Pattern a Day December Round Up!

January 13, 2013 by anika | 12 Comments

What a whirlwind December was! It was a busy month, but in the end, I was surprised by how easy it was to make a pattern everyday. And I wasn’t the only one! A bunch of other awesome creatives joined in and contributed a huge variety of colorful patterns to the mix. I thought it would be fun to share a few patterns from group that came together in December.

Sarah Rowe shared a beautiful variety of textures and colors using watercolor, marker, and even some collage!

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Minerva wins the award for the cutest patterns! Aren’t they adorable?

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Julie Tillman contributed a variety of styles of patterns in December. I love the donuts!

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Natalie Davies delivered some awesome bright colors and fun patterns. I also love that she shared the markers and pens she used for each pattern in her photos!

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Tammy from Daisy Yellow was an enthusiastic participant in the pattern challenge, using watercolor for her patterns.

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Tricia from Daring Hue gave the challenge a second try in December, and this time she made one every day!

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Barbara Wanhill’s patterns were all inspired from events that happened during her day.

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Jeannine Saylor drew, stamped, and painted her nature inspired patterns.

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Carin Cullen created layers of texture as well as pattern.

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Rachel Kinbar had a really unique approach to pattern making, and it was always fun to see what she shared.

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Carlene Taylor Simmons drew some awesome patterns with marker and pen.

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Connie Hozvicka from Dirty Footprints Studio drew a few mandala style patterns.

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D. Schuyler created colorful, geometric patterns, among others.

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Rachel from Staunch Studio created a daily pattern on her iPad!

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Becky Canham went with a holiday theme for the month of December, which really helped me to get into the holiday spirit!

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I hadn’t planned for it to become a group project, but I’m happy it did! When I started creating daily patterns, it was something I did on my own as a way to get me doing what I love every day. Little by little it has caught on, and it’s exciting to see so many beautiful patterns everyday, especially in December since I chose to do only black and white patterns.

If you’re on instagram, check out the #patternadaydec tag to see even more awesome patterns from last month, and #patternadayjan to see this month’s ongoing daily patterns. There is also a Pattern a Day group on flickr where you can see even more patterns!

Change in Plans for Pattern a Day January

January 3, 2013 by anika | 5 Comments

In my last post I wrote that I planned to create my January patterns using watercolor backgrounds with paint marker details. For some reason, once it got down to it, I wasn’t really feeling the watercolor. Maybe I just needed more of a change from using water based media last month. When I saw that Tricia from Daring Hue was doing hand carved stamps this month, it seemed like too much of a coincidence since it’s one of the ideas I’d initially considered for January.

When I saw Tricia’s first January pattern, I mentioned that I’d been thinking about doing block prints too, and Tricia encouraged me, so I dug out the block printing supplies I bought a while ago. I only have one block and 2 colors of ink, but I made the most of what I had to get me started.

I cut a 2×2 inch piece off the block and cut that into 3 triangles, then carved some detail lines on the two smaller triangles.

I used these to create my first 2 patterns for January today.

I had to play catch up today because Otto gave me a scare on the 1st, and I spent the evening at the emergency vet instead of at home making patterns. I’m happy to say that he is doing very well now. His back was out which was causing him a lot of pain. He got some pain meds from the vet, and after a visit to the chiropractor today, he should be good as new. Phew!

Let’s Make Patterns in January!

January 1, 2013 by anika | 5 Comments

A new month in a new year is upon us, and I will be doing another month of daily patterns!

Last month my friend Tricia from Daring Hue created watercolor backgrounds and added patterns to the color. I really loved the idea and how the patterns turned out, so this month I’m taking inspiration from her and will be creating a watercolor background everyday and then adding a pattern to the page with white, grey, and/or black acrylic marker.

I would love for you to join me and create your own pattern everyday. You can use any media at any size you want. Feel tree to tailor this challenge to suit you, your schedule, and what you want to accomplish. There are very few set in stone rules, besides the obvious: make patterns. Even if you can’t get a pattern done every single day, I’d love to have you join the fun when you can!

If you’ll be playing along, be sure to tag your patterns on instagram and twitter with #letsmakepatterns and/or #patternadayjan!

There is also a flickr group now, so if you post photos over there, please add your photos to the pool!

Starting the year off with lots of patterns seems like a good start for 2013. I hope to see daily patterns from you too!

Pattern a Day November

December 20, 2012 by anika | 8 Comments

It’s close to the end of December, and I’m just now getting around to posting about all the patterns I created in November. I thought this might happen since I was planning a big road trip from Arizona, back home to Maryland earlier in December.

I’ve been back home for about a week by now, but I’ve been down and out for the count with the flu. I’m always amazed that being sick makes it so much harder to accomplish anything, but that’s the way it goes. I’ve been taking it easy, despite all the ideas that are wanting to be pursued. I thought updating the blog would be a good task to ease me back into a normal schedule, but then I thought about how I haven’t scanned the patterns from November, and I really should do that before I start writing anything.

But I didn’t feel like scanning anything, so I was conflicted about what to do. Then I thought about it, and realized that I don’t really HAVE TO scan in the patterns right away. The photos I took and posted to instagram with my iphone really aren’t too bad. And I decided that sometimes pretty good is just good enough.

I feel very happy to be writing this, but it also feels great that it didn’t have to be perfect!

Isn’t it funny how we have to let ourselves off the hook sometimes?

For November I worked with copic markers and black fine liner pens. Instead of drawing the forms with the fine liner, I started each pattern by drawing the colorful shapes, and then used the black pens to add details or enhance the pattern as I saw fit. This is very backward to the way that I usually work, and I think I got some really interesting patterns as a result.

I was in Arizona for the entire month of November, and my southwest surroundings definitely provided some awesome inspiration, both subconsciously and directly.

I pieced the above pattern together bit by bit, and when it was all complete, I was surprised by how “southwest-y” it looked. Not that I mind! This is one of my favorites from the month!

On one of my hikes, I had the opportunity to investigate and old Pueblo, and was surprised and delighted to come across quite a few pot shards! I took several photos, and drew some direct inspiration from the shapes and patterns of the various fragments.

The landscape of shrubby juniper and cacti inspired a botanical, horizontal stripe pattern.

One of the last patterns I created in November was noticed by Copic Markers themselves on twitter (@copicmarker)! They’re tweet said simply, “this is. very. cool.” It was pretty fun to get a little shout out from one of my favorite art supply companies!

I completed 30 patterns in the month of November. You can check them all out in the Flickr set.

December’s patterns are going great. I’m doing monochromatic black and grey, using only a water soluble carbon block made by Artgraf. I’m loving the various shades of grey, but after reviewing November’s colorful collection, I’m maybe missing color a wee bit.

January is another month though, and at this point I’m toying with the idea of using color and collage to make patterns–something I haven’t done before!

Let’s Make Patterns in December!

November 30, 2012 by anika | 19 Comments

It’s hard to believe another month has zoomed by. I have only one more pattern to do for November, which I’ll be sure to finish tonight! I’m going to keep the daily pattern making momentum going, and continue the challenge into December. It might be a little more challenging with a big road trip (driving back to MD from AZ in a couple weeks) and the holidays in the mix, but I’m game.

This month I’ll be using an artgraf water soluble carbon block! Check out this video on youtube if you’ve not seen it in action before. I may or may not add color to my patterns this month. Part of me is interested in seeing what I can come up with using only black and white. Plus, then it would be easy to scan the black patterns and add color digitally which I need to get more practice with. I’ll see how the first few days go before deciding for sure.

How about you? Care to join me in December and make a pattern everyday? You can use any media at any size you want. Feel tree to tailor this challenge to suit you, your schedule, and what you want to accomplish. There are very few set in stone rules, besides the obvious: make patterns. Even if you can’t get a pattern done every single day, I’d love to have you join the fun when you can!

If you’ll be playing along, be sure to tag your patterns on instagram and twitter with #letsmakepatterns and/or #patternadaydec so that I will be sure to see them!

Looking forward to another month of patterns!

Pattern a Day October

November 29, 2012 by anika | 5 Comments

I know what you’re thinking: “Pattern a Day October? But it’s the end of November!” Well, my internet connection at the cabin is slow and limited, so I didn’t want to upload all the scans of my October patterns. I discovered that my laundromat actually has a decent connection, strong and speedy, so I brought my laptop with me last time, and uploaded a bunch of images while my clothes were washing and drying.

For October I worked with watercolor, and sometimes added details with gray ink that I filled a couple of my rapidograph pens with.

Before I started the month, I tried out my new mixed-media sketchbook with some colorful inks I had on hand.

I liked the different line quality I was getting with wet media, but I didn’t want to limit my color palette this month with the few colors of ink I had. I decided to use watercolor for all the color possibilities it would give me.

I completed the first few patterns while I was still in Maryland.

I left Maryland for Arizona on October 10th, so I created several patterns while I was on the road! I used a small travel watercolor set, so I had fewer colors to work with, but I still came up with some interesting combinations.

When I finally made it to Arizona, the daily pattern making continued.

Throughout the month, there were some days where I wasn’t 100% happy with a pattern I created, so I wanted to redo it, or I just wanted to keep painting, so I did! I ended up with quite a few “extra” patterns and paintings. Some were rather experimental or rough, and the explorations were a lot of fun.

You can see many more daily patterns and all the extras on flickr.

At the moment I’m nearing the end of another month of daily patterns, and although December will be full of travel and holidays, I’m planning to keep going for at least another month! Feel free to join me and make a pattern everyday (or so). Tag your photos on instagram and/or twitter: #letsmakepatterns and #patternadaydec

Yay patterns!

Let’s Make Patterns!

November 1, 2012 by anika | 10 Comments

There is only one rule: make a pattern everyday!

I know I already wrote an info post about the daily pattern challenge I’ve been doing, but I’m excited, so here’s another one!

If you want to join in on the fun, tag your photos with #letsmakepatterns &/or #patternadaynov on instagram and twitter.

I’ve decided to add the #letsmakepatterns tag because I wanted something that referenced the fact that the patterns are created, not just found patterns in the world, which I’ve seen pop up under the #patternaday tag.

I like to use the daily pattern challenge as an opportunity to try out a different medium, or limit myself in some way with a few preset guidelines. If you usually work with a lot of color, maybe try only black and white patterns for the month. If you are very comfortable with oil pastels, try out markers. The patterns can be simple or complex. You can make them as a warm up exercise before you work on other creative endeavors, or they can stand on their own. Ultimately that part of the challenge is up to you though. Feel free to use the same materials that I use in a particular month (for November I’m using markers!), set your own parameters, or just be completely open and free with it.

Unlike a year-long challenge, this is just for a month, which I’ve found to be much more sustainable. Maybe it’s just a psychological difference, but I know that I have the option not to do it for a particular month if I don’t feel like it, and I think that helps. Not so much pressure.

In my internet wanderings I came across Art Every Day Month which is this month! Rather synchronous, don’t you think? It might be another good way to share your daily creations.

If you’re on flickr, check out the create everyday group started by Kari Maxwell. I’ll be posting at least some of my patterns there. Kari is also offering a Create Every Day online class from November 5 – 9 if you want some help getting started on creating everyday.

Looking forward to lots of patterns in November!

Nature and Sketching

October 31, 2012 by anika | 6 Comments

I’ve been spending a lot of time in the woods lately. If you follow me on instagram, you are probably aware of that fact. If you want further proof, check out my SW adventure blog, Southwest Direction.

Sometimes I don’t walk very far, even if I’m gone for a long time. The environment is so different here that almost everything I see is new and exciting and catches my attention. Then I must stop, look, maybe take a photo, and maybe collect a few rocks, flowers or leaves.

I’ve started to take photos of some of those collected treasures once I get back to the cabin.

When I collected several oak leaves, the wind was too crazy to even think about making an arrangement to photograph outside, so I drew them instead.

I take many more photos than those that I post onto instagram or my adventure blog. Sometimes the beauty I saw in person just doesn’t quite translate to pixels on a small screen. One photo that I was particularly enchanted by was a “miniature landscape” that I found along the shore of Luna Lake.

One night when I couldn’t sleep, I decided to try sketching the mini landscape to see if I could capture some of the magic that had initially captivated me.

Part way through sketching, I took a quick photo of the drawing before taking a break.

A little later I finished it.

It’s amazing to me how different the two stages of the drawing are. The final is more finished and anchored on the page, while the first stage feels looser and airier. I don’t know that I have a favorite, but I thought the change was interesting!

I think I’m also soaking up inspiration in a less direct way. I’ve been doodling a bit everyday.

I was particularly drawn to the upside-down V shapes on the left of the page, so I did a more complete pattern on another page in my sketchbook.

I wasn’t consciously aware of the inspiration source, but someone on instagram mentioned that it reminded them of tents or a forest, and I think that’s just perfect! The surrounding nature is definitely starting to knit itself into my subconscious, and I for one am glad for it! I can’t wait to see what will come through next!

Pattern A Day Challenge

October 22, 2012 by anika | 7 Comments

I’ve been having a great time creating a pattern every day. I’m posting my daily pattern on instagram and twitter, and I do a round up at the end of the month on this blog. I wanted to write a general post about the challenge, since I’ve had a few people interested in joining me, and wanting to know more about it.

There is only one rule: make a pattern everyday!

This project actually started back in August in a slightly different form. I participated in Doodle-a-Day-August started by Rhianna Wurman. It was great, and I love the way it challenged me to think differently and stretch myself and my drawing to fit the themes. However, having the daily set theme was sometimes too much to deal with, and I had more than a few “catch up sessions”. Even that was ok, but with a busy month in September, I didn’t think I’d be able to stick with it. In just a month I’d grown to love being creative everyday, so instead of opting out entirely, I adjusted the challenge to suit.

For September I set a couple of paramaters: I would use a specific sketchbook that had exactly 30 pages, and a set of IKEA gel pens I’d recently acquired. Those were the only “rules” other than creating a pattern everyday.

For October’s challenge, I changed the parameters slightly. I’m using a larger sketchbook, and working with watercolor and occasionally adding details with grey ink in a rapidograph pen (although as the month has gone on it’s more watercolor, less ink).

I’m not sure what media I’ll be using next month. I’m considering copic markers and zig writers, but I’ll wait til it’s November to decide.

If you’d like to join me, that would be great! I’d really love to see what you create. Tag your photo on instagram and/or twitter with #patternadayoct (for this month) and #patternadaynov (for next month). I’ve been using #patternaday as well, regardless of the month.

I like to use the challenge as an opportunity to try out a different medium, or limit myself in some way with a few preset guidelines. If you usually work with a lot of color, maybe try only black and white patterns for the month. If you are very comfortable with oil pastels, try out markers. Ultimately that part of the challenge is up to you though. Feel free to use the same materials that I use in a particular month, set your own parameters, or just be completely open and free with it.

Looking forward to lots of patterns in November!

Arizona So Far and Road Trip Highlights

October 21, 2012 by anika | 2 Comments

I made it to Arizona! So far it’s been great!

By now I feel pretty well settled in the cabin. I needed a couple of days to just recuperate from my long road trip. Tired of being cooped up in my car, I wanted to be out in nature. I investigated the area around the cabin, taking walks and lots of photos. It’s so pretty here!

These are aspen and pine trees near the cabin.

Luna Lake is just across the highway from the neighborhood where the cabin is.

I’m so glad to finally be here, and I’m enjoying the beauty of this area immensely. However, there were a few highlights from my road trip too.

The first chance I had to do some exploring was in Alabama. That day’s drive was only about 7 hours, so I there was enough daylight left for me to check out Pinnacle Mountain State Park. I got there just in time for sunset; a spectacular sight from the scenic overlook.

The park was open an hour after sunset, so I took a quick hike down the trail from the overlook, and was delighted to find a “fairly corral” that someone had made with moss, sticks and pine cones.

Isn’t it the cutest?

I stopped at a rest stop in Texas, near Amarillo. It was perched on the edge of the Palo Duro Canyon which is the second largest canyon in the US. For the first time, I really had the feeling that the environment and vegetation was remarkably different from the east coast.

I had a great time throughout my road trip, but the real jewel of my experience was my stop in New Mexico. I stayed the night in Moriarty, NM and woke up at 3am to drive a half an hour over to Albuquerque to go to the International Balloon Fiesta. Ever since I first heard about this festival when I was little, I’ve wanted to go see it, but I never gave much thought to actually going. By pure accident I stumbled upon an article that mentioned the festival and the fact that it was happening around the time I was planning to drive out to Arizona! I adjusted my schedule, leaving a day early in order to get out there in time to attend the very last session, early Sunday morning.

I was lucky–after a week of iffy weather and some days with high wind, I went to the festival, and the weather was perfect for the launch. Clear skies and very little wind. I arrived at 5am, and waited around until they launched the first balloons in the Dawn Patrol. The first dozen or so balloons launch while it’s still dark. They illuminate the balloons intermittently, and it’s a beautiful sight to see!

Isn’t it cool how they glow?

As the sun rose and the day grew brighter, the rest of the balloons began to take off for the mass ascension. At the peak there were about 600 balloons in the air! Incredible!

The Albuquerque balloon festival is unique in that you can walk around the field as the balloons are taking off. It was awesome to be able to get close to the baskets and watch how the crew began the inflation process, until finally they were ready for lift off.

I was completely giddy the entire time I was there. It was literally a dream come true.

The next day, I did some grocery shopping in Santa Fe, and eventually got on the road to head over to Alpine. Because of the late start, I knew I would arrive in the dark. I was a little nervous about it, but I found the cabin easily. It felt so good to finally not sleep in a hotel!

I’ve been settling in since. I took a quick trip over to Springerville to pick up a few supplies I’d forgotten while near Albuquerque. On the way back, I swung by the White Mountain Wildlife Area. I took a “quick” 1 mile hike, which took me up to the top of the mountain to a point that overlooks the valley. More prettiness!

I actually didn’t realize that the trail would go up so high, but with some huffing and puffing (the altitude is 8,000+ feet, which I’m not quite used to yet!) I made it to the top, and it was so worth it.

More adventures await, and I’ve actually been writing in more detail and sharing lots of photos on a new tumblr I set up for my SW adventure: http://swdirection.tumblr.com/

I hope you’ll check it out, but I will also be posting more general updates here every now and then.

a is for anika

making art and writing about it.