For this project I created a stylized repeating pattern using two to three motifs.  I chose a peony and a cardinal, the state flower and bird of Indiana, where I'm from.  The third choice was easy--a badger, just like my mascot!

There were many drafts involved in this project.  Of the initial eight thumbnails I made, I decided to develop the second and eighth further.

I loved all of these, but the second one seemed like it had the best potential for playing with shapes in a pattern.

There were actually over seven different rough drafts of the eventually pattern but you could get dizzy looking at that many so here's just a small sample.

I had to use traditional media for much of this project--except for that center version, which I used to plan how the values would look in the finished pattern.

I would very much like to one day redo this piece using my preferred method of digital painting.

The final version of this piece is available for purchase as a print, t-shirts, leggings, and more on Society6 and Redbubble.