Challenge 141: Story Time Through Patterns: 2021
I’m so happy to be back for 2021! This year was off to a rough start, and has really taken a toll physically, mentally, as well as on my normal creative workflow. While I was scrolling mindlessly I found this beautiful bird picture that spoke to me. I started sketching one of the birds just to get myself back in the groove again after not really feeling so motivated to draw lately...and I realized the bird had the same colors as the 2021 Pantone colors of the year which symbolize “a duo of strength, resilience and unrelenting hopefulness, and that together, yellow and gray illuminate the fortitude of the human spirit and showcase the power of unity in times of uncertainty”. - Target
Having been seeing a lot of previews of the new Middle Earth Amazon Series and witnessing the orcs and Sauron's army attack our Minas Tirith last week in real life...I thought to see if Tolkien written any pieces that were about birds. Since C.S. Lewis hung out with him often, I happened to come across the perfect story that I think has the same feel of what 2021 has been like so far and hope that it will be like in the days to come.
C.S. Lewis writing is as follows:
"This year the summer will come true. This year. This year.
Winds will not strip the blossom from the apple trees This year, nor want of rain destroy the peas.
This year time’s nature will no more defeat you, Nor all the promised moments in their passing cheat you.
This time they will not lead you round and back To Autumn, one year older, by the well-worn track.
This year, this year, as all these flowers foretell, We shall escape the circle and undo the spell.
Often deceived, yet open once again your heart, Quick, quick, quick, quick!—the gates are drawn apart."
The 2021 Colors of the Year and the symbolic meanings these colors represent were my main inspiration of this collection with the imagery and metaphors of C.S. Lewis' short story, along with symbols of resilience, easing the passing of grief with grace while making room for the new, how much beauty is in our strength, love, and unity, and faith in hope for better years to come. To read more in-detail about each pattern please follow my instagram!
I hope everyone has a much better new years, and to stay safe and healthy!
-Tina
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