Escher

M.C. Escher

We have all seen the works of M.C. Escher. Whether it be in a classroom or a book, you have to appreciate the ability for Escher to play with the figure/ground to create shapes and images. The seemingly unstable image should been seen as a bistable image, that can reflect both a set of black birds and a set of white birds.

Escher has an ability for creating illusions of space. Are the birds black or are they white? A seemingly novel trick, this ability is useful for many graphic artist and designers today. Understanding the properties of Gestalt, is like learning to use your hands to draw.

Even if you did not understand the properties of Gestalt, you probably know them without even knowing it. We use them everyday as designers and artists.


Image courtesy of http://www.clas.ufl.edu/ipsa/journal/2000_tsur03.shtml

Simple Designs

1" Grid Design.

As a designer, there are basic projects we all must do. This 1"grid design was one of those I had to do. Initially the design was in black and white, but for another project I added the color. Here there is a great deal of rhythm, pattern, shape and line. The smaller shapes unify to create bigger shapes. There seems to be an unstable relationship with the colors and shapes. The purple seems to come forward in the mush of red and yellow, but at the same time the red and yellow are fighting to come to the foreground. There is even a sense of good continuation with some of the sphere shapes.


Even with the simplest of projects, the outcome can be very complex.

Annie's Blue Jeans

Annie's Blue Jeans

79" x 82"

Made from Annie Ruth Collin's old blue jeans tapestry fabric, cotton fabric, cotton velvet, hand dyed wide-wale cotton corduroy, cotton batting and muslin.

Hand quilted by Mensie Pettway of Gee Bend Alabama.

Looking at 'Annie's Blue Jeans' quilt, the usage of line, shape, value, and some rhythm are apparent. Initially, the inner square holds a sense of balance and scale. Each square within this inner square is a solid color which makes it stand out from the shades of blue. The inner square becomes a sort of focal point for the viewer.

Pettway makes good use of line and repetition. There is some rhythm to the entire peace, as each 'ring' of the quilt flows from one to the other, there are no abrupt stops. Shades of blue leading to the climax, the inner square.

The texture reflects the materials used--Blue Jeans.

Pettway takes an age old tradition of quilt making, and brings it back to its roots in a time where quilts are typically made from bought fabrics, not old unused clothing, fabric and other things.

If you would like to see the full gallery of quilt collections, and you are in the Davis, CA area, head over to the Nelson Art Gallery located in UC Davis.