At Pattern Bliss blog I'll be sharing my favorite surface pattern design inspirations, trends, a sneak peek my pattern designs, my favorite shoes, and, of course, cute dog pictures. Plus you'll get a glimpse of what goes on inside my studio in my sketchbook series.
Does it feel like summer in your neighborhood? I live in the mountains of Colorado and getting out my paints and escaping to an imaginary an enchanted garden is something I do to feel warm when the temps are in the 40s in June! Hope you enjoy this floral fantasy. The floral above is a detail of a new design--more details on the pattern collection to come.
Read MoreIt's always fun to grab the paints and go wild with mark making tools. Some interesting textures and colors happen while stamping away. This project is just beginning. Getting messy in the studio today.
As always, you can find more of my designs over on Instagram here: http://www.instagram.com/chris_coco_olson/
Read MoreLiving in Colorado has so many perks. The mountain air and high altitude sunshine is fuel for creativity. New illustration of a morning run in the mountains. This is a detail of my mixed media art.
Read MoreI have a new collection of tropical patterns available for licensing on my website. Diving into the iridescent botanical trend, my designs feature a magical enchanted jungle motif. All designs are hand drawn by me. A bright and dreamy color palette perfect for spring and summer features many of my favorite popsicle colors.
Read MoreI just added four new color ways for my Dulce pattern in the Balance Collection. Dulce means sweetness and that inspired the tropical sorbet vibe of the four new color options.
For details on this collection, click on the "Read More" link below.
Read MoreSpring meadows and wildflowers inspire the pattern story for my Teagan print. The hand painted blooms in this design feel fluid and unrestrained. The print is influenced by the trend of bolder mark-making and heavier brushstrokes for a more expressive approach to the popular floral. This more abstract print style features bold daubs of paint. For details on this print, see the full article below.
Read MoreThis dreamy feminine floral speaks to my Scandinavian roots. It’s called Astrid and means beautiful goddess in Swedish.
The floral pattern features my photographs with digital manipulations to create a feminine modern design. The print is influenced by the hyper real nature trend, artistic abstraction, blurred painterly effects, and textured illusion. The ethereal color palette has an energy well suited for active wear with a blush hues, warm orange, and violet hues. I have always been inspired by the colors found in nature. In the Astrid pattern the colors are heightened with a saturated, synthetic quality. The dark background complements the brightness and floating quality of the floral and addis to the overall dramatic effect. For details on this print, see the full article below
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Read MoreWhere do patterns begin. For me, painting and sketching is the first step. I play with color palettes and textures. The fun part is letting the art happen freely. No rules. That's the beauty of surface design today. Once I develop a design I like, no matter the size. No matter how many paint blobs or ink spatters or tears in the paper, everything can be tweaked in Photoshop or Illustrator.
Read MoreMary Tyler Moore inspired me to dream big as a kid. I grew up in Minneapolis and for several years lived near the TV home of Mary Richards on The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
Mary Tyler Moore told us to "Take chances, make mistakes. That's how you grow."
Read MoreDiving into the iridescent botanical trend. A detail of my floral pattern in Photoshop. #wip #SS18
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