Pattern At Play: Expansion & Exposure Challenge
Story Adapted From Pattern Magazine – Volume 4
Spring has a way of opening the world, and our work, just a bit wider. Expansion is the making: learning one new thing, adding one new step, letting a simple idea grow. Exposure is the sharing: giving that work a bit of sunlight so it can be found. Paired together, they turn small efforts into momentum.
For me, this looks like beginning with something honest and humble: a single stem. I clip it from the garden (or pick it up at the market), then slow down long enough to notice its curve, its edges, and its tiny shadows. Sometimes I sketch it, and other times I press it. And sometimes I just photograph it in good light. From there, the story unfolds: first a motif, then a pattern, and finally a surface where it can live in the world.
That is the heart of this season’s challenge: to let a small beginning become visible.
The Challenge
Choose a plant: a leaf, a flower, or a small twig. Draw it, press it in a book, or take a photo of it. Use that plant to make one simple design, and then turn your design into a repeating pattern.
When you share your work, post three pictures in order so we can follow along: first the plant, next your design, and last the finished pattern (perfect for an Instagram carousel!). Tag me at @bonniechristine so I can see it and cheer you on!
Pressing Tips
If you’re pressing your specimen, keep it simple and gentle. In a flower press, layer paper, plant, and paper again. Tighten the straps and let it dry for one to two weeks. If you’re using a book, tuck the plant between two sheets of paper inside a heavy volume, stack more books on top, and allow it to sit for one to three weeks. When your piece is ready, handle it with care as you scan or photograph; natural window light and a soft background work wonders.
Your creativity will grow in small, steady steps, and especially when you share it. I can’t wait to see what you choose to draw, the motif you build, and the pattern it becomes. From a single stem to a full story … show us what you’ve designed!
Wanting More?
Get more creative inspiration in Volume 4 of Pattern Magazine.
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