Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanan Campanaro.
Shanan, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I moved to New York after I got my art degree at Central St. Martins in London to try and make it as an artist in 2003. My friends and I would throw these big group art shows where we auctioned off all the work for environmental or animal rescue charities and I was playing around with extending my artworks by applying patterns made from the artworks to the walls behind the art. The printer I was working with showed me some new digital technology and wallpapers you could print on and suggested I try making wallpaper with these patterns. A few years later after having installed a hime made wallpaper in my apartment I started Eskayel as a custom wallpaper company with patterns created from my paintings in 2008. 16 years later we have a cult following in the interior design work and create wallpaper, fabrics, pillows and rugs. My husband and I work together and this year we moved back to San Diego. WE are working on opening a new creative space in downtown Encinitas in addition to our Brooklyn showroom.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think it’s been a mellow road with some hiccups but that is because we always grew at our own pace and never tried to be huge. Covid was a little crazy because just as I was experiencing a bit of burnout in running a company our sales and employees doubled. Thankfully the contraction in sales that happened in 2023 has allowed us to go back to a smaller team but remain more profitable.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I think I am most know for my original artwork and my color sense. Our wallpapers and fabrics and rugs are all inspired by places we have traveled and the idea is to invoke the fearing of being somewhere beautiful inside the home.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Sometimes the best mentors find you. Just being open and not searching to hard. Know what you want and let it find you. knowing what you want is really the hardest part actually.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.eskayel.com
- Instagram: @eskayel
Image Credits
Image credits are Eskayel – but the portrait of Nick and I is credited to Tom Rauner
