happy vintage

I took some time recently to put together a few coordinating patterns based on my submission to Lilla Rogers Global Talent Search competition (more visuals and info on that to come!!). A number of my fellow semifinalists had been putting together pieces using some of the icons they used on their fall tote bag design, so I thought I would try to do the same. I wouldn't say this looks anything like what I ended up submitting other than the vintage vibe, but I had fun doing it.

I decided to try to focus the main pattern on the apple dude, but thought he would benefit from a little girlfriend ;) I had a retro tea towel idea when I started, but I think it ended up looking rather like vintage wallpaper. I do have a collection of old tablecloths from the 50's and they have a great deal of fruit art on them. It was a different look for me, pattern-wise, since my usual approach is to piece together my elements like a big puzzle... much like what I did in the lower left coordinate.

expanding on themes

I'm continuing to try and expand my surface design work by expanding on themes and creating groups of coordinating pieces. I really enjoy this part of patterns...the long, tedious part of drawing the icons is done, and then I can just play around with the elements, try out colors (always my favorite part) and piece it all together. It's all kind of like a puzzle. I do enjoy coming up with the icons and sketching it all out, it's just that "in-between" phase when I translate my sketches int vectors that sometimes just flat out numbs my brain cells. Hope you enjoy seeing them!

ok, so maybe it's not really springtime...

...but is there ever a bad time to use bunnies? Actually, I had done this bunny pattern a while back, but after Lilla Rogers class, I realized the value of having "collections" of designs, particularly when it comes to bolt fabric. So, I decided to put fall on the back burner and did a couple coordinates for the little guys... appropriately named "too many bunnies." 

my first plate collection!

This past week, I took a little trip to check out "Marmalade,: a cool boutique in Watertown, MA that Lilla had taken us on a virtual tour of back in the gift market week. I discovered the most beautiful plates ever! Made by a Dutch design firm, Pipp Studio, the packaging is as beautiful as the plates... and the plates are stunningly sweet!

In looking at my portfolio, I've noticed that I have a lot of individual pieces, so I thought it was a good time to try to make a collection of sorts. I really enjoyed the ceramic plate assignment from Lilla Rogers Make Art that Sells course, so this seemed like a great opportunity to expand on a theme and the Pipp plates really got me thinking. At the time, I submitted for review the design on the bottom right, but I always kinda regretted that I didn't go with my first attempt on the lower left. I just liked the idea of a bird with an umbrella! Although I didn't really think so at the time, the 2 versions seemed to go together despite the obvious differences.I thought I could design some coordinating plates to go along with the original two. Which one do you like best? :) 

guess what I've been doing today...

..the tell tale signs of penciling all day. Never pretty! I've been working on the second brief for Lilla Roger's Global Talent Search. The topic is a fall/nature themed tote bag. At this point, I have lots of different ideas that I have been trying to meld into one and I'm not sure if it's working or if it is just too much. I'm afraid that in trying to put a lot into it, which is what Lilla is always preaching to do, I may just have a giant hodgepodge of busyness. I think I am going to just scan in the individual elements, do my tedious vector redraw and play with it. Hopefully, the "magic" of vector will help simplify the layout as needed?! I know I just want to move ahead with it and see what I have and where I'm going. Wish me luck! .... going to wash my hands ;)

WAHOO!!!!!!

I guess I should go out and buy a lottery ticket for the first time ever, since today is most definitely my lucky day! I made the cut from a pool of over 1500 entries in Lilla Rogers global talent search. I am honored, amazed, shocked, and more than anything else, truly humbled as there were so many super great entries that I saw. Didn't see this one coming!

Now, on to the next stage...eeeks!