 20 - July 18 2026 at And Friends Space in Santa Cruz, California. Also, I am in the middle of doing The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron and I am looking forward to having more discipline and play within my art practice.
Instagram: @stripedpartyhat
Website: https://www.stripedpartyhat.com
