Seasons greetings from CBC Arts (and illustrator Meghann Rader)

Meghann Rader is a licensing artist from Vancouver Island, and her charming illustrations appear on all sorts of gift-able whatsits: coffee mugs, cushions, coasters — and more Christmas cards than you could stuff down a chimney. "They're one of my favourite things to illustrate because I can incorporate a bit of story into each piece," writes Rader, who shares a bit about herself below. And as you can see, she's given the CBC gem a shot of winter whimsy. Think of it as a holiday card — from all of us to all of you.

Name: Meghann Rader

Age: 39

Homebase: Port Alberni, B.C.

Let's talk about your design! What inspired the concept?

I was so excited for the opportunity to put my own spin on the iconic CBC gem. I love Christmas and when thinking of Christmas in Canada, the first images that came to mind were of blustery snow, outdoor skating and cozy handmade toques and mittens. The gem lent itself perfectly to being flattened out into a sheet of ice for this happy skater.

What's the project you're most proud of?

There are a few that come to mind. One of the most exciting projects was being asked to be a part of the holiday collection for Canadian Tire's Canvas Designer Series a couple of years ago. It was pretty surreal to see my work on gift bags, stockings, tree skirts and pillows in my own local store. I'm also very proud of one of my very first licensing opportunities, which was with a wonderful Australian company, Bespoke Letterpress. I illustrated the Twelve Days of Christmas. Last year, those same illustrations made their way into Anthropologie as a beautiful set of soaps and hand creams. That was definitely a bucket list moment!

What's your favourite place to see art?

I don't think it's a place in particular. For me, it's more a matter of experiencing art in various ways, like talking with peers, listening to podcasts, reading blogs like The Jealous Curator and digging further into what seems interesting to me. When you live in a small town, you have to get creative about these things!

Who's the last artist you discovered online?

I'm seeing new work and artists that I love online every day, so it's hard to say. I recently stumbled upon the work of designer, artist and illustrator Anna Núñez. Aside from being incredibly talented, she has such a cohesive and inviting aesthetic to everything that she does, from her design work to her copy and photography. I find that very admirable. She treats her entire brand presence as a piece of art and it's a beautiful thing to experience.

What work of art do you wish you owned?

So many! If I had a chunk of money to spend on art right now, I would buy an original painting by Sacramento, Calif., artist Sarah Golden. I met Sarah online a few years ago, and have been so in love with her gorgeous abstract paintings ever since. She has an incredible sense of colour and ability to play with shape, scale and balance in a minimalist way. I would also not say no to owning a Helen Frankenthaler!

What's next for you? 

My recent collection of holiday greeting cards for Lagom Design has just come out and is available now on their website. I had so much fun designing these cards and am so happy with how they turned out. The gold foil and blind embossing really makes them shine!

Where can we see more from you?

My website is meghannrader.com and you can find me on Instagram.

This conversation has been edited and condensed.