Les Ballet Russes

Have you ever heard of Leon Bakst? No? Well perhaps you have heard of the Ballets Russes, a dance company that was concieved by Sergei Diaghilev, that performed throughout Europe and North and South America between 1909 and 1929.

I did ballet for about 10 of my (much younger) years and I have always loved the world of dance and still go to the ballet regularly. The Ballet Russes has always inspired me because the costumes are so incredibly beautiful, and designed by artists who were very avant garde for the time—from Picasso, Matisse, Chanel and yes, Leon Bakst.

His costumes are bold and bright and I can really imagine that the simple shapes and vibrant colors would be perfect for viewing from a distance while moving across the stage. Here is just a selection of a few I loved in particular. How beautiful that must have been!

He also did set design, and created patterns for textile that were never put into production (as far as anyone knows). Here are a few incredible examples in rich palettes that I found here.

Artist Spotlight: Javier DeRiba

I found the artist Javier DeRiba on thisiscolossal.com. I have always been drawn to colorful street art and this stood out to me. It combines a few of my other loves—color, pattern and tile work. It's different than the in-your-face art you see on walls out on the street. His work is behind the doors and on the floors of dilapidated buildings. He brings the floors back to life, recreating tile work reminiscent of what might have been there before, by stenciling and spraying the patterns right onto the concrete floors. Cool!

Original article by Kate Sierzputowski & Images: thisiscolossal.com

On My Inspiration Board

Do you love Pinterest? Do you collect a gazillion images but then never look back through them? Women are gatherers after all. We love to scoop up pretty things and then store them away. It's in our nature.

I make a point to go back through my boards and gather up images that are speaking to me at that moment. Obviously I love them all because I chose to hoard them in the first place. But it's fun to think of a theme or trend you are feeling at the time and revisit them. 

So what have I been feeling this week? What's on my inspiration board and speaking to me right now? Well it's definitely bold and bright—did you expect anything less from me? 

Click through to my Fabric Textile Print and Pattern board for sources 

Click through to my Fabric Textile Print and Pattern board for sources 

Stripe Stripe Baby

I love patterns of all kinds, and the stripes that are popping up everywhere are making me very happy.  From Ralph Lauren to Dior and Dolce and Gabbana—everyone is showcasing that classic of all classics, in fresh and vibrant colors. My favorite!

Clockwise from top left: Dior, Salvatore Ferragamo, Max Mara, Tommy Hilfiger, Dolce and Gabbana, Ralph Lauren

Images from Vogue.com, photo credit: IndigitalImages

Minted - First Ever Outdoor Challenge

Hey Friends! I have entered the first ever outdoor challenge from Minted. The project was to design a mural for the front of their building in San Francisco. I'd love your vote for any or all of my 3 submissions to the right! You can click on each one and rate them 1 - 5. 

Voting starts today. Please, click on the images here and vote for my Strange Bird murals (if you like them of course). Thank you so much! It would be so fun to win this one and see my art on a wall in the city.

Moyo Magazine - Issue 8

I've just been reading the latest issue of Make it in Design's Moyo Magazine. If you are a lover of all things patterntastic, then take a look through this great FREE online publication that the site offers. It has 112 pages of great interviews, insider tips, tutorials, Q&As with people in the textile industry, and more. Click here for access to Make it in Designs's Moyo Magazine's Issue 8 and prepare to get inspired.  

Valentino Spring 2015 Couture

Ok I'm a little late. The season may have passed but the beauty of this collection will never die. My eyes just eat this right up! There is something so satisfying to me about the rich colors and folk patterns—they just speak to my inner European. The patterns are of another time and place yet so familiar; and now incorporated into our modern lives. I love how appreciated these textiles are. I believe folk style is so loved because people want to cherish past traditions and celebrate where they came from. 

Photo credit: Gianni Pucci  / Indigitalimages.com

Sky's the Limit

I once saw an HP ad that said "don't let your babies grow up to be jpegs." This is exactly the thought I have when I look at the gazillion photos stored in my computer. I have always tried to use my photos in a useful and creative way. These sky images were taken last week, all on the same night within a 20 minute timeframe. 

I love how a pixelated, repeating pattern can be created and the fun is when you look at it up close and realize that each tiny square is a different sky.

You can also click here, here and here to see more of my photography pattern collages. 

Getting Loose

A few weeks ago, I spent an afternoon with some acrylic paint—something I hadn't pulled out in a while. I had fun making lots of splashes, daubs and strokes. This past week I spent time making some loose patterns using my playtime markings.

© Katja Ollendorff
©Katja Ollendorff
© Katja Ollendorff
© Katja Ollendorff

And here is the result of that playing. Some simple, yet bold designs in bright fruity colors.


September Instagram Fave: Nitch

I often talk about visual inspiration, but every so often I'll see a quote or some words that resonate with me and have major impact. One of my favorite places that combines both of these things is NITCH. This is a wonderful Instagram account (and website nitch.com) with amazing portraits of people you know, and some you may not—accompanied by their inspirational quotes. I could read this for hours!

Take a gander and allow yourself some time to reflect.




Have bloomin' great day!

I woke up super early again and decided to do my "morning design flow" exercise. I get out my sketchbook first thing every day after waking to see what comes. I used to keep a dream journal, but now I'm letting my thoughts come out as designs. Here's what happened today.

At 6:00 AM I began sketching, and by 7:00 I had a motif I thought I could play with.

© Katja OIlendorff
© Katja Ollendorff
Flowerflw3.jpg
© Katja Ollendorff

 

Then I brought the motif into Illustrator and did an image trace so the lines were nice and clean.

I dragged the motif into PS and worked on the layout and then the color. 

A few hours later...and voila! 

A pattern is born. 

© Katja Ollendorff

© Katja Ollendorff

© Katja Ollendorff

© Katja Ollendorff

© Katja Ollendorff

I couldn't help but make some coordinates to go along with the primary design. And then a gazillion color changes later... I landed here.

New Instagram Account @katja_designs

Hey Friends! I decided to start another instagram feed dedicated solely to my work . I will include some of my personal artwork, sketches, illustrations, inspiration and of course my pattern designs! 

So if you are already a follower of my regular account @katjaollendorff, thanks a million, and don't go anywhere! 

If you'd like to add more katja #folkyfreshness to your feed, please join the fun @katja_designs. 

 

 

Collections

I like to change things up, so I'm always working on something different—experimenting with different mediums and painting techniques. I love to move from design to design, but sometimes I get swept away and need to remember to focus in on the bigger picture—and think about how the design could work as part of a collection. 

This has been my focus this week as I go back through my individual designs to see which would be good candidates to elaborate on. I actually really enjoy doing this, I just don't do it enough.

Take a peek at a few collections I have put together. What do you think?

© Katja Ollendorff
© Katja Ollendorff
© Katja Ollendorff
© Katja Ollendorff
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© Katja Ollendorff


Janet Echelman Installation

Wowza! I came across this amazing outdoor art installation on thisiscolossal.com. Janet Echelman, the artist, has created a knit sculpture of twine netting that spans 600 feet across and floats 600 ft. high above the ground. From day to night its appearance changes—with vibrant colors that glow, triggered by tension sensors as it blows in the wind. It is currently located along the Boston waterfront. How much do I want to be in the grass looking up at that at night!

Read more about it here.

All images from thisiscolossal.com.



Designer Spotlight: Missoni 2016

I was really taken with the new line from Missoni for 2016. They have always been at the forefront of bold and colorful knitwear and this collection just took my breath away. I then come to read on Style.com, that this collection was inspired by the great Sonia Delauney. No wonder I love it! There is currently an exhibit at the Tate Modern in London celebrating Delauney's vibrant artwork. You can really see the influence of her work in these Missoni pieces. I find it very exciting to see how great artists and designers can influence each other.

Who influences and inspires you?

Sonia Delauney - The EY Tate Exhibition, London

Sonia Delauney - The EY Tate Exhibition, London

Source: Missoni images are from Style.com

Letting It Flow in Black & White

The "letting it flow" piece.

I was in a bit of a creative slump so I decided to just sit with a large white page for a bit. Instead of worrying about a palette, I got out some black free-flowing acrylic (love that stuff!) and just filled a large round brush with it. I wanted to see what would happen if I approached a design with absolutely no intention—no aforethought as to what I wanted the design to become. Most times I go in with an idea or vision of what I want. 

It felt really good to let the ink just flow on the page and see what would happen naturally. I had been using Sharpie's lately to draw motifs and it felt great to switch mediums and try something different. Something looser. Before I knew it, I had filled my page, and I was super pleased with the result. It actually got me excited to do more, so now I can confidently say my block is down!

Through this experiment for myself, I have learned that starting a design not thinking about the end result, allowed my inner creative voice do its thing. I urge you to try it the next time you don't think you have anything left in you, because I bet you do!

Hair Tapestry

Huh? What?! Yes, you read right. As you may have noticed in the past few years, weaving and macrame have both made a resurgence in the crafting and art worlds. Whether you are hanging a colorful beauty on your wall, or a potted plant from the ceiling I love the texture and color these pieces add to a room. But would you try this latest trend for your head?

Thanks to Tiffany Decaux and Lou Teasdale, the stylists who created these looks.

Tiffany Decaux hair weaving

Tiffany Decaux hair weaving

Lou Teasdale hair weaving 

Lou Teasdale hair weaving 

Tiffany Decaux

Tiffany Decaux

Lou Teasdale hair weaving on Instagram

Lou Teasdale hair weaving on Instagram

If you choose to stick with wall hangings, here are a  few cool Etsy sellers who bring a modern twist to the craft. And take a look at my Stitch Knit Weave Pinterest board for more inspiring finds! 

Slow Down Productions

Slow Down Productions

Rowan Studios

Rowan Studios

Rowan Studios

Rowan Studios

Jujujust

Jujujust

Fox and Quail

Fox and Quail


July Instagram Fave: @BreezeBlockhead

A slightly belated July Instagram favorite for you. My friend @home_schooling (another great one to follow) turned me on to this amazing feed by Sam Marshall @breezeblockhead that showcases a huge variety of breezeway blocks. I never even knew that's what they were called! I have always liked them, and I'm going to be on the lookout to find more of these around town!

Please click through to @breezeblockhead's feed to see original sources.

Source: https://instagram.com/breezeblockhead/