When illustrator and Studio Paperpattern founder Danielle Cassells was invited to paint one of the giant Scottie dog sculptures for this year’s Scotties in the City trail, it felt like a real milestone.
By Jade Hughes
The commission sees decorated sculptures displayed across Glasgow in aid of Maggie’s, marking an exciting chapter for a business that has grown from kitchen-table workshops into a thriving creative venture offering children’s art classes, bespoke illustration commissions and community events in the West End.
But for Danielle, Studio Paperpattern wasn’t born overnight. It was the result of years spent wondering whether she should take the leap back into the creative world.
‘I was always making and creating in my spare time,’ she says. ‘It took a few life moments to make me take the plunge and adopt the ‘you only live once’ attitude.’
After studying Printed Textiles at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design in Dundee, Danielle began her career as a digital colourist, working on textile collections ranging from Liberty London fabrics to military camouflage.
‘There was something missing from sitting behind a computer all day and, to be really honest, it was all having a negative impact on my day-to-day life.’
Studio Paperpattern
Determined to reconnect with her passion, Danielle began planning what would become Studio Paperpattern. ‘The idea of creating welcoming, imaginative spaces where children could experiment, make a mess, try new things and feel proud of what they create really appealed to me.’
Like many small businesses, getting started meant juggling countless responsibilities. Danielle found herself designing sessions, sourcing materials, building a website, marketing classes and managing the administration, often learning as she went.
‘A lot of trial and error, plenty of learning on the job, and wearing every hat imaginable,’ she laughs.
But swapping corporate life for self-employment wasn’t easy. ‘Leaving behind a stable and successful career can understandably feel quite daunting,’ she says. ‘There were lots of moments where I wondered if I was doing the right thing, but each workshop, every commission and every returning family helped build confidence that I was on the right track.’
Those returning families have become one of the clearest signs that Studio Paperpattern is striking a chord. What began as trial art workshops around Danielle’s own kitchen table with her children and a handful of friends has evolved into regular after-school classes in Anniesland and Woodlands, birthday workshops, community events and even a children’s art exhibition.
Re-use and Create
Her workshops run in four-week blocks and encourage pupils to experiment with painting, collage, sculpture, recycled materials and mixed media. Rather than focusing on producing perfect artwork, Danielle encourages curiosity, imagination and confidence.
Recycling plays a central role in Danielle’s sessions, showing children that creativity doesn’t require expensive materials or specialist equipment. ‘I want them to go away knowing they can create something from the box they poured their cereal from that morning – keep it simple and achievable.’
That philosophy extends beyond the workshops themselves. Earlier this year Danielle organised Studio Paperpattern’s first children’s exhibition after the young artists repeatedly suggested holding their own show.
‘The children were so proud, and it was wonderful to see families viewing the exhibition and celebrating their achievements together.’
Parents have embraced the classes, too. Many children return term after term, with families telling her they’ve seen growing confidence, increased creativity and a willingness to try new things. ‘Those comments mean a lot because they’re exactly what I hope the workshops can offer.’
Illustration
Alongside teaching, Danielle continues to build the illustration side of Studio Paperpattern, producing bespoke house portraits, family illustrations, wedding stationery and artwork celebrating special places and memories. She enjoys the variety that running her own business brings.
‘One day I might be planning a children’s workshop, the next I could be working on an illustration commission or painting a giant Scottie dog sculpture. No two days are ever quite the same.’
Looking ahead, Danielle hopes to expand Studio Paperpattern even further, reaching more communities across Glasgow while continuing to grow her illustration work. One long-term ambition is to create a dedicated hub – or perhaps even a travelling art van – where classes, exhibitions and community projects can flourish.
Above all, she wants creativity to feel accessible. ‘You don’t have to be ‘good at art’ to enjoy making things,’ she says. ‘Studio Paperpattern is about curiosity, experimentation and finding joy in the process. If children leave a workshop feeling more confident, inspired and proud of their ideas, then I feel I’ve done my job.’
For a business that began with little more than an idea and the courage to embrace it, that’s already proving to be a pretty colourful success story.
Find out more about Studio Paperpattern’s upcoming workshops and events: studiopaperpattern.com
or follow @studiopaperpattern on Instagram.
