{"id":5131,"date":"2015-01-08T20:20:07","date_gmt":"2015-01-08T09:20:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kayleenwest.com.au\/portfolio\/?p=5131"},"modified":"2018-03-15T21:47:06","modified_gmt":"2018-03-15T10:47:06","slug":"overview-of-a-very-creative-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kayleenwest.com.au\/portfolio\/overview-of-a-very-creative-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Overview of a VERY Creative Year!"},"content":{"rendered":"

1000 apologies! I neglected posting in December but at least I backed off at a time your inbox would have been bombarded with Christmas promotions and copious amounts of reading anyway.<\/p>\n

But I\u2019m back and charged for 2015! This year is going to ROCK! I can feel it with every part of me and I am READY! Are you?<\/p>\n

Authentically makes us buzz<\/strong><\/h1>\n

I spent every minute outside paid work, experimenting with my craft in 2014, questioning what was developing and where to go from there. It was a busy and exciting year creatively.<\/p>\n

Freelancing, I was blessed with a variety of assignments from toy product design to program covers to interesting logos and adorable picture books.<\/p>\n

\"2014-12-11_lion-steampunk-logo-mockup02\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Illustrating children\u2019s books for a few years has been wonderful but I discovered a desire for additional singular assignments. I really enjoyed doing small series or one off illustrations for jobs. Self-inflicted illustration challenges I committed to last year like Inktober, the 52 week illustration, challenge and the occasional Daily Doodle submission where helpful when I had freedom to be authentic to my own vision.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The many illustrations and sketches produced from the inspiration of the 52 week Illustration Challenge CLICK TO ENLARGE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Producing a book is a marathon task and requires a particular boundary that limits exploration. You need to stay true to the character and style throughout all 25 plus illustrations. It not unlike creating a large body of work for an exhibition that requires the final art pieces to be all part of one series in a particular style. It is a skill and it\u2019s fun, but it is restrictive. As I have consistently produced one picture book after another since late 2012, I need play dates with self- expression.<\/p>\n

By the end of a book I am bursting to download what is now in my head and heart if I haven\u2019t had enough in-between work or experimental time. We all need adequate time for risk-taking. As a result, in addition to books, I am looking for opportunities in surface design and editorial illustration this year.<\/p>\n

I am also looking at teaching in the near future. (More on that soon!)<\/p>\n

My new romance – surface design and patterns<\/strong><\/h1>\n

I can\u2019t tell you how it happened but I it happened late last year. In a matter of days I found myself obsessing over the beauty of pattern design and indulging in the fun creating them.<\/p>\n

\"Surface<\/a>
Surface pattern design: Umbredrops<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Vintage<\/a>
Vintage surface pattern design swatch.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Happy<\/a>
Happy poster print Happy Butterfly. Available as a print here<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"2014-12-18_ADVENT_snowman-branded\"<\/a>Combined with illustration pattern took on a life of its own. As a consequence my newest book, We Worship God, due for release this year by Xist Publishing<\/a>,<\/strong> written by Nancy Streza<\/strong>,<\/a> adopted a hint of pattern in my illustrations.<\/p>\n

\"Children's<\/a>
Children’s illustration from ABC Christian picture book, We Worship God – Xist Publishing 2015 release<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

Unleashing the authenticity<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Sometime we need to stop long enough to align ourselves. January is perfect for this. My family go on a holiday for a couple of weeks and I take a break on my own. This may sound strange but I really need it. I am a step-mum of a very active young tribe and I am very tired by the end of each year. It is hard to get time to reflect seriously enough. Without parental responsibilities (a significant distraction) or too many commitments of any kind, I can catch up on my own thoughts and have time to play unrestricted.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s play – MATS Bootcamp begins\u2026
\n<\/strong><\/h1>\n

\"StaticPromo_ImGoingToBootcamp_300x300\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Surface<\/a>
Surface design: MATS mini assignment: Edwardian Brooches.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This week launched Lilly Roger\u2019s MATS Bootcamp<\/a>, the creative briefs being the main attraction – the springboard to begin the year.<\/p>\n

The first mini assignment exploring Edwardian Brooches. In my self-indulgence as a faux\u2013bachelor (I made that word up), I have produced dozens of sketches in ink and Illustrator already this week, staying up into the night (and morning) and sleeping past 10am \u2013 because I can! I suspect creative ADHD though as the more I create, the more I want to. The ideas keep coming!<\/p>\n

\"Surface<\/a>
Surface design: MATS mini assignment: Edwardian Brooches.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"Surface<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Surface<\/a>
Surface design: MATS mini assignment: Detail of WIP design<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"Surface<\/a><\/p>\n

Belated Happy New Year!<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Sorry, I didn\u2019t even wish you all a Merry Christmas. I pray you have an awesome 2015 everyone!<\/p>\n

Peek into my year summed up:<\/strong><\/h2>\n