pattern recognition

The 18 hour Paisley

2012-01-16T17:20:00.000-08:00

I worked on this paisley for 3 days.
Here are some of the steps I went through to get it into repeat.

the original "art" from the client

had to reduce it to B+W first, worked in photoshop (psd)

considered completing paisley by hand drawing
got this far and nixed the notion
I can draw nicer shapes with the pen tool in ai

straightened it out using skew transformation

mirrored the elements
I then took it all into Illustrator (ai) and Live Traced

here are elements that I pulled to make custom ai brushes

here are all the brushes in ai

working out the repeat

it's all little bits of vectors from the Live Tracing
big file!

repeat done

I then exported it to psd
and brought back into ai
re-Live Traced
to make it a nice simplified flat file

adjusted colors to beige + grey

finally done

celebrated with chocolate truffles

Spoonflower Design: googie coffee shops of greater Los Angeles toile

2012-01-12T22:13:00.000-08:00

Cityscapes. Create a fabric design using a view, or elements of a view, of a particular city.

VOTE HERE

How did I do this?

2012-01-05T17:18:00.000-08:00

trying to remember how I created this repeat because now I need to make a companion with circular elements. argh, brain, get to work and stop thinking about chocolate truffles...

Spoonflower Design Contest: coordinates -- VOTE!

2012-01-05T11:04:00.000-08:00

VOTE HERE on my entry in Spoonflower's design contest
(the entries are posted randomly, so I can't tell you which page it'll appear on)

the designs for these originated from my silkscreen work from the 70s
more here

Contest Rules:
Coordinates. Using a single digital file uploaded to your Spoonflower account, submit a one-yard image that includes four distinct coordinating fabric designs, including at least one stripes pattern and one dots pattern. The four designs should take up equal amounts of space on a one-yard canvas (42" x 36"). Preview will be sized at a yard of quilting-weight cotton (42" x 36").

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

here's a Bloody Mary repeat for what ails you:

original photo swiped off from Google Images search
used for entertainment purposes only

flashback: 5/75

2011-12-14T05:17:00.000-08:00

My career as a surface designer started when my use of silkscreen as an art medium coincided with the Pattern and Decoration art movement. Back then, I had NO IDEA I'd be designing underwear prints 30 years later!

These are the oldest examples of my silkscreen work that I could find in the house. (There are older ones out in the garage but they're extremely buried. Until I get an intern, I can't get to them. Harhar). They are from the "1st Series" set. Hmmm, maybe they ARE the first of this patterny-type genre.

I had a very different color aesthetic then

Looking at these confirmed my idea of taking all this abstract work and turning them into repeats. I fooled around changing the colorway on the 3rd:

also rotated it
this is my current color crush: lt blue/royal/red
doesn't quite make it
looks like a flag

I'm going to stay with the original colors and make it patchworky with a grid of patterned boxes. Stay tuned!

California Tartan scarf

2011-06-29T08:40:00.000-07:00

I have become a seller on Cargoh (a curated Etsy)
While uploading some of my map prints from 2003:

I got an idea to turn the design concept into a printed scarf
Here's the scarf art:

I had to recreate the tartan - I'd done the original repeat on what was then called U4ia, using the weave program. As you can see up top, it's not a perfect square and I didn't like what happened when I put it on the bias.

this really is the official state tartan of California. I kid you not!

Here's where you can purchase the scarf on Cargoh
I will add a product photo after I get my sample from Spoonflower
(and buy a machine to merrow the hem!)

Shopping: The Whole 9 Yards, Portland, OR

2011-06-29T07:55:00.000-07:00

funny!

The Whole 9 Yards has a great selection of fabrics for home decor. In the back, there are some wild combinations arranged on the display racks. (Sorry, no photos!).
They also have some unusual trims:

pink bling balls

girlie tulle as a trim: make a skirt for Barbie with it!

print design: good find

2011-06-13T08:29:00.000-07:00

Isn't this print adorable?

It's on a vintage apron that I recently rediscovered. I had never really studied the print. I'm going to digitize it at work today. Borderline "work" appropriate.

Illustrator Blends

2011-05-16T17:28:00.000-07:00

some samples:

this one has blend going from outside edges into middles

this one has clusters of radiating lines masked by individual flower petals

cupcake print on spoonflower

2011-05-14T11:08:00.000-07:00

here it is!

cupcake print

2011-05-13T16:58:00.000-07:00

I'm working up a print that I'll post on Spoonflower to get some yardage for my Opening Reception outfit. Thinking silk crepe de chine ground.
Taking printout (and file) home to think on it. I'll post the link when it goes live.

Happy Socks

2011-04-15T07:43:00.000-07:00

here's what I got

eye candy
link here

lines and grids: p4

2010-06-13T10:01:00.000-07:00

pencil detritus

2010-06-12T10:05:00.001-07:00

pencil detritus
Originally uploaded by anne m bray

the shavings from my green + orange pencils look so pretty. think I'll keep using colors that coordinate and add to the pile

lines and grids: p3

2010-06-12T10:01:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed using colored pencils much more than the ink
It reminds me of a topo map.
I LIKE topo maps..
(note: date on page is wrong. should be 6-11)

lines and grids: p2 again

2010-06-12T09:58:00.000-07:00

wait! it looks even better with the next page showing through:

new arthouse project: lines and grids

2010-06-11T17:49:00.000-07:00

this is page 2. I will probably not post them in order.

(I know I want to add more to page 1)

ArtHouse is putting on this huge Sketchbook Project that is going to tour the US like a rock band. They're even going to SXSW! (note to self -- good excuse to go to Austin).
There is still time to sign up. Deadline is 10/31/10

Looks like mine will be patterny, so I'll post the pages here.

tiles from the internet

2010-06-07T13:03:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across this Tiling Database site on Friday.

After I posted the link, Hollis, a facebook friend, asked me what I used this information for. This morning, I took one of the patterns that I swiped and turned it into a design suitable for mens lounge pants or underwear.

original on left, my version on right

For geometric repeats like this, I almost always use Illustrator.

In trying to relocate the original print, I found another very interesting part of the site. I recommend that you "check" it out!

what can I say... I love dots

2010-05-12T08:15:00.000-07:00

I have to design dot prints at work a lot (very popular for ladies panties). Doesn't bother me though, and I'm always on the lookout for new dot ideas. I decided to keep a dot journal with work stuff, doodles, swipe, etc.

Found a great sketchbook with dots both on the cover AND on the pages. Spot on!

I got it @ Blick's -- cheaper @ Amazon. Comes loaded with "designery" stuff: a ruler, stickers, built-in pockets, plus resource guide.

dots project finished

2010-05-12T07:57:00.000-07:00

Here is my final iteration of the "what if" dots. It goes out to ArtHouse today. It'll be on display in Brooklyn on June 25th.

a facebook find becomes a repeat

2010-04-16T07:24:00.000-07:00

I'm a member of a facebook group called Found It (Urban Artifacts).The premise is to look for unnatural objects outdoors and photograph them either in situ or in the studio. Through this, I have discovered that my suburban neighborhood is very tidy. Not much detritus that isn't organic. Still, I remain on the lookout.

This scrap of security envelope caught my eye:

I took it to work and scanned it:

then I used the texture on a dot pattern:

what if the background texture is different?

2010-04-12T07:43:00.000-07:00

what if I had another layer of white dots at a smaller scale?

2010-02-27T20:31:00.000-08:00

(next 2-27) what if the background texture is different?

-------------------------------------------------------------------(2-27) what if I had another layer of white dots at a smaller scale?
and used the bigger dots as a mask

what if I used the dark dots reversed out to white over the texture?

2010-02-27T19:18:00.000-08:00

(next 2-27) what if I had another layer of white dots at a smaller scale?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(2-27) what if I used the dark dots reversed out to white over the texture?

what if I took the dark dots and made a 1/2 drop?

2010-02-27T19:11:00.000-08:00

(next 2-27) what if I used the dark dots reversed out to white over the texture?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2-26) what if I took the dark dots and made a 1/2 drop?

and put a different texture underneath

what if I took a section of the dots (the 12 dark ones) and made a repeat from that?

2010-02-27T18:43:00.000-08:00

(next 2-26) what if I took the dark dots and made a 1/2 drop?(2-26) what if I took a section of the dots (the 12 dark ones) and made a repeat from that?
nine worked better

what if... project

2010-02-27T18:11:00.000-08:00

Jude Hill has a fun blog to follow titled "what if"
I'm going to use her same method on my pattern project for ArtHouse
Reading her blog, I noticed that one goes backwards in her creative process.
My format will be writing down the next idea at the top of the completed image, bottom of image will have idea that generated image

what if I took a section of the dots (the 12 dark ones) and made a repeat from that?
original (again)

more dots

2010-02-16T13:36:00.000-08:00

I'm working further on the piece shown in previous post below for an ArtHouse project. (link)
Can't part with the original, so I'll work either digitally or on a printout or both.

I loaded a photo showing a panty in the original dot print substrate and now that's my main photo for the project. Yikes.

idyllwild adventure

2009-08-09T06:56:00.000-07:00

here is a great summary of class #2 of my Idyllwild adventure for your browsing pleasure (by the instructor, Lesley Riley)... until I get myself organized enough to write about it...

this is one of my favorites of what I did... substrate is costco US panty fabric
overlaying textures include: stencil made from "background" from dot stickers and brushwork over bubble wrap laid underneath

booklet from reject print

2009-07-09T07:17:00.000-07:00

here it is piled on top of test prints for next project

I printed black scribbles on inside and hand wrote some extra "legible" text
I'm going to get a polymer plate made of "inside" and put it through letterpress for class
the impression from letterpress will be a nice extra
think I'll put it through the press twice so I can keep this size for book (I'm making a 8.5 x 11 plate) Experimented with folding a letter size sheet and book too too small.

great review in ArtScene

2009-07-01T10:27:00.000-07:00

I created a special section on my site about our show for Suvan which worked out really well!
there's Screen on the ArtScene virtual wall
the review

I didn't "see" it until yesterday

2009-06-25T06:28:00.000-07:00

way behind on posts... had to get show work done... more on process later

meanwhile, while working on my show brochure, I noticed that the Veils pieces, if you squint your eyes and see them really, really small, are landscapes! The SAME kind of compositions that I use in my realistic work. I guess it's innate. And I never, never noticed this until yesterday.

the last piece to get done

2009-06-14T10:07:00.000-07:00

I totally forgot that I was thinking of doing some pieces with acrylic transfer of laser prints. And I'm not sure what caused me to remember it yesterday or the day before... Anyhow, one perk is: don't have to rely on a service bureau for printout so can delay completion until the last minute. Another is: I can build it up in a way similar to the old collage piece "Screen". Since this last piece is a "friend" to that one, how appropriate. Yet one more perk: process will be "hands on" vs digital.

I've never done this method, so I googled "acrylic medium image transfer". These 2 links are my favorites:
http://www.calsk8.com/zeitgeist/acrylicgeltransfers.htm
http://www.ebsqart.com/artMagazine/za_513.htm

Of course, I only have inkjet here, so I'm going to do some printouts @ work tomorrow. I rescanned all the "Veils" monoprints that had colors I liked yesterday on the 11 x 17 scanner in my classroom @ Otis. Data all on the iPod and ready to print (hopefully with no or minor color adjustments).

countdown to deadline -- anything to frame must be finished and delivered today

2009-06-10T12:30:00.000-07:00

two prints to finish... or maybe just one... or is it two...

this newest one cries out to be a banner shape -- I'm going to keep the 19" width and have this sort of thing repeat for 72" Then it'll be friends with "Screen" (which was my intention for this one)

I won't be framing this so I only have to worry about getting it to a service bureau in time for the printing

below is one of the old prints that I scanned to create the above digital. Trimmings and reject prints from its series were used to create Screen

"Veils #16" silkscreen monoprint, 18 x 10.5"

another new one

2009-06-06T07:56:00.000-07:00

this one printed out much darker and duller than how it looks on the monitor (THAT problem) so I need to tweak the image
or maybe I'll go into the print with handwork
haven't decided

this one is a combo of scanned dip pen marks (both used on previous 2 prints)
I like the way it looks like handwriting but doesn't say anything

(and, perhaps this is sad, I see these marks could work well on a panty print... gotta come up with new designs for costco US and, well... here they are... hmmm, maybe I could count an hour or so as "offsite" time and get paid haha)

done (I think)

2009-06-06T07:50:00.000-07:00

Inked #2 13 x 19" Digital Monoprint

restart

2009-06-02T09:47:00.000-07:00

this one is a good start gone bad...

I was happily feeding this through the printer, one layer at a time, letting chance create the layered composition and then I decided it needed some new different marks...
I drew some with litho crayon, scanned, made a repeat and put it through the printer again
well
I forgot to specify the printer when adjusting the paper size and it printed the wrong way (plus I don't like the scale of the marks -- too big) doh!

I liked this print a lot until the last pass, and decided to replicate the process
THIS TIME I used layers in photoshop to fine tune the blending:
still not quite finished, but getting close

something new

2009-05-31T14:48:00.000-07:00

"Inked" digital monoprint, 13 x 19"

something new (phase 1)

2009-05-31T12:42:00.001-07:00

here is the first printing of the new digital piece

it seems to "beg" for some red marks that also have the "inky" look
after attempting some digital solutions that for various technical issues wouldn't fly (wrong OS for tablet on this machine, can't find Painter software CD to install on laptop with correct OS, etc etc), I went ANALOG.
found my tin of Grandfather's dip pens, found the jar of ink, made some marks and now I've gotta wait for the ink to dry so I can scan... to be continued...

something old

2009-05-31T10:47:00.000-07:00

"Slashed #4" Lithograph, 15.5 x 21"

I scanned more old prints @ Otis yesterday (they have 11 x 17 scanners and I had to be there to teach). I encountered the old problem of too much data, not enough storage... forgot to take my iPod that has 8G of empty space - doh! So had to save some of the scans on the CPU there... hopefully, they'll be there next week...
(too lazy to drive over there and rescue them any sooner).

The scanning process -- sitting, waiting for the preview and the digitizing -- helped me focus on which old pieces I want to revisit and reuse. Because of the press release I wrote, I'm looking more at the ones that are about weaving. I think the above qualifies and I'm attracted to the marks and ink blotty bits. So this is today's image that I'll fool around with. Results will post in a while...

writing a press release blurb on work that doesn't yet exist -- be vague

2009-05-27T07:49:00.000-07:00

In Pattern Recognition, Anne M Bray plays with motifs and materials she developed more than thirty years ago. "For the past five years, I’ve been designing prints for an intimate apparel company and this has lead me to reconsider my old pattern-based work." Multiple layerings, fragmentation and interweaving are all themes in both old prints and collages and new digitally derived mashups. "I was surprised to discover how quickly I slipped back into my old methods of working, despite using new technology."

I found what I was looking for

2009-05-25T18:15:00.000-07:00

finally!

the above is one more large piece that I discovered a few days ago. that's chuey "helping" me document it.

below on the left is a small sampling of what I found today.
now I need some place where I can lay it all out and really see what I have... without the cats walking all over it
from my brief rifle through the portfolio, many items which I don't remember -- very exciting

the 2 items above on the right are new part-way done digitals
scanned some new marks, now layer, layer, layer

june 2009

2009-05-25T06:45:00.001-07:00

june 2009, originally uploaded by anne m bray.

here's june --
go ahead, drag it to your desktop

what's going on

2009-05-21T07:16:00.000-07:00

I recently decided to join in on a show @ TAG that opens 6/24. That in itself is crazy. And then I got really bad bursitis in my drawing shoulder. Such pain I couldn't lift ANYTHING!

Anyhow, I was revisiting my old work from the 70s -- abstract patterny prints + collages:

(Above is a 19 x 18" detail of a 72 x 56" collage on canvas that is being used on the invite card)

I've found only about 5 of the old smaller pieces (which I'm hoping to find the rest to help, um, fill the wall space) that I'd pulled a couple of years ago... Where are the rest?? Somewhere in my art storage area, blocked by boxes of framed art that I can't move. ARGH!

So rather than dwell on the above issue, I scanned what I have and started experimenting digitally. I took this old lithograph:

and then started doing multi printing passes through the printer. This is similar to the technique that I used to use with the silkscreen as shown below:

(I'm worried that these marks look too much like the Nike swoosh - that branding wasn't pervasive when I created this in 76, but now...)

my limitation with the inkjet is that I don't have the opacity of color that I had before. So I need to plan it out a bit.
Here's 2 bits of what I did yesterday:

well, it's a start...
very much fun, I will say that. They need way, way, WAY more layering

a most mysterious technique

2009-04-15T06:41:00.000-07:00

this comes from a studio in korea
all they will reveal is that it was done in photoshop

I first put this up on Facebook, but realize that the discussion needs to widen. I've compiled the initial comments and ideas in the first comment below.

To me, the shading looks like a half-tone dot screen effect...

When you zoom way in, you'll see within the dots are dot gradations -- herein lies the mystery!