Sunday, May 25, 2014

Inspired by William Morris











Nature based intertwining vines... I like how William Morris could take a few colours, 
and many times only one colour, black ink on white paper and create beautiful flowing patterns.
His influence can still be seen used as surface design on fabrics, wallpaper, books and much more.

approx. 8 1/2" x 11",  in my sketchbook, on heavy watercolor paper, using India ink, pen and brush.

Practicing at Desideratum Art and Jewelry Studio, St. Martins, New Brunswick, Canada

11 comments:

Guillaume said...

I know nothing about William Morris, but they look beautiful.

Penny said...

ooh yummy, my hands are not steady enough to do lovely work like that. Beautiful.

Gwen Buchanan said...

Sorry Guillaume for not explaining who William Morris was. I have added a link telling about him.

Oh the beautiful art you create Penny... I could never match.

Anonymous said...

Lovely!

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

Oh, they are lovely. I've always loved William Morris designs, and the philosophy of the Arts & Crafts movement. I used to live not far from his Oxfordshire home, and have visited there. Your designs are definitely remniniscent. I especially like the rose with the intertwined stem and the illuminated letter.

Jenny Woolf said...

I visited Morris's house at Walthamstow recently. There is a super though fairly small exhibition about his life when at the house, and his work, and they often run temporary exhibitions which relate to him too. Love your designs.

Seth said...

Such beauty and confidence in all these sketches!

rachel said...

Very lovely, Gwen.

Lynne with an e said...

Lovely renderings. The inspiration clearly worked. Perhaps to be incorporated somehow into future jewellery?...

Sharmon Davidson said...

Great sketches! I think those celtic knots can be hard to do, and you've done a lovely job...

Gwen Buchanan said...

Janice, What a treat that must have been. and yes the philosophy of the movement, for sure. Even at that time industry was making it difficult for craftsmen.

Thank you DorthyanneB.

Jenny Woolf,You visited there too!! He had such a wide influence on design especially nature oriented.

Seth, they were great fun to do.

Thanks Rachel!

Lynne with an E, Now that's a thought.. it reminds me of our younger days when we imagined we could make anything.!

Sharmon, I'm sure many of the Morris designs were reflective of viking work too, which I really love.