Rebecca Berenson describes herself as an incessant doodler. Her style of repetitive
patterns, infused with vivid color combinations was noticed by an
art director friend, who informed Rebecca that her distinctive drawing
process was called “textile design” and encouraged her
to pursue a representative. Berenson followed suit by making her first
appointment to show her work. Rebecca walked in with her doodles and
fifteen minutes later walked out with an exclusive contract to create
textile patterns.
The fervor to draw had always been a means to combat the stress
of the daily grind for Rebecca, but work and life in New York City
took on a new energy and Berenson embraced it. She explored shapes
and forms and began focusing on the form of a fish. On a creative
whim, she gave her fish vertical orientation, and in an instant,
what would become the “so-fishticated” Wynona Urban
Fish™ had emerged.
Wynona Urban Fish™ with
her unique “fishical” human features, fanciful spirit,
and trendy mode of style was soon in demand, but Berenson wasn’t
prepared to pursue the suggestion by many that she bring her character
from her shoebox-sized studio apartment to the big stage. “I
had a full-time job that consumed much of my time and I wasn’t
ready to let go of the security it provided” Rebecca said.
Then in 2004 Rebecca’s mother Cecile lost her battle with
ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and Rebecca, who was her mother’s
primary caregiver, formed a different opinion of the daily grind and
the security it provided. Like many who have endured a life-changing
experience, Berenson was eager to make her life and work more fulfilling.
“I was no longer afraid to pursue the creative career I had
long avoided” Rebecca said.
A Web site for Berenson’s new venture, Urban Fish Design™
was created, and in late 2007, to the delight of many Wynona Urban
Fish™ fans, a line of
note cards was produced. on
Rebecca’s website and in retail stores throughout the Boston
area. Ten percent of all note card sales are donated by Berenson
to charities that support ALS research.
Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Columbia University.
Her fifteen years spent living in New York City served as a richly
inspiring backdrop to fuel this creative journey that would ultimately
spawn her delightfully fishy fashionista, Wynona Urban Fish™.
Berenson currently resides in Somerville, MA.
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