≡ Menu

Pattern Making Inspired by the Everyday

Making patterns in an art journal inspired by everyday objects video tutorial by Carolyn Dube

“Ordinary” things, like a kiwi, can lead to colorful play.  That average kiwi was the start of this colorful pattern which clearly is not a hyper realistic pattern that I’ve made.  It’s more like gum ball kiwis for this week’s Let’s Play video.

What is Let’s Play?  It’s all about rediscovering the ability to play. Each month I share a specific strategy that helped me recapture the freedom and fun of play.   This month’s theme is being inspired by the everyday.   You can see more of the Let’s Play series here.

Making patterns in an art journal inspired by everyday objects video tutorial by Carolyn Dube

When I play, there tends to be an Oops or two.  Can you see the O.O.P.S. (outstanding opportunity presenting suddenly) here? That Oops made it very easy to decide what to do near the end of the video.

Could I have stopped here? Absolutely.  I can stop anywhere I want when I am playing. After all, it is just play. But 2 things kept me painting.  First, the orange Oops. Second, my desire to cover up any white space with color.

Making patterns in an art journal inspired by everyday objects video tutorial by Carolyn Dube

What will I be doing next with this page?  I was feeling the urge to doodle on it but I had to wait for it dry completely.  That gave me the time to turn this into a Spark of Art-spiration download for you.  If you’d like this free download to play with as well as more Sparks delivered with in my newsletter, just click the button!

Yes, I want the free download!

This month's Let's Play theme is all about being inspired by the everydayWant to see more Let’s Play videos? You can find all the weekly posts here.

Sharing your play:   I, and a whole bunch of others, would love to see what you’re creating!  We’re sharing it in the Facebook group called A Colorful Place to Play. Why Facebook?  I’ve listened to your feedback about how and where you’d like to share your play instead of the link parties.

Monthly giveaways:  Leave comment on any (and all for more chances) of the weekly Let’s Play blog posts to be entered and one winner each month will be chosen by random.org.  Want more chances to win a $50 gift certificate to DickBlick.com?  Pin any of the images from the page or share about it on Facebook- then come back and leave a comment telling me what you did and you can have more chances to win! Giveaway closes the Sunday, July 31st at 11 pm EST and the winner will announced on the blog the following Monday.

Congrats to Margaret Price, last month’s winner!

{ 13 comments… add one }

Leave a Comment

  • Corrine July 26, 2016, 11:44 am

    Kiwi love for these happy pages in your journal. xox

  • D.Ann C July 26, 2016, 1:13 pm

    What a fun and bright summer kiwi-inspired page!

  • Jean Marmo July 26, 2016, 3:12 pm

    HOw fun! I need to start looking a things more closely!

  • dawn July 26, 2016, 3:35 pm

    You always make me want to PLAY!! This looks like a lot of fun

  • Jean Marmo July 26, 2016, 3:40 pm

    Update – I used the end of a zucchini for a stamp:)

  • Kathy E. July 27, 2016, 12:11 am

    Playing with color is so healthy for the mind and spirit! Seeing your photos lifts my spirit and makes me want to create too! Thanks for the inspiration!

  • Kristiina July 27, 2016, 5:42 am

    I just love the way you turn things colourful 🙂 your pink, blue and orange kiwi’s really pop!

  • dawn July 27, 2016, 2:20 pm

    OK I just had to try this today. Had a blast painting!!! Thanks for the inspiration.

  • Janis in ID July 27, 2016, 4:53 pm

    Love your ki-wonderful kiwi-inspired page!! The natural kiwi pattern that you copied looks fabulous in all those wonderful un-kiwi colors…..they just sing out to me. Love this.
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com
    HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

  • Janis in ID July 27, 2016, 4:56 pm

    Pinned here: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/476114991839331976/
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com
    HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

  • Kathy Gledsdale July 27, 2016, 5:40 pm

    What a fun duvet cover this pattern would make! Thank you as always for your fun videos x

  • Mary L Hockett Thoma August 2, 2016, 5:52 pm

    Hey Carolyn I went over to Google Plus looking for “A Colorful Playground” and could not find it…??