Be free, fly high... dream a little too!

Hello and welcome to Nice and Fancy. You are in the middle of the great New Year's Let's fly! - Bloghop where over 50 surface pattern designers are showcasing their work. We hope you will find the whole thing fun and inspiring. After visiting Nicky Ovitt's lovely blog in California, U.S.A. I hope you will now enjoy my post.

My name is Dawn Clarkson and I am a graphic designer 'turned' surface pattern designer. With more than 20 years of design experience I am now pursuing my dream of becoming a full-time surface designer. 
My style can be considered bold and audace, I experiment with different techniques and materials, and use both hand drawn and computer styles. Often inspired by nature my patterns are colourful and generally contain complicated repeats.
I have designed three patterns especially for the Let's fly! - Bloghop. The theme 'Let's fly!' inspired me to think of KITES, the freedom they represent and the bright and happy atmosphere they evoke. I have created two seamless patterns and a placement print complete with a few inspirational words 'Be free, fly high', which could be used as a greetings card. My colour palette is governed by Pantone's colour of the year Emerald -  Pantone17-5641. 

Emerald Kites

Ditsy Kites

Whilst creating these designs it made me think closely about how I work and I have realised that I consider hard work and professionalism as a natural part of my work process. At this point I decided my everyday routine is missing a bit of freedom, a few dreams, the ability to fly, the hunger to achieve. I need to inject a large dose of these qualities into my work so I have decided that my motto for 2013 will be 'Be free, fly high!'

Greetings card design

I have many plans for 2013 and wish to realise as many of these goals as possible. Although I have enjoyed years of success in my graphic design career I now want to feel the satisfaction of creating patterns that will enrich the lives of the people who own them. I cannot hide the fact that I would love to see my designs on different home products and on warm and tactile fabrics.

Here's hoping I have inspired you to return and visit my blog again and maybe become a regular follower? All of my news and plans for 2013 I will share here on this blog so please make a note and come back soon. Now it is time for you to continue your journey on the great Let's fly! - Bloghop, I wish you a super day and I hope we all entertain and inspire you. We have all worked hard to complete today's achievement, it has involved a lot of teamwork. Please continue the Let's fly! - Bloghop by joining Julianne Hall of jookiku who is based in Australia.