Pattern Portraits

Pattern Portraits

Mixed Media

Problem Statment:

Create a pattern on paper that represents two of the prompts below. Ultimately you will take a self portrait photograph with your pattern overtop of the portrait

Benchmarks:

1. Thumbnail Sketches

2. Refined thumbnail sketches

3. Final Design

4. Pattern Photograph (turned in on canvas)

5. Portraits with projector

6. Artist Statement

Artistic Resources:

- Patterns in art

- Patterns in Culture

- Pattern Types

- Pattern

Problem Statement

Artist Examples

Delita Martin

About the artist:

Delita Martin (b. 1972, Conroe, Texas) creates large-scale prints onto which she draws, sews, collages, and paints. Martin claims space for her subjects, particularly black women, creating a powerful presence that simultaneously highlights the historical absence of black bodies in Western art.

Through her work, Martin aims to create a new iconography for African Americans based on African tradition, personal recollections, and physical materials. A recurring theme throughout Martin’s work is exploring interconnections between past and present generations. She conveys these connections through symbols such as circles, a shape representative of the moon and symbolic of the female, and birds, which represent the human spirit. Masks, inspired by the Sowei and Ife masks of West Africa, appear in many of Martin’s works, signifying transition between this world and the spirit world. Her use of color is also symbolic, particularly the color blue, which she associates with spirituality.

Additionally, Martin incorporates materials and imagery linked to her personal memory, and likens this process to quilting, a skill she learned from her grandmother. Expertly layering all of these elements, Martin visualizes the liminal space between the physical and spiritual worlds.

Types of Patterns

Teacher Example

Prompts & Initial Brainstorming

Task:

1. Complete the worksheet based on each prompt.

2. Draw a thumbnail (in color) for each prompt below (over 2 sketchbook pages)

Prompts:

1. Create a pattern that relates to your heritage

Cannot do: Flags

Tips: Research the art, architecture, national flower, etc.

- Teacher example: My family is from Lithuania. The country is known for their intricate wood working patterns. I could research these patterns and mimic them within my work.

2. Create a pattern that showcases your modern culture

Cannot do: logos

Tips: think about things you do that define who you are

- Teacher example: Photography and food are a huge part of my life. For photography, I can use textures and patterns found in film, film reels, numbers to create my work. For food, I can use a close up texture of my favorite food, cooking utensils, etc.

3. Use an object / symbol from a memorable place

Cannot do: logos

Tips: Where are you from? What is the favorite place you have gone?

- Teacher example: Maine is one of my favorite places. It's where I transitioned from being an immature college kid to a functional adult in society. I can use objects from the specific place (pine cones, trees, green wooden planks, clouds). I can use memorable items from my time there, I can use things that represent the state (whoopie pies, lobster, rocky coast).

4. Finish the prompt: I am like _____, because...

Cannot do: logos

Tips: it does not need to be a living object. You can be like a book, or water bottle.

- Teacher example: I am like a cat because I like to to take naps during the day. (Go down the rabbit hole with ideas. This can be expanded to other icons / a hammock, the beach, a tree, a bed, grass, a blanket, etc.)

5. Create a pattern based on a symbol that represents your family dynamic.

Cannot do: hearts

Tips: Ask questions about your family? Do you all get along? What are you most successful at as a family? Least successful? What do you all like to do? What do you wish you could change?

- Teacher example: My brother and I were very close growing up. We have since drifted apart as we both started families and are not living in the same town as each other. Time is difficult to manage with small children, jobs, activities etc. I can use objects that represent time (clock, sand, water), represent distance (maps, roads, planes), represent transition over time (childhood toys now broken).

6. Create a pattern based on a pivotal moment in your life

Cannot do: ?

Tips: What has been your biggest learning experience? What is a moment that has stuck with you over time?

- Teacher example: When I was a sophomore in high school. My team just lost a lacrosse game, I was very angry. I was the last one off the field carrying the water bottles. I was mad and threw them against the fence. I did not know that the varsity coach was right behind me. He stopped me and told me "you look like a 5 year old when you do something like that". It taught me a lot about how to present myself in public, how to be a leader and understand that perception is a big part of how people define you. For my pattern, I can do a chain link fence, gatorade / green water bottles with orange lids