I just read that there are over 1000 artists taking part in Leslie’s challenge. That’s a whole lotta art goin’ on. We are half way through.
Today’s piece is a little bit collage, a little stamping, mostly mark making with paint. Back to the love theme, hoping to create a few more pieces this month for Brad’s upcoming book, “LOVE SAYINGS”.
Unfortunately the copper does not show in the scan. You can make out a few spots against the blue borders. It really adds some oomph in person.
“I can whip these out in a couple of hours, they are so small”
These are 4 x 4 inches. I don’t have a result in mind, not trying for anything in particular, other than “pretty”. I am working on a small series to submit for publication. I’ll tell you all about that tomorrow, when I actually have something to show.
Work in progress. acrylic, canvas, 4 x 4.
The sun was already down, so horrible lighting, but still a peek, and proof that I am painting.
Just building layers, texture, pattern. Years ago I did faux finishing, well I still do at times but not that ghastly marble that was all the rage. Might use some of those tricks here though.
I am known among my family and friends, for having this weird gift. They can bring me any piece of furniture, and I can tell them exactly what they need to do to match it. Colors, technique, products, tools. Say they found an expensive night stand, and they want to DIY it on the cheap. In fact this month I will be painting a bathroom cabinet to match a shabby chic piece. I’ll show you when it is done!
I don’t feel right posting this to Leslie‘s blog, I think I will wait and post the finished pieces.
Whew! I did it. All three of the final assignments are posted. Hallelujah AMEN! I spent all day yesterday thinking I still had a piece to do for the advanced assignment. Which meant a late, late night. I was done, and didn’t even know it.
I am starting my painting for today this afternoon, so tomorrow I will post two paintings for Leslie’s challenge.
Make It In Design Summer School – Final Assignments
To revisit the first and second assignments just click on the links. I’d really love to hear what you think.
Make It In Design is a collaboration between internationally acclaimed surface pattern designer Rachael Taylor and award-winning entrepreneur Beth Kempton (formerly Nicholls!), founder of Do What You Love. They are based in the UK. All courses are delivered online and are accessible from anywhere in the world. They also publish MOYO magazine, the world’s first online magazine dedicated to surface pattern design.
Everyone submitting work for all three creative briefs in their track (Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced) will be entered into a draw to win a free place on The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design. We also have the opportunity to be featured in their Look Book, which will be shared with their industry-wide network later this year.
I so admire the work these women are producing.
Beginner Track Brief 3
Each brief is five to eight pages of inspiration and direction. We are left to our own interpretation of the theme. The megatrend, or over riding influence, for all three assignments was Dissonance. The final theme for brief 3 was Jewels. We were not assigned a palette, though one was suggested. I chose colors from the Advanced palette, to use for all three assignments with the intention of creating a mini collection, designs that would work together.
I wanted to create an abstract, graphic design. My take on diamonds. This was created entirely on the computer. Some of the key words they supplied: hard, simple, clean, decadent, sophisticated. I will be adding links once I have added these to my shops. You can click on the image to see a larger version.
The theme here was Feathers, I did use variations of two of the assigned palette colors. The gold and blue. Key words supplied included: feathers, quills, wings, smooth, soft, dreamy. I wanted to use sharp edges, to coordinate with the Jewels piece. Again, abstracted shapes. I painted these in watercolor and added digital details, you can see more of the process here.
I started in another direction… but it just didn’t take flight. I didn’t realize until I had just about finished though, that it would not have impact. These feathers were painted in watercolor, and the lines were added digitally. I just decided that it was a bit on the kindergarten level, and I was aiming higher. Still, these feathers may find their way into something else, never know.
We were also assigned a mock up, and this is the one I turned in. (Below)
Our assignment was Intricate Chaos. Among the key words: intricate, paper-cut, detailed, stained glass. I did not cut loose on this, not sure I got the chaotic dissonance aspect. But I love this design. It turned out exactly as I had envisioned. My artist friends will know that doesn’t often happen.
The design above I had first thought of as a secondary design, smaller scale to coordinate with the design below. But once I had completed this, I realized – DUH – Intricate!!! So I ditched my intended and non-existent advanced design idea. I will create it at a later time, to go along with all of these.
Click on the image to see details. The feathers were painted in watercolor. Then I scanned them into the computer and manipulated them in Photoshop. I cleaned up the edges, but I did leave some rough and wobbly bits. Not too perfect.
There are only five shapes, but I used some in reverse, or mirror image, to give more variance. The circles and lines, are really just one digital design, I made it a little larger than the feather shapes, so I could place it differently on each feather. I wanted them to all relate, but not be the same. Once I saw the white on the bright feathers, WOOO WHOOOO!
I wanted white to be a major player in each of these designs. Crisp and clean. I don’t usually lean towards red, but this color combo was just calling me. The colors in all three are actually off just a bit, so they don’t work as a collection. But I can go in and digitally alter them to coordinate. I created this simple toss as well….so that is five patterns in 7 days. (whoa)
I loved taking part in this challenge, oh and it was challenging. I am really happy with six of the nine designs, not a bad average. These designs will be available at Spoonflower as fabrics, wall paper, gift wrap and decals. Also I will put them on products in my Zazzle shop.
Thanks for taking a look, and following me on this journey. As always, I would love to hear your thoughts, comments are always welcome!
