Hi there, I’m CassandraI’m an artist and surface pattern designer based in Kalispell, Montana, just outside Glacier National Park. I create detailed, story-driven artwork for fabric and surface applications, rooted in place, memory, and the natural world — with a quiet sense of magic woven in.
How I Got Here
Before surface pattern design, I spent ten years working as an interior designer. Over time, I felt my connection to the art thinning — the work was beautiful, but something essential was missing. As I became a mother, that feeling grew louder. I wanted a creative practice that supported my mental health, kept me close to my children while they’re still young, and gave me room to make work that felt alive again.
Choosing this path wasn’t about stepping away from design — it was about coming home to it.
My Work + What I Create
My work lives in the space between realism and suggestion — detailed, emotional, and quietly magical. I don’t lean into fantasy, but I leave room for wonder. I’m drawn to moments that feel familiar yet charged: a forest at dusk, a wildflower bending in wind, the hush of a place that holds memory.
My collections are deeply rooted in place. The landscape I live in — the mountains, forests, and open sky — shapes everything I make, often without me realizing it at first.
My Process!
The BEST part! My process is deeply analog. Most collections begin with pencil, paper, tracing paper, and well-worn sketchbooks. I layer marks slowly, letting ideas take shape by hand before bringing them into Procreate and Adobe Illustrator, where the work is refined and assembled for production.
Music plays a huge role in how my collections come together — albums, lyrics, and energy often guide the rhythm of a design just as much as the visuals do. Place, memory, and lived experience are the backbone of my work. These collections aren’t styled — they’re lived.
Influences
My influences are wide and sometimes unexpected. Early Disney films like Sleeping Beauty, folk art (both modern and traditional), woodblock prints, and illustrated stories like Beatrix Potter and Winnie the Pooh have all left their mark. Loré Pemberton a personal favorite. I’m inspired by album covers that make you feel something — art that’s intricate, imperfect, and a little gritty.
I admire work that moves me, shakes me, or lingers long after I’ve seen it. I love detail, but I leave room for breath.
Community & Experience
Community matters deeply to me. I love teaching, sharing process, and encouraging others to trust their creative instincts. I’ve taught analog pattern-making workshops, spoken with quilt guilds, and supported fellow artists through creative education and mentorship.
I’ve been honored to collaborate with and support the Surface Pattern Design Immersion community, and to be featured in Bonnie Christine’s Success Stories, alumni roundtables, and Immersion Live conference. Being selected as the Northwest featured designer for Windham Fabrics’ Shop Hop has been one of the most meaningful milestones of my career so far.
Outside the “Studio”
When I’m not drawing, you’ll find me training jiu-jitsu, trail running, hiking, or under the stars with my family — who are truly my best friends. Community, friendship, and time spent outdoors ground me just as much as making art does.
I believe art is a way of sharing energy and story — of inviting others into the places and moments that light us up.
I’m currently open to licensing, commissions, and thoughtful creative collaborations across fabric and surface design. If my work feels like a good fit for your project, I’d love to hear from you.
Work With Me:Windham Fabrics | Northwest Shop Hop
April 2027
Oregon • Idaho • Washington
Cassandra Zaniboni is honored to serve as the featured Windham Fabrics designer for the 2027 Northwest Shop Hop.
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Licensing & Collaboration
I license original artwork and surface pattern designs for fabric and a wide range of surface applications.
My work is well-suited for:
Fabric & textiles
Quilting & sewing goods
Home décor & wallpaper
Paper goods & stationery
Thoughtfully made lifestyle products
Collections are developed with production in mind and can be adapted for color, scale, and substrate as needed.
Currently accepting select licensing and collaboration inquiries.
If you’re a brand, art director, or creative team interested in working together, I’d love to hear more about your project.