Monday 9 April 2012

Surface Pattern: Can you help me decide - which colourway works for you?

 





To family, friends, pattern people, peers and followers

Above is the pattern motif I have been working on this morning. The motif is loosely based on a flower that was in a bunch that my Mum bought for me at the weekend. I have no idea what kind of flower it is so I have created my own take on it and I'm really happy with the result. The resulting pattern is really just a repeat of the motif as I wanted something bold.

I was inspired to create this design after seeing a skirt I liked yesterday. The colours were mustard, white and grey but the motif was uninspiring and the skirt was very expensive. So I decided to create my own pattern today and I will then be using Spoonflower to create my own fabric and sew my own skirt :o) I've been itching for years to make my own clothes as being petite nothing ever fits correctly and I like the idea of wearing my art.

I thought it would be a fun exercise to share this work in progress with you - would you like to help me? I have created x4 versions of the design above. The same, grey, slate, mustard and white colourways feature across the designs but I just can't decide which tones work best. If you like this pattern and have an opinion on which version works best please reply with either top-left, top-right, bottom-left or bottom-right on here, twitter of facebook

If you would like to start creating your own patterns and are not sure where to start, consider registering on the "Art & Business of Surface Pattern Design"  e-course as I did. If you're lucky you might even win a free scholarship if you sign up on the Print and Pattern Blog.

Thank you :o)

Monday 2 April 2012

I've just turned 30 and Pattern4 has appeared on my wall!

Hello!

Two things to tell you about this week. Firstly I turned 30 today which I was absolutely dreading because it seems to have just suddenly crept up on me. However I have had such an amazing weekend, starting with Simon's birthday on Friday, a visit from our friends on Saturday (which included a speedboat ride) a chilled day and Sunday and a lovely breakfast and trip out today. I also received some really lovely and thoughtful gifts from my family and friends. To let you into a little secret I also had an afternoon nap today as well so perhaps this getting old lark isn't too bad after all!

If you read my blog last week you'll also know that I'm going part-time at my current job from this week so that I can finally focus on my design career. I am so excited about this and turning 30 definitely gave me the push I needed to finally forge a career for myself. I need to feel proud of what I do for a living.

Secondly, just over a week ago I made a rash decision to paint a design on one of our living room walls. I still had the lovely ash and mustard tester pots left over from last year when we were deciding what colours to paint the living room. I had really wanted these colours as they are quite bold. Simon was worried they might be a little dark and I think he was right as that room doesn't get much light. However they work perfectly as accent colours- if i say so myself. Take a look at the pictures below and see what you think. The idea came from a pattern I created recently and I just drew very loosely,  free-hand onto the wall and then painted over the lines. I'm really pleased with the result and I now have lots of ideas for all of our other rooms :o)