Wednesday, May 14, 2014

What Inspires You Wednesday: ArtPlay

Watercolors & Patterns



Since Easter morning, when I took my Mom's big old paint supply box out to the backyard and sat and just gave watercolors a try, I've been creating something with watercolor just about every day.

I am a girl obsessed. It feels like a stress relieving mental vacation for me, when a real vacation is far off in the distance. It is giving me a much needed burst of creativity away from the mouse, that in turn makes me more productive at my desk for having had the time away. I often start and end my day this way and it only inspires me to do it  more.

Right now, I'm just trying to create for creating's sake. To see what feels right. What looks right. Whether it's flowers, or experimenting with colors, landscapes, or a lot of patterns I feel like I just need to produce and I'll find my groove and style and I don't want to limit myself at all. That itself feels incredibly refreshing when by day, I'm creating for business purposes and it can be an entirely different process. As a creative person, sometimes I just need the freedom to create whatever strikes my fancy. The watercolors feel like they're all about letting the business stuff of the day go. Making mistakes, trial and error and simply going with the flow and just creating. Period.

I've really been having a blast playing with patterns, among other things.  I finally took one of my watercolor patterns and imported it into photoshop and then into illustrator where I created a bigger, overall pattern.  I must admit, I'm quite like it and am inspired to do that with many more of the patterns I've already painted.



I think what I'm really liking is that there are no rules. Yeah, I'm not the kind of gal that's into rules.

I also painted my first two watercolor buildings last night. I took a trip to New York and the Empire State first and then ended my mental vacation in Paris before I hit the sack. If you follow me on instagram, you may have seen it already, but there it is again.

Did you know that the Eiffel Tower was built in a matter of two years? Before the turn of the last century? No kidding. It was also criticized by many architects and designers of the times, but in the end I think this icon has had the last laugh. Someday I'll see it in person.


Not half bad for a first go. The funny thing is, I really didn't like how it was looking at the beginning, but I stuck with it and was pleased with it in the end.  There is more forgiveness with watercolors than I would have thought. I'm feeling inspired by that too. Not judging too soon and letting things unfold. It's a good lesson.

If you're like me and love patterns, be sure to check out all the inspiration on my patterns & texture pinterest board. Gorgeous stuff.


Tonight I doubt there will be any painting at the end of the day. It's playoff hockey between my Bs and our rivals, the Montreal Canadiens. In game 7. At home. I'm hoping my boys look like themselves on the ice tonight. The President's Cup winners- the team with the best record in hockey this year.  The last game we looked like a different team all together. Of course, when we win the Stanley Cup this year, we'll be able to say, 'it wouldn't have been the same without beating the Habs in a game seven to get there'. I'll close the windows, but you still may hear me all the way from here.  Nothing like getting the heart racing........

I know I can count on you to make it a great day, right? I'll do the same.

Ciao for now,





15 comments:

  1. I love the Eiffel Tower painting! It reminds me of our trip to Paris last year. It's amazing in person, I hope you get to see it someday!

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    1. Thanks Sam! It was fun to give it a whirl. Oh yes, someday. I'd love to go up at night and see the whole city lit up. That was SOME trip last year!!!!! just a tiny bit jealous.

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  2. Glad you're enjoying creating for creating's sake. And, so timely that you talk about no rules...I'm currently taking an online class with Jane Dunnewold, Artist Strength Training, and this is the topic for the week. How cool!

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    1. Sometimes we need to allow ourself to create with no rules of any sort, and see where it takes us Mary Lynn. Off to check out Jane!

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  3. Is the pattern painted on fabric? I think it would be cool to use a pattern like that for throw pillows or napkins. I hope you get to visit Paris, I bet you'll love it. I can recommend squeezing in a trip to the Musée d'Orsay, it's amazing!

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    1. It isn't. I painted it in watercolor. Scanned the image, isolated in photoshop. Imported into Illustrator where I added some denim texture and a background color. Took original single image and made pattern. And viola. But I was thinking the same thing. And after sticking it up on my wall to view, I think it would make a rad wallpaper. Musee d'orsay....the building alone is a masterpiece.

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  4. Oh my goodness that 1st one looks amazing and as Marieken, I was convinced it's painted on fabric. Such a well done job, sweetie. Beautiful! xoxo

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  5. Pam, your pink grey abstract artwork is fantastic! I LOVE the texture :)

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  6. I love the gray with the pink and white. Fantastic! I have the same problem as you, where when I have vacation it's not really downtime but basically its time for me to think of other creative things. My brain is always racing

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    1. love that color combo. oh, hate it when you can't shut your head off when you lay down to sleep. that's the worst.

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  7. I love the watercolouring you've been doing lately!

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    1. Thank you SO much Wilma. I really is refreshing and energizing in a way to be working in a different medium

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You comments make my day. Thanks for taking the time to visit Mercantile Muse and for commenting. I really appreciate it. ~Pam

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