PEOPLE | APRIL 2026
Exclusive! Behind the Scenes of 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 are our selections for the 2026 Artist Series and an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how their works came together.
From studying at art school to hands-on learning in countries across the globe, iconic textile artist John Robshaw’s love for color, craftsmanship, and artistic tradition shines through his work. Renowned for his bold block-printed textiles, his passion for the technique bloomed after witnessing local artisans and printmakers during trips through Asia, including India, Indonesia, and Thailand. Now, his own brand of luxury bedding and textiles, John Robshaw Textiles, features vibrant colors and intricate block-printed patterns.
“Block printing is its own art. It’s all about movement—the hand and the fabric come alive in the process. Once you witness the artistry of hand-blocked fabric, there’s no turning back,” he says. “I embrace every imperfection; they reveal the story and add character and charm to each piece.”
For his Artist Series work with Tommy Bahama, he began by revisiting his personal journals from trips to the Maldives, Bali, and Thailand, seeking inspiration for new sketches. Drawing from his experience working with copper batik stamps in Java, he started with a traditional block print and then played with the flow and color palette.
Grounded by the cool, blue repeating block print, vivid pops of orange bring a sense of life and play to the piece, evoking the essence of the islands: the steady rhythm of the waves with the vibrancy of the flowers, the trees, and the culture.
“My goal was to infuse this line with an island aesthetic, that flowing rhythm of dancing flowers,” John says. “I sought to capture that quintessential Bali vibe and bring a touch of its spirit into this print.”
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 creating a perfect repeating 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 watercolor 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.
For emerging artist Melissa Richardson, the belief that anything is possible is essential to art. The daughter of an illustrator, Melissa learned a lot about the artistic process from her mom, and so from an early age, creativity took root. From painting to sewing to sculpting and beyond, her work spans a broad spectrum of mediums and experiences.
As a young teenager, Melissa had already begun creating freelance artwork for a handful of clients. In high school, she and her mom started a textile design business together. But it wasn’t until later, while studying abroad in France, that the love of travel—and travel illustration—set in.
“Everywhere I go, I paint and self-publish a book. I call it my ‘Woman on a Mission’ travel series, and it includes all the art that I create in different places,” she says. From studying in France to receiving her diving certification in Costa Rica to interning in New York City, she documents it all through her art.
For her Artist Series piece, Melissa was on the coast of the Mediterranean and drew inspiration from the world around her. Using acrylic gouache paints, she let her artistic instincts lead the way.
“I’m very much an artist who just ‘goes for it.’ I’ve been told I’m fearless because I never use a pencil; I just go right into whatever I’m making with pens or paints.”
Drenched in a kaleidoscope of color, the dreamy scene comes alive with movement and texture through visible brushstrokes. Between the forever-flowing waves and the rolling hills, look closely, and you’ll notice a village tucked into the mountains.
“The village is my favorite part,” she says. “I hope this piece can inspire people to let go and remind them that nothing is impossible.” After all, daydreams are only daydreams until you make them a reality.
Original Art, Forever Yours
A creative love letter to all facets of island living, the 2026 Artist Series has something for everyone, whatever your style. Explore the full collection and find a piece to call your very own.
