D is for Design

Curvilinear

Long before I considered myself an artist, I knew I was a designer. Even as a small child I enjoyed putting colors and shapes together to create something to please my eye. This had a tendency to get me in trouble because I drew, doodled and colored  all over everything - including my notebooks and compositions.

My long list of career titles has included design words such as graphic, photographic, book, website, instructional, jewelry and fashion. I have designed everything from earrings to Rose Festival floats. And so much more.

So, though try as I might to be "painterly", my design training and work continue to influence my art. I can never get enough of line. Drawing them, adding them, overpainting them to create texture. One look at the images I have posted over the years make it clear that I love the way lines define an image, add interest and texture, or in this case, create the total image.

One of the many benefits of my design training is a nice collection of tools to play with. My french curves were the inspiration for this simple drawing which came about because I often set rules for myself before I begin to draw. In this case I decided on only curves, only lines, no fill, no other pattern, and soft colors.

 I love the energetic result, and it suggests different ideas whichever way I turn it. This is also a lesson idea for my classes which always include a discussion of the elements of design - line is, of course, one of these.

Bb is for Bold Blooms

I am inspired. The combination of flowers, lines, zentangle patterns and time to be creative allowed me to spend an entire day at work on this. I love the foreground flowers and the leaves, and the little patterns near the table top. Oh, and zoom in on the vase.

This is fine point markers, black and color, and inktense pencil for some POP. 9x12 on watercolor paper.

More tomorrow. Its great to have something new to focus on.