Sweet Dreams with Lavender Potion
Dream pillows are all the rage. Meet Madeline Cortopassi, the creative visionary behind the plush dream realm that is Lavender Potion.
Tell us about your dream pillows — what are they, and how are they meant to be used?
A dream pillow is a pillow filled with calming herbs. Historically, dream pillows were used in sick houses to tend to a variety of illnesses. They have also been used to ward off evil spirits and induce vivid dreams. I like to experiment with different herbs to put in my dream pillows, but I always start with a lavender base. Other herbs that I use interchangeably are mugwort, rose, rosemary, and lemon balm.
You can put your dream pillow on your bed so you can sleep with it, or you can put it on display if you just want to admire it. You can use it in whatever way feels right for you. I sleep with my dream pillow every night. It helps me fall asleep and gives me sweet (sometimes crazy) dreams.
What attracted you to working with pillows?
When I was very young, my mom and my sister and I would sew little pillows to give as gifts. They were very small, about the size of my hand, and square-shaped. A little over a year ago I had the idea of making more dream pillows to give as gifts to my loved ones, and I knew I wanted to make them much larger so that they could be held and hugged. I also wanted to make each dream pillow a work of art. That way, each dream pillow would be the perfect blend of beauty and functionality.
Your work is otherworldly, evoking a fantasy realm. Is your art meant to be transcendental in that way?
Yes. From the herbs to the fabric that I use, my pillows are meant to be a sort of dreamy escape from reality. Sometimes after a long, stressful day I like to lay in my bed, clutch my dream pillow, and breathe it in. The scent of the herbs alone transports me to a different place. My hope is that those who buy dream pillows from me can feel the same way with their pillow.
I also incorporate fantastical themes into the other mediums that I work with, like drawing and digital art. I’m not just a realist when it comes to creating art. I love to make up my own creatures and set them in an otherworldly space that is so alluring that you're tempted to stick your hand in there and feel it.
How do you enter a headspace appropriate for creating such soft, dreamy objects?
I work best during the nighttime. Most of the time I work in silence. If I do listen to something while I work, it’s a podcast or playlist of nature sounds. I also need something to sip on — sometimes wine and sometimes tea.
Butterflies are a common motif throughout your body of work. What is the significance of this symbol?
I like butterflies because they are beautiful and intriguing. Butterflies can symbolize many different things, and to each person they mean something different. Whenever I spot a butterfly it’s always a special moment, and I feel like a lot of people feel the same way when they see a butterfly. Another reason I create so many butterflies is that I have a fascination with insect wings. I like to depict all sorts of winged creatures in my art, whether they are made up or real.
What advice do you have for budding creatives?
Many, if not all, of us struggle with creative perfectionism. Sometimes it eats me up to the point where I just won’t create anything at all for a while. All I can say is that it is easier to not create art and live in your head thinking about how you would be better if your art looked a certain way. You will find your answers if you just create. Be patient, and more importantly, be kind to yourself.
What’s next for you and lavender potion?
A far-off dream of mine is to learn how to grow my own herbs for my dream pillows so I can shorten my supply chain. In a closer reality, I am graduating from college in a few months, so I hope to start spending more time creating so that I can have a consistent flow of dream pillows for people to choose from. Additionally, some wearable creations are in the very early stages of production.
Originally published February 22, 2021
