Creativity Prompt: The Power of Repetition

The brain loves to see pattern and repetition. It anticipates what comes next, and finds satisfaction in that recognition. How can you use this in your art?

Today's warm-up prompt:

1. Pick a symbol or mark: Choose a simple shape, line, or image. It could be a dot, a cross, a tiny heart, or even a more abstract form.

2. Repeat it across your canvas:

   • Maybe it's a field of small, consistent marks.

   • Maybe it involves variations in size (small and big).

   • Maybe it’s one large shape repeated overlapping.

   • Consider the density and spacing of your repetitions.

Use this repetition to begin a piece of art (of course, do this multiple times!)

Now, here's the trick: Introduce a disruption that breaks the established pattern.

• A big, bold color could suddenly appear.

• An unusual mark, drastically different from the others, might emerge.

• The size or orientation of the repeated element could abruptly change.

• The texture of the repeated element could shift.

Push, pull, and play with pattern and repetition, and let it take you to a new place. Explore the tension between order and chaos, and see where it leads your creativity.

Share your art, your discoveries, and your process on social media -- tag me @BToddArts and #powerofpattern

Let's push your art further! Join me for an Abstract Studio workshop this year!

Beverly Todd

B. Todd. Arts | Santga Fe Artist Getaway