Zen and the Art of Pattern Making

Pumpkin Detail

This is my latest entry in my journal, again I have had a lovely time playing with pattern.  I am surprised about my patience in the repetitive pattern making, but I have realised that I find it very meditative and calming.  I also am very run down at the moment and the chronic fatigue is turning my brain to a pea soup fog, so the gentle repetition is very soothing.

Pumpkin, journal page. Watercolour pencils and ink.

Not to worry as I have finally got my holiday and I have three, wonderful, fantastic and much-anticipated weeks off, where I can just relax and make all kinds of art.  How fabulous is that, I can’t think of the last time I had three weeks just to chill out.  You will be getting a lot of posts from me during this time as I share all the things I will be doing.

I saw this great picture of a pumpkin with this wild twisty stem and just had to draw it and then matched it to this fabulous pattern, I love the autumn colours and the country feel to this picture.

I found them all on Pinterest where I am collecting the best array of pictures and pins.  See me there under Karen Bailey.

Karen

Seasons of colour – May Autumns End

May – Oak leaves

It the last month of Autumn and it has turned cold, in fact winter cold and it has rained constantly for over a week.  Now before I moan too much, I must put this in context, we need rain, in fact we usually need rain, so that is good and the garden is loving it.  My problem is that like every autumn I am not ready for winter yet, couldn’t I have a few more sunny days please before it gets cold and grey.

I was inspired to do this pattern by our lovely, huge oak tree that shelters the house we live in.  Not a bad effort as it is two stories and the tree covers over half of it.  It is somehow really comforting to be embraced by this venerable old tree.  It leaves have turned but not all at the same time, some are red but others are still a yellowy-green.  I also channelled a little of mid-century design and came up with this pattern, lots of fun.

May spread in the journal

I thought I would get back to the Autumn colours after by spring toned Easter picture.

Karen

May – Oak leaves

Seasons of Colour – April

Autumn Red – Watercolour pencils and ink

Here is my contribution for April.  The ornamental grape-vine that shades the my house from the hot north sun, is starting to turn.  It is not cold yet and only a few of the leaves turned bright red, the rest are more of a russet-brown.  We will need a frost to really get the colours to brighten up.

I like the way the grape-vine twines around itself and the grey trunk contrast with the bright red leaves,  I have tried to convey the texture of the rough trunk and the smooth leaves, the pattern around it almost give it a medieval feel and the tones are the quintessential autumn colours.  Not sure if it needs more work, but as these are supposed to be quick works and  have already spent half a day on it, I think I will leave it there.

I took a few photos of the sun shiny through the leaves and as one turned out quite well I will share it with you, just realise that I make no claims at being a photographer.  These are happy snaps with my iPad.

Karen