What is this blog about? 365 Days of Pattern is a creative project where I create a surface pattern for 365 days. The project is inspired by Noah Scalin's book "365: A Daily Creative Journal: Make Something Everyday and Change Your Life." I am using the book as a launching point, but I am also diverging at times since I'm finding inspiration everywhere. Recently I came across another movement called "365 Patterns," where online artists are encouraged to create a pattern each day. I also have been interviewing guest artists as a way to learn and share ideas about pattern making.
Do you really make a pattern each day? No, notice I did not say "consecutive days." Life gets busy, the point of the exercise is to keep the momentum going, but there are times when I'll miss a day. My end goal is to do something creative for 365 days.
Why patterns? Pattern designs are full of math. I like repetition. I like that patterns fit into simple decorations like fabric and wallpaper. I studied printmaking in college and I remember during an art critique one of my peers described my work as always containing some "all-over pattern." For years later I buried a curiosity of textile design while I worked on graduate studies in computer science. After finishing grad school and becoming a software developer, I regained a more balanced lifestyle. Through Kate Spade's "Year of Pattern," I was introduced to the works of Florence Broadhurst. A year after grad school I felt like I had mostly recovered, but I had all but given up my artwork. I decided to rekindle my art hobbies by pursuing pattern making.
Is any of your work for sale? I have made a few of my patterns available for purchase on Spoonflower and Society6.
Other: For questions, comments, or if you're interested in collaboration, please email me at akilzer@gmail.com
