DISCOVERING WHAT I ALREADY KNEW

I've been thinking a lot about my "authentic" style lately. In fact, I woke up with a head full of those thoughts this morning, so I must have been dreaming about it as well. The other day I went through the stack of artsy/craftsy magazines I had accumulated, and just started ripping out any image that really sang to me, without stopping to analyze what it was that I liked about it.  When I was done, I spread them all out over my drawing table in a sort of free-form collage, and just left them there for a couple of days.

Every time I'd come into the room, I'd go over to that table and just stare at it for a while. Eventually, certain things became obvious. For instance, I like a strong focal point, and I prefer simple over busy.

I will always choose bright over pastel, and I especially like my bold colors when combined with a bid of black and a lot of white.

I like the rhythm that strong, consistent handwriting can lend to a page, and I enjoy having a bit of humor thrown in.

Anywho, I've also been going through all of my photos this week, trying to find a few spring-ish ones. I think a blog called "Seasonality" should practice what it preaches, and change with the seasons, don't you? Sooooo, I thought I'd replace those wintry pics in my banner come March. Looking for springy photos reminded me that I should be making a new spring to-do list as well, and that got me to thinkin' -- about the fifty or so pictorial lists I already have under my belt, and how they have morphed over the last four and a half years, from their simple-stick-figure beginnings. Just on a lark, I decided to pull out the binder I keep them in, to see which ones were my favorites, and what it was I liked most about them. Know what the best ones had in common?

Strong focal points...

layouts that were more simple, less busy...

rhythmic handwriting...

a few bold colors plus a little black and a lot of white...

and a healthy dose of humor.

Well whadaya know? My authentic style has been there all along, and I was just too oblivious to notice. Doh!