I love to paint patterns in watercolor. It is a very calming practice for me, like meditation. I travel with a small travel watercolor kit, a few brushes, and a book to paint into. Rather than sketching and planning, my process begins with painting. With each mark I paint, I develop rules to follow in order to fill the page. I am mindful of the composition of the page as it develops, working to keep a visual balance between what I am painting and the negative space that surrounds it. I can spend hours doing this, and it brings me great joy to share my process.

When I have completed painted patterns on sheets or in my journals, I often scan them and work digitally to make them into repeating patterns in Photoshop. This process is tedious, but when I have the time to tinker I really enjoy the challenge of making paintings that weren't originally intended to repeat into balanced and beautiful seamless patterns.

I hope these patterns of mine convey the joy they bring me as I create them. If you feel like this sort of painting ritual would be relaxing and helpful to you, too, I hope I can inspire you to dust off your paints and set aside some time to relax and create for yourself!