Pattern collection inspired by the movie Xanadu and the roller disco culture of the 1970s and 80s. This set most closely reminds me of my own days spent at the local roller rink. Motifs include skates, stars, streamers, disco balls, and rainbow waves. Teenage me would have totally rocked this jacket. Pattern Design | Spring 2020 | Jamie Runnells
This collection of wild and vibrant patterns was inspired by the fun and funky fashion of Xanadu and the bold, energetic aesthetic of 1980s roller disco culture. Drawing from the film’s retro-futuristic neon glow, flowing fabrics, and dynamic movement, I aimed to capture the spirit of an era where music, art, and fashion collided—embracing the carefree fun, confidence, and unapologetic charm of kitsch. Kitsch (noun): Art, design, or objects that are considered tacky, gaudy, or overly sentimental, yet often appreciated for their nostalgic, playful, or ironic charm. It is characterized by bold colors, exaggerated forms, and a lack of subtlety, [...]
For the final assignment in my Pattern Design class, we were tasked with creating a ‘culture collection’—a pattern inspired by a film, TV series, novel, album, or other cultural reference. Naturally, I chose one of my favorite films: the 1980s cult classic Xanadu as my inspiration. A dazzling fusion of roller disco, Greek mythology, and neon-soaked aesthetics, Xanadu is a visual and musical spectacle that perfectly captures the era’s bold energy. I became so immersed in the creative process that instead of designing just three patterns, I ended up developing three full collections—each drawing from different visual elements of the [...]
OMG y'all! I am flipping out because my #metoo work was chosen as a Grand Prize winner in PDNedu's 2020 Student Photo Contest!!!!!! I'm so excited, surprised, honored, and grateful for the positive news I'm tearing up. I had honestly forgotten I had entered this competition. When I checked my email and saw an email telling me I was a winner I thought the email was spam, but then I went to PDNedu's site and saw that not only was I a winner but I was THE Grand Prize winner in the Fine Art & Personal Work category!!! I am [...]
Daruma dolls are traditional Japanese dolls that symbolize perseverance and good luck. The dolls come with blank eyes that you fill in. You draw in one eye when you make a wish or set a goal, and then fill in the other eye once that wish or goal has come true. I first encountered Daruma dolls when I visited Japan in 2015 and loved their quirky appearance so working on this project was really fun. I drew this little guy in Adobe Illustrator and created several color variations for a fun and fresh contemporary look. Pattern Design | Spring 2020 [...]
Happy to announce my tintype 'Enola' was accepted into JSU's 47th Annual Juried Student Show. This tintype and case were all made by me. The image is a dry plate tintype of my grandmother created using a digital negative. The case and matt were laser cut and engraved and assembled by hand. This piece and the others in the series took a ridiculous amount of time and work so I'm excited for the opportunity to show it off. 47th Annual Juried Student Show Jacksonville State University | Department of Art Hammond Gallery | March 10th - 31st, 2020 Opening Reception: [...]
Three pieces of my work were accepted for JSU's 2020 Women's History Month Exhibition. Two pigment prints (the original silver gelatins were in another show) 'Happy Family' and 'Stepfather' and my board game Escape from Tox City. Women's History Month Exhibition Jacksonville State University | Student Gallery Opening Reception: March 10th, 5-7 PM Call for Entry: This is a call for entry to all women, artists, poets, writers, individuals, and the like. We would like to invite you to enter our inaugural Women's History Month Exhibition. We are looking for art works dealing with gender, politics, women, history, and everything [...]
