The Creative Process

Summer’s creations are done entirely in pen (and the occasional bit of watercolor), using drafting materials and other tools to create symmetry and mathematical precision. Each piece moves through the same general process: concept design, drafting and inking, and coloring.

Concept Design

Summer begins every design with a single fundamental concept. This idea is comprised of two aspects: a symbol (or symbols) and its physical embodiment. Usually, she will have been meditating on a particular topic for some time before the physical representation begins to take form. Other times, she will feel intuitively drawn to a symbol, motif, or other visual aspect of a mythology, without conscious intent.

After her interest begins to grow, the intention behind the piece — the essential meaning underlying its unique form — begins to manifest. Summer will then begin sketching a number of variants on the original concept, and ultimately choose one as the basis for the piece. However, this concept is typically very basic; the complexity will spontaneously emerge over time.

Drafting and Inking

The drafting aspect of the process is by far the most technical part of creating Summer’s artwork. Summer will grid out the paper in pencil and delineate basic shapes using a compass and protractor. Once she has settled on the final form and dimensions of the piece, she will begin to ink them in using black ink. The black ink on white paper epitomizes the fundamental duality of our material world, the necessity of separation to delineate Self. Much as we must have the space between objects in order for distinct objects to exist, much as we require night in order for distinguish day, death for us to comprehend life, the black lines indelibly lay down boundaries between the existence of an object and the absence of it, demarcating distinct lines between unique aspects. This is less about separation and more about annotation.

Coloring

Coloring is by far the most fun aspect of the creative process to Summer! Although it is exciting to dream up the design, and to watch it slowly unfold in unexpected ways, adding color adds vitality and complexity to a world of starker, colder polarities. This part of the process is the most intuitive aspect of the process, and the artist goes almost entirely by feeling and sensing when she is determining which colors to use. She works bit by bit from region to region. Inking and coloring are often intermingled rather than completely separate steps; Summer will often work on a small detail in pencil and ink, then color it in immediately.

Overall, the process is a passionate labor, intense at times and quiet at times. Sometimes inspiration will strike and she will work tirelessly for days; there are also moments when she needs to step away and return with fresh eyes. But when it is done… it is done! There is no vacillation, no indecision. Once the creation has been birthed into the world, the process is fully complete.