the brand

Modern Tropical is a design brand inspired by all things tropical, coastal, and generally summer related. Botanics, landscapes, and abstracts are the most common motifs, although I am not above illustrating my breakfast. While no medium is off limits, ink, watercolor, and digital are favorites.

Modern Tropical art and design is sold through retail partners who offer wall decor, furniture, home decor, apparel, and modern lifestyle accessories. I produce hundreds of contemporary designs and illustrations for licensing partners each year. To become a partner or suggest a collab, please contact me.

behind the scenes

Kristian Gallagher is the founder of creative brand Modern Tropical. She started drawing plants and landscapes at her grandmother’s kitchen table as soon as she was old enough to hold a marker, and has been at it ever since.

She is a Silicon Valley native and former UX Designer / Art Director. Kristian has won numerous awards for her work, including an Addy. Most recently, she won the Key West Photography Festival, Nature and Landscape Category. Her work was also selected as a winner of the Pottery Barn x Minted Walls That Wow competition. Art.com and Society6 have featured her work on their respective homepages.

A former digital nomad, Kristian is now based in Honolulu. When not in her studio, she can usually be found photographing the islands. She still travels extensively. Favorite places include the Dalmatian Coast and British Columbia. Follow her adventures on Instagram.

Check out the blog for the latest on collabs, new releases, and announcements