Sophie Ashdown

Over the Easter Break I went to Oxfordshire for the weekend with my partner. We did a very long walk along the river and into Oxford city.

Along the way I mentioned to him that I liked to look for patterns as I walk, and he turned out to be excellent at spotting great patterns, especially in nature.

So here are some interesting patterns we saw along the way…

The pattern of the dandelion is regular and ordered yet also somewhat haphazard and irregular. I love that the petals are not all the same length and not all spaced evenly, but still give a first impression of being ordered. Of course I also love how they start from the centre and work their way outwards, something that is reflected in many of my pieces.

I absolutely LOVE this dandelion in its “fluffy” stage. We were lucky to see this one that was almost perfectly full. I love the symmetry and order of it. The multitude of seed heads. The pure whiteness against the green. It reminds me of a recent piece I made:

I think I will try to make another piece reflecting the fluffy dandelion. Perhaps white on black? Hmm it has got me thinking now.

A simple but effective pattern of triangles on this bridge.

A haphazard pattern formed by the dry mud.

Not a pattern but still an interesting and imposing structure. I’d never been this close to one before and there was something quite majestic about it when looking up from the bottom.

These power cables have a lovely mirrored symmetry.

This plant is actual tiny, smaller than the palm of my hand but still it holds such intricacy. Each shoot a collection of separate symmetrical leaves that form a beautiful overall structure.

I spotted this fence with its various fish and took a photo since it is more of a work of art rather than a pattern…

…but then I turned around and saw this. Is this the sheet that they cut the fish shapes from, then decided to use this too? Either way it’s a lovely effect.

This old iron bridge is covered in rivets(?) and made me think what if each of those was a light? It would be lit up like the Albert bridge in London or more like the lights in Brighton!

A sweet little window of a barge.

A loudly quacking duck but with gorgeous plumage…

I managed to get a photo of it eventually as it waddled along. I love the layers of feathers and the pattern they make.

I had to take a photo of this sign since I really like the logo. It feels like something I could use in one of pieces. I like how the lines at the bottom op left pop out from the main structure. This could be a way to bring more freeform into my work.

Even ancient doors have patterns!

Beautiful plumage…

It’s almost like an aboriginal painting.

I love the distinct intricacy of the dots on each individual feather. (This feather was found not plucked!)

So this walk was mostly in the countryside, and it’s wonderful to see how nature can create such beautiful patterns.

I think these pattern walks might become a “thing” for me!