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Wanderlust Patterns: Frida Loteria Surface Design Collection
Having just finished a biography about Frida Kahlo I was eager to illustrate a portrait of her. She is by far one of the most iconic artists in history, most likely from her very progressive yet challenging life she lead. From a severe accident when she was young that lead her to a lifetime of disabilities and ailments to her tumultuous relationship with Diego Rivera and vivid art work it’s no wonder people honor her. I loved pairing Mexican loteria cards with her portrait. The symbolic nature of the cards seem to pair nicely with her mystic. I also enjoyed creating the serape-inspired striped pattern. It is the perfect complement to…
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Pattern+Place: Colorful Kente Cloth from Ghana
Known for it’s bright, bold colors and geometric patterns, Kente cloth is one of the most recognizable textiles from Africa. Kente cloth weaving originated from the Ashanti Kingdom and Akan people of Southern Ghana. Historically it was worn by royalty and prestigious people for important occasions. With the advent of commercially woven cloths, it is now seen on everyday clothing and items which some feel has diluted the cultural importance of the art form. Traditional weaving of Kente cloth is done in very long 4″ strips. Then, the strips are then sewn together to make fabric. The pattern and color usage are are highly symbolic. For instance, black represents maturation…
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Pattern+Place: Computer History Museum, Silicon Valley
It’s hard to believe some of the beginnings of computer technology as we know it today happened in my own “backyard.” I grew up just blocks away from the famous garage of Hewlett and Packard… and of course, Steve Jobs was not far away in Mountain View dreaming up a simple to use computer with his pal Steve Wozniak. Recently my family and I headed to the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California for an afternoon outing. This museum is a must see for any computer geek, of course… but for me, I couldn’t get over the great patterns of all the vintage hardware and circuit boards. Rows and…
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Pattern+Place: Geometric Exploration in Redwood City
It wasn’t really apparent at first, but once I was home and processing my photos from my outing in Redwood City, California, did I see all the geometric patterns. Window lines, storm drains, grates, balusters, bike racks and more… quite graphic and a great look when all together.
