Why pattern design, and why me?
In the flow...
Creativity is a magical state. Time stops, and a sense of presence imbues the moment. For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a pattern designer is the opportunity to connect at a deep level with the natural world, to explore all the wonders of color, texture, scent and community that draws me in and allows me to feel truly connected, part of the grand design.
Here, a dahlia, accidentally broken and lying on the ground, called to me, "come, explore my rows of petals, my tints and hues, the texture of my central disk...." and away I went, contemplation and sketching hand in hand.
My normal process for pattern creation is to take numerous photos of whatever inspiration catches my attention, then settle in for sketching sessions, but when the inspiration insists on coming inside with me, I will find myself sketching directly from it.
Each sketch is then scanned, so I can vectorize it in the Adobe Illustrator program. It becomes a motif in this process.
After that, I take the motifs and play around with them, as the number of possible arrangements and patterns is infinite.
Once I have settled on the overall design layout, and figured out the repeat, I can then play with colors!
There is a lot of play involved, but the technical aspects of pattern design and working with such a complex program as Illustrator, does involve focus, patience, determination and a fair amount of skill.
I am the artist behind Heartway Design
Ramona Young-Grindle
When I was in high school, our art class took a field trip to the home of Luther Burbank, who was famous for his work with hybridizing plants. Our assignment was to make a painting of his historic house. All the other kids scattered to the front of the house to claim their perspective, but I went around to the back of the house where the gardens were...I laid down on my stomach to paint the view looking up through the plants to where I could just see the roof of his house, which, in my mind, qualified as "painting his house." Alas, the teacher disagreed...nevertheless, I was pleased with it even if he wasn't! Moral of the story for pattern designers: pay attention to the brief! If the house is the assignment, do the house. If you must do the garden, find a different assignment!
Drawing, painting, calligraphy, throwing pots, needlework, sewing costumes, flower arranging, woodcrafting, designing miniature gardens, felting ornaments, graphic art, beading, photography, repurposing and restoring , and so much more, the creative urge runs through it all, and has informed my artistic life.
And now, living in the Pacific Northwest on a three-mile wide peninsula situated between the ocean and the bay, with nature reserves, parks and my various gardens close at hand, and encouraged by a vibrant artist community, I have found in pattern design the perfect outlet for all this inspiration!
