A few weeks ago, I experimented with AI to create seamless patterns. My prompt was specific and in line with my style: “seamless pattern, no shadow, roses and leaves, flower buds, closed flowers, vintage; dusty pink, cream, red, sage green, solid background.”
Timeless Roses Pattern
There are people out there telling you how easy it is to develop beautiful digital products with the help of AI—even if you’re not a designer. Sounds good, right?
But what followed were hours of frustration: low-resolution outputs, awkward artifacts, and designs that lacked the flow and soul I strive for. The patterns didn’t feel cohesive, and worse—they didn’t feel like me. In the end, I had a small collection of five floral designs with a vintage touch… that I couldn’t connect with at all.
Vintage Tulip Seamless Pattern
The frustration was real. Time saved? Zero. Joy? None. I even considered giving up—something that rarely happens to me. And when it came to uploading them to my Spoonflower shop, I hesitated. How could I stand behind designs that didn’t reflect my vision or my style?
Hydrangea Vintage Botanical Pattern
Here’s my takeaway: I tried AI for pattern design, and it didn’t work for me. Maybe it’s a tool for others, but for now, I’ll stick to creating my patterns the way I always have—by hand, with intention, and with a connection to my artistic voice. AI might be the future for some, but it’s not my future for pattern design.
Blushing Peonies – Soft Vintage Floral Design
Let me know what you think: Do they work for you, or do you, like me, miss the personal touch? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
At the end of May it was time for the art retreat with Cat Coquillette (instagram.com/catcoq) and Logan Elliott (instagram.com/flammable_entrepreneur), this time in Morocco.
Marrakech
Before the retreat, I spent one night in Marrakech. I was overwhelmed!
A shop in Marrakech.Spice market in Marrakech.
The Art Retreat
The art retreat was once again wonderfully organized by Andra from Uptrek (uptrek.com).
It took place in an old kasbah (= fortress) in the countryside near Agadir. Helène and Hassan had converted the kasbah into an eco-lodge. We were thoroughly spoiled (ecolodgemorocco.com).
It started with the food (tagine, couscous, desserts) and went on from the pool to a salt cave, massages and a hammam. Helène and Hassan showed us the tea ceremony. We watched how argan oil is made, and Helène introduced us to the world of Berber cosmetics. Mbark showed us how our names are written in Arabic and Berber.
An introduction to Arabic and Berber script.
The house was beautifully decorated. A dream for pattern designers! There were rugs everywhere, handcrafted details (every door was a unique carving) and plants.
Fatima’s hand on the carved door to our room.
The watercolor sessions with Cat took place at a long table by the pool.
She also gave portfolio reviews. Cat is always encouraging and generous!
Cat teaching by the pool.
I had decided to work with ink.
Different motifs in ink.
Logan gave us a structured introduction to the topic of “artpreneur” (how do I think like an entrepreneur as an artist?).
Logan talks about “mindset”.
This time, though, I learned the most from the other participants: about Instagram, website design and how to find your style.
What mattered most to me was exchanging ideas in the group.
Adam (instagram.com/adampalmeter) took portrait photos of us again. Hardly anyone went into the photo shoot feeling relaxed. But Adam managed to make us feel good about it, and the photos turned out great again!
The highlight, though, was once again the excursions: to the desert (a mini Sahara), to the sea (the fishing village of Taghazout) and to Agadir (to the souk, and by cable car up to the kasbah). Our guide Said had a lot to tell us.
Back in Marrakech
I had some more time in Marrakech. This time I could really enjoy it. I had learned a lot about the country and its people. I even dared to haggle (not my thing at all) and to eat at a stall on Jemaa El Fna (the big square in the middle of the medina) at night. The couscous tasted fantastic!
With Jacqui (instagram.com/mochiandtheartist) at a rooftop café. Behind us you can see the lights of Jemaa El Fna square.Jemaa El Fna square at night. (Both photos are by Jacqui Wou of @mochiandtheartist. Thank you so much!)
After the Retreat
I came home with a long list of things I want to “implement”. The most important thing will be to put the individual points into practice slowly and steadily. For example, it’s time for an overhaul of my website!
With this blog post, I’ve made a start. I’d love to hear your comments! Have you ever been to Morocco? What was it like?
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