As I’m finding my “NY City legs” – figuring out how to set up my drafting table, hooking up my printer and getting my scanner to work – today’s rendering felt a bit forced. When I finished it, my thought was
“Oh, this isn’t original…I’ve done this exact same design before!”
So I decided to dig through my design archives to see just how much I had plagiarized myself. Much to my surprise, I realized that while today’s design is, indeed, a reworking of a motif that I seem to love, it is significantly different not only in rendering technique but in feel. In a more critical vein, I’d say that I’m still seeking that “Ah hah!” moment with this motif. However, with a little distance (nice that I’ve saved my designs) I see merit in each of the variations to date; proof, too, as George Balanchine once said
“There are no new steps, only new combinations.”
I’ve posted the new variation below with the previous incarnations, in reverse chronological order underneath:
Remember…
“Success is steady progress towards one’s personal goals.”
(Jim Rohn)
We’ll all love knowing which one is your ‘aha!’
Best wishes for the following week.
N
Not that you’ve asked, but #3 really does it for me…..that’s my favorite. It’s the most graceful, the most inevitable. It’s also the simplest.
Hi Helen,
I agree completely on all points with you. I also think #3 is the most “alive” of the renderings. My pen and ink renderings tend to look a little more static and maybe graphic design/cartoonish. I think that nothing beats watercolor for conveying both the softness and shine of metal, and the brilliance of diamonds and other gemstones.
Hope you are well!
Joana