Inspiration is easy when you find it right in your backyard! I took this photo of flowers, cut out the image and filled the entire pattern with geraniums! This may be pushing the monotone theme, here, but the beautiful shades of pink seem lively, but restful at the same time. I think using actual images of the flower brings a modern, graphic feel to this pattern. I would love to make a pillow with this, backed in luxurious silk and beaded. Very feminine!
This pattern was drawn in Illlustrator. I was inspired by texture of twigs lying in a very geometric pattern on the ground. I chose a light background and used the blob tool to give the "twigs" a light airy shape. To do the repeat, I manually stacked the groups together in order to give it a more natural appearance. This pattern was a quick one... 20 minutes on this, too. Busy nights don't allow me to spend too much time, but I am learning new techniques already, in this short time! Wouldn't this be cool in a big stretched frame as wall art?
I have the opportunity to do a fabulous project. I am going to name it Pattern Everyday. I had originally been craving to do a 365 project, but was a little intimidated by the enormity of such a venture. Lucky for me, my current class, Developmental Psychology has a 20% Project in which I have to work on a personal project during the month of May. What a great opportunity!
Pattern Everyday will be as simple (and challenging) as it sounds. I will create one pattern in repeat everyday, and I will choose one basic pattern or design type each week to further practice skill within a more defined aspect. I will use only nature as my inspiration and muse. I will be able to use a variety of medium to accomplish this creative goal. I have conquered Illustrator for the most part, but would like to eventually conquer Photoshop by the end of this project. I have accomplished basic geometric designs and basic shapes. I would like to increase my complexity, color palette, and efficiency. In order to better rate my progress, I will develop a rating system as well as document the time it takes me to go from design idea sketch to final result. I will be monitoring my skill in preparing the pattern more than the artistic style of the result in order to be able to track progress more accurately. I do not aim to make collections to enable me to completely let my creative juices flow without too many restrictions.
I will document my progress by posting my photos on my blog daily. I will spread the word of my blog postings to my fellow classmates and friends to gather critiques. I will ask for critiques to focus on 4 topics: color palette, texture, shape/form, and skill of repeat. I will begin with monotones, then move to stripes (within nature), patterned ground, and finally damask. I will also aim to produce a slide show of my progress for the finale of the project.
