Helen's happiest kindergarten memory is enthusiastically coloring geometric patterns. Growing up she was inspired by Alexander Calder's mobiles, French filmmaker Jean Painlevé's underwater films, and photos by pioneer photographer Étienne-Jules Marey. Today, Helen's talent with color, texture, and interiors is seen in commercial catalogs (Pottery Barn, Target, Roost) as well as textiles she designed for Maharam, Q Collection, Nike, and paint lines for Martha Stewart. Helen has a BFA from RISD and an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art. One of her goals is to design the window displays at Tiffany's.

Question and Answer with Helen Quinn:

Favorite objects when young: European illuminated manuscripts, especially ones with gold leaf.

Trend you disliked: I couldn't wait for the 80's to be over. I didn't like the fashion or the hair.

Color you favored: No favorite as a child; currently I like hot pink/persimmon

On the nightstand: Heirloom vegetable seed catalogs for the garden, Agaat, a South African novel, and The Family Fang

Motto: Eat as much as you can (since I am always hungry)