Hello, my dear friend,
I’m just back from walking the dog in the little forest nearby. A thick blanket of mist was floating above the landscape, making all the spider webs visible. This allowed me to avoid some, as I could clearly see them hanging from one side of the little path to the other. On most days the webs are invisible, and I end up with them tickling my face as I walk through them.
Forests, and this one in particular, are an endless source of inspiration for me. I wish I could always be in a forest. I’m working on a collection at the moment with the working title Forest Floor. Here are some images that inspired me:
I took pictures of items I wanted to include in my patterns, like ferns, mushrooms and tree trunks, and I started sketching them. Last month I showed you sketches of a squirrel. The squirrel won’t make it into this collection, so I’ll save it for the next one. I’ve included hedgehogs in this one!
I also needed some flowers (I always need flowers!), so I chose foxglove and some little ones that look a bit like wood anemones. I especially enjoyed drawing the rotting tree trunks. They provide a wonderful home for many little animals and insects, fascinating mushrooms grow on them at this time of year, and some are covered in a curtain of ivy.
Here is a snapshot of where I currently am in the collection:
I have my two hero patterns, the hedgehog and the tree trunks. The foxglove one could be a hero or a coordinate. I see the one with the mushrooms as a coordinate, while the remaining three are blenders. I’d still like to make a coordinate with big clusters of flowers and mushrooms together, and another with “bouquets” of mushrooms (like in my sketchbook). After that, I would like to try a blender that hints at the texture of wood, and a stripe pattern.
Lately, I’m also itching to draw and paint more in my sketchbook, just for the sake of it, not for a project. I haven’t found a rhythm or a setup to support this yet, but I keep looking. Yesterday I painted the guest room, a much less fun kind of painting, but I’m glad it’s done! I listened to East of Eden by John Steinbeck, which added interest to the dull, repetitive work.
That’s it for this month. I have to admit I’m not looking forward to November. It’s one of my least favorite months: cold and rainy, with days getting shorter and shorter, but without the magic and glow that December brings. I’m lighting candles more often and would like to bake some cookies. I’ll clean up the garden and start making plans for next year. There’s nothing better for cheering up a November day!
See you next month,
Ema
Find all my patterns and illustrations below:
As an illustrator and pattern designer, I believe in the power of imagery to bring joy.
My work centers on hand-painted repeating patterns, inspired by the fantasy and magical realism stories I love to read.
I work in both traditional and digital mediums.
Long walks with my little dog are one of my favorite pastimes.
If you're interested in collaborating on a project, feel free to reach out and ask about my availability.
