T H E    P R O C E S S 

I enjoyed each of the three pattern drawing types, but I think I'm more drawn toward random patterns, I like the less structured approach to these, but I was glad that I had the variety of all 3 types when it came to composing my collages.

Of the mindful drawing exercises, I really find counting the most effective for helping me to stay present with the process - and if the pattern suits it, counting with the drawing (inhale and draw 2 circles, exhale and draw 2 circles).

I really, really loved cutting out the circles - I actually think I could do it all day (well, maybe not ALL day, but I definitely enjoyed it!) I just love the way the circles all look together in a little pile too, and seeing them like this made me more sure that I'd chosen the right color palette as I loved the energy and vibrancy of the yellow, pink and orange balanced with the cool, calming but uplifting blues.

 

M Y    F I N I S H E D    C O L L A G E S

Here's my first finished collage - I titled this one 'Aligned'. I found it felt quite natural to compose this one, I really liked the repetition, symmetry and balance, it seemed to kind of compose itself!

 

This collage I titled 'Hopeful' because it feels quite optimistic and positive - my eye is drawn to the little circular pattern in the center of the large one, almost as though that is a target, or something to be aiming or hoping for.

 

I titled this collage 'Centered' because I feel as though the way the pieces are arranged really focuses on the very middle of the composition, the circles surrounding it almost like a matryoshka - it was important to add those 2 pink and blue semi-circles right in the middle to give it that focal point.

 

I titled this collage 'Effervescent' because it reminded me of bubbles - I think because it has so many repeating circle patterns in it, and the whole thing being in a circle shape really accentuated that. I also think of that term as quite positive and bubbly, which the colors really suggest to me.

 

I titled this collage 'Balance' because it looks like objects balancing on top of each other. This was another composition which felt very natural to create - I think visually this one really resonated with me and the feelings I had when I created it.

 

This collage was such a challenge to resolve, but I'm really glad I did because it's one of my favorites from the collection. I think what eventually helped me to resolve it was to try to more clearly define the shape (the backward S) in which the pieces are aligned. The 2 additional pink shapes I drew on really helped with this too.

 

T H E   S E R I E S

I much prefer to see my collages together as a collection than individually. It reminds me that they are all connected, and intertwined - you can see that visually as they share some of the same patterned circles, which reminds me of the overlapping intentions within them. 

I found that with this series the centered compositional approach really resonated, which I think had a lot to do with being nervous about creating them on camera, as other series I've created have been predominantly Optimistic in style, so it was really interesting to notice this!

 

D E T A I L S

The little bits of additional drawing I added on the collages at the end I think really helped me to resolve a couple of areas which I felt needed a little "extra" contrast / sparkle / detail etc.