Meet Christina

Christina Martens is the artist and founder behind Blue Ladder, a surface pattern design studio inspired by the colors, shapes, textures, and beauty found in nature.

Christina’s love of art and creativity began in childhood and has remained a guiding thread throughout her life. After studying at Wake Forest University and Georgetown University, she found her way back to art in the years before the birth of her first son - rediscovering the joy of creating and the power of visual storytelling.

In 2016, Christina launched Blue Ladder Paper, a paper goods company featuring her hand-drawn illustrations on stationery. Through the design process, she discovered a passion for pattern and the way repeated forms could bring beauty and meaning to everyday objects.

Motherhood has become a profound source of inspiration in Christina’s creative practice. Seeing the world through her children’s eyes—their curiosity, wonder, and ability to embrace the present moment—has deepened her appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us. Her work captures this sense of discovery through thoughtful compositions, organic forms, and harmonious palettes inspired by nature.

As she continued to expand her artistic practice, Christina completed Bonnie Christine’s Surface Pattern Immersion Course in 2026, earning her Surface Pattern Design Certification.

Christina’s artwork is a personal expression of what she values most: authenticity, warmth, harmony, and intention. Through her designs, she hopes to bring moments of beauty and delight into everyday life.

Christina lives in Maryland with her husband and their three children. She finds inspiration in the beauty of the places she calls home, including summers spent in Northern Michigan, where the colors of the lake and slow rhythms of the day continue to influence her creative work.