Scale in Motif

I had a query about motif on work that scales up, 14" to 28" for example.  If the motif stays the same in relation to the size of the 'frame' then it is either too large (for the small work) or too small (for the larger work) It becomes -- if small-- background, or busy if medium, or the portrait if left large to fill the frame. Here is the same motif in two applications framed and edited.

 

Let's Get Lost in Tile

I feel I've made this in fabric before. Or perhaps with charcoal in high school drawing class. Or a chalk line (see below) on the driveway for a kid's game. But here it is telling me that I should add this tiler as a kitchen backsplash, or somewhere somehow. The lure of the Tile Store.

 

Wander the Aisles

I'll have a place in the renovation that will call for fill. And no, this wouldn't do, but boy, is it ever a great tile. And there it is, now to find a place to use it. See, there is motif at every turn.
 

Four Square

 

Prints through the wash let me know lots. Is this new motif strong? Are the colors holding, or are some wimping out? Which can I combine, and which will lend themselves to a minor role? And is there one that has text or letterforms? I'm eager to prints more. This is a set of four pieces.

When the Stars Align

Printing textiles that use the same pallet a well as a common motif, and most importantly, a common edge color make these works flow from one to another. I spent some time at the studio with more to try. The first two were printed during Australia printing week, and I don't think I can wait to use them!
 

Motif Explained

I added the print where I used the motif shown yesterday. But you've already see this, so I'll add another. Seems like it paid off to print using the same palette, and now these two could be easily combined into a larger work. I have plans!

Sources

Surface Designers develop patterns for applied design on various things from wallpaper to stationery to upholstery and beyond. I have found patterns in source books equally in my photographs. This one is a take on the flower motif. I'll show you how I've used it tomorrow. 

 

Motif Sources for Printing

On my info sheet for materials for my textile printing classes I suggest finding motifs and graphics for inspiration. Photos, drawing, notes are great to have, as well as some online 'folders' like Pinterest. I've one that keeps some ideas for me, and for you if you care to browse.  https://www.pinterest.com/patpauly/motif-for-surface-design/
 

Where Do You Get Inspired?

I'm circling back to the exhibit "The Art of the Book & Paper" and this illustration used in a book. What intrigues me is the dress -- a collaged image mimicking the shape and function of a dress -- for how I might make fabric to make used in garments. This inspires me to print and to compose with large motifs.
 

San Francisco After My Heart

Should I ever own a store, the front would look like this. San Francisco hold many delights with surface design, graphic design, architectural design, you name it. This 'sprout' caught my attention. Many of you who've printed with me know my love of botanical motif. I'll take this one to my screens.
 

Back on the Design Wall

I've a couple of days before I head over to visit family, but I squeezed in a day at the studio. This set has been jumping up to the top of the pile for quite some time, so I might as well deal with this demand. I love the strong strike of the motif -- some of my old favorites and some new.

 

Print Inspiration

 

It may be some weeks before I can return to printing. Meanwhile, I continue to add images from my phone pics to an album for reference. Where it's a shadow or some great graphic, I know I can find these images quickly. 

Found Objects

On the streets of Baltimore today I found so many shapes, and I've collected these for my class Printing Under the Influence at QSDS this May. I've many more, and I'll print them out for reference when I get to the image part of the printing. I know I can translate this in several techniques. 
 

New Forms New Forms

I'll be leaning on my images from the garden this week to set a few new motifs to print next week. The strong forms, the odd bend of the stalk, and the mix of leaves is a wonderful start for cutting new shapes to print.
 

Using that LMV Motif

Here's a detail of the works using the LMV motif. Two more dresses share the motif -- one with a white background, and mine. It took me a while to develop the statement for the print, and this, along with the colors, made the collection hold together. Lella and Massimo Vignelli are the donors for the Center of Design Studies at RIT.

Line 'Em Up

Today the Printing Under the Influence workshop was screen printing, so many demos and many screens. These were the soy wax ones and a print hangs above using the middle screen. I think I've found a new friend in that motif. Stay tuned.
 

Lets Talk Motif

In my print classes we try to grab on open motif. These are both open, though the dark door is printed with so much dark, it would be difficult to layer anything over it. But it won't stand in for a figure or shape. Unless you use the entire shape that includes the print. So, only one open motif.
 

Birthday Pearls

Once a year I mark the day. It's never the same, sometimes it's the pits, sometimes I wear pearls. This birthday was modest, so the only pearls were the ones we  made in chalk. There's a gap in our ages, but we enjoy the same things. 
 

Cutting Art

Colleen Buzzard has a way with line. And cutting materials. And scale. And dimensionality. A visit to her studio and all I could think was how could I get her to talk to my workshop class about scale, line, abstraction. Such richness of talent just around the bend.
 

Collecting Images for Printing

Next week is an intensive 5 day workshop Just Silkscreen. It's a time for me to find new motif inspiration separate from others I've found. Although, I love these graphics, so I'll add to my file of motif. You're free to join us, if you've the time and space. Just check out my website under "Virtual Classes".