The 2026 Artist Series

We’ve always believed that artistry is what sets a Tommy Bahama piece apart from the rest. From our signature tropical prints to our embroidered panelbacks, it’s at the core of who we are and what we do, always. But once a year, we hand-select artists to create custom artwork for Tommy Bahama as part of our Artist Series.

Here is the first piece of our 2026 Artist Series with an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how it came together.

Sapphire Shores by Megan Kretchmer

For Tommy Bahama artist Megan Kretchmer, landing a job that combines her love of fashion and art was always meant to be.

“I developed a passion for art and sewing from a young age. My mom and I would go to fabric stores, and I was always captivated by the vibrant world of fabrics and patterns,” Megan says.

From fashion school to her career with Tommy Bahama (spanning seven years—and counting!), Megan’s appreciation for craftsmanship and her drive to create have underscored it all. Day to day, as head of our in-house art department, she creates the beautiful, tropical prints you know and love.

“Each print is its own puzzle to solve. You have to trust yourself through the art-making process—from figuring out how best to approach the art to working to create a perfect repeat print that has a nice flow and balance.”

For her Artist Series piece, Megan looked to the shores of Hawaii for inspiration. Wielding a large flat brush, she used watercolors to create the serene blue waves of the background. The use of watercolor allows for a striking variation in shading, mirroring the depth of shades in flowing water. For the floral print, Megan utilized traditional tropical motifs and hand-painted the design over the background.

“I’m a nature lover, and the ocean is my favorite place. I love the endless motion and the calming sense of the waves. I wanted to portray that beauty in this piece.”

With its watercolor waves and bold botanicals, this print encapsulates what Tommy Bahama artistry is all about.

Shop Sapphire Shores

Stay tuned for the rest of the 2026 Artist Series collection.