Marianna Kulukundis is a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design and Central St Martins. After graduating from RISD, she deviated from her fine arts background and began a career as an actress and producer. However, a chance request to design a friend's wedding invitation brought her back to her love of painting and drawing. Emboldened by the many illustration requests that followed, she launched her illustration career. Greek born and raised in London, she has called New York City home for many years. Her travels and multi-city upbringing has greatly influenced her aesthetic. You will find smatterings of Britishness and plenty of Greek motifs throughout her work. Her use of the Greek symbol of luck and protection, the Evil Eye, has adorned anything from pebbles to fabric, wallpapers, and homewares. Marianna trained as a fine artist, and her work incorporates many disciplines, from painting to surface pattern, illustration, and design. She is known for her colorful, whimsical style. Her artwork has adorned anything from fabric and homeware to a London taxi. Her first ceramic plate designs were created for an event to benefit animal conservation hosted by the then HRH Prince of Wales. It was a thrill to see her Leopard's at Play pattern on a London taxi to celebrate the launch of the book Arabian Leopard, Treasures of AlUla by Assouline. The leopards can also be spotted frolicking on the book's end pages.