Week 11: Trying to get back in the habit

I am definitely not a creature of habit. And, once I get out of a habit...like writing and creating for the blog...it's really hard for me to get back into the habit.  But I am trying.  I have been playing with creating paisleys out of paper, and creating paisley with photoshop brushes....can I just say, I am totally bored with it.  Why is it that something that I like so much, I have no desire to create.  Am I limiting myself, or am I saying I don't need to reinvent the wheel?  Honestly I don't know.  I am just totally not interested in creating any more paisley designs!

I can't believe I just said that.  Oh well, sigh, what to do, what to do.  I will make the commitment to create a card tomorrow, and then I am done with Paisley and it will be on to another inspiration piece!

Week 11: Where in the blog have I been?

Catching up!

Hello friends, I am back.  I've had a busy couple of weeks, then the logic board on my computer died and I had to send it to the factory to get fixed.  I didn't realize how much I "need" my computer to get everything done.  When it's a tool of the trade, it is a little hard to trade without it!

This week I have been working on a postcard for a art show.  It's a Mother & Daughter art show featuring my mom & her friend Sheryl and both of their daughters. I designed the card but chose not to participate in the show due to time constraints and that while my work has artistic qualities, it is really design.  My sister Kathy is participating with my mom.  It was a challenge to combine all of the different styles & mediums into one cohesive design, but I am very happy with the final card!

Front

Back

The show is at the Johnson City Area Arts Council, in Johnson City, Tennessee.  Please stop by if you are in that area!

My sister Kathy and I have also been working on our website and it is now live...we still have a couple of things to work on, but it is up: www.visualtapestrydesign.com.

I'd love to hear what you think about the postcard and the website!

And Now, Back to Blogging!

I am going to pick up on Week 11 where I left off.  Then I will work until I reach 52 weeks to finish a year of blogging. To  recap:

Day 1, Inspiration: Paisley
I loved paisley or I did until I started this project.  Now I would say that I am more intrigued by it.  I do love the patterns and color schemes when I am not creating them.  I love the history of them, middle eastern  in origin, but named for Paisley, Scotland.

Paisley pants from Olympics.

Paisley tapestry

Paisley Stamp -- love the intricate detail!

Paisley ties!

Day 2: Sketches and Doodles

I like some of my art to be very precise and exact and I like to draw freehand. Not only is that a paradox, it makes it hard to draw paisleys! But none the less, I have "doodled" some and looked at different patterns.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's paper paisleys!

Week 11, Day 2: Sketches 'n Doodles

Last night in there were some bad storms...winds up to 90 mph, trees, limbs and power lines down all over the place including one of our major interstates in both directions, so it was just a traffic nightmare today.  Normally it wouldn't bother me, but I had a meeting this morning all the way across town.  After changing my route about 3 times to avoid traffic, I finally made it.  The best part of the day was after the meeting I got treated to lunch...at this awesome biker bar called Mac's!  Best burger I've had in a long time!  I didn't have to even eat the rest of the day.  My daughter K is playing Lacrosse over in that area, so I might be eating there more often.

Anyway, that was the beginning of my crazy day, and I was so tired tonight that I was thinking that I would just skip posting today.  Then my conscience  got the better of me (not to mention not wanting to hear about it from D...just kidding!) and I sat down and started to draw. Although I didn't draw that much, I enjoyed the time I took and found it relaxing.  I'm glad I honored my commitment.

In addition to drawing, I researched "paisley".  These are some interesting facts I came up with -- there are plenty more, but I'm too tired to think too much!

• Of Indian or Persian origin, dating back to around 200 AD.
• It has a kidney/twisted teardrop shape
• Although the motif origins are from 200 AD, the name comes from the town of paisley in Scotland.

My sketches and doodles:

Week 11: Inspiration...

Every week I wonder where this blog will take me and what I will use for my inspiration the next week. Sometimes I'm not even sure what my inspiration will be until I am almost ready to work on the post.  Other weeks I have something on my mind. I have a seed of an idea that festers in my head until it finally takes root and begins to grow.

This is one of those ideas that has been festering in my head.  All week I have been thinking about patterns...strange, I know.  This afternoon when I was at the store, there it was on the lady in front of me...Paisley!

I told K, I love paisley, and she said that most people my age did...Really? Really?  She didn't mean it as an insult, but it seemed like it was.  The more she tried to explain, the deeper she sank...poor K!  Poor me, I'm getting older and have no idea how that happened.  I don't feel like I am getting older.

Even if it is a bit old fashioned, I love paisley. What is a paisley? Why are some so simple, and others are completely complex? Have you ever noticed all the patterns within a paisley? I am fascinated by it. So this week, my inspiration is good old fashioned paisley.

The funny thing is I don't own anything that has a paisley print on it. So I got these images from Wikipedia Commons