Art 117 (Basic Design I)

Design Elements in Black & White

Ahhh, Magnolias
	This composition, based on the Magnolia tree seed pod (or cone), is an exercise in using differing abstract views of the same object in a single composition. The upper drawing is an asymmetrical close-up of the stem. The middle drawing is a radial abstraction of the cone as viewed from the end of the stem. The lower drawing is a symmetrical abstraction of most of the cone. Note the pedestal & planter implied in the stem of the lower drawing and the magnolia leaves throughout all three drawings. The overall composition flows from bottom to top, as if the object is exploding into flight.

Ahhh, Magnolias

This composition, based on the Magnolia tree seed pod (or cone), is an exercise in using differing abstract views of the same object in a single composition. The upper drawing is an asymmetrical close-up of the stem. The middle drawing is a radial abstraction of the cone as viewed from the end of the stem. The lower drawing is a symmetrical abstraction of most of the cone. Note the pedestal & planter implied in the stem of the lower drawing and the magnolia leaves throughout all three drawings. The overall composition flows from bottom to top, as if the object is exploding into flight.

Bell Tower Abstraction
	This is a stark black-and-white abstraction of the University Center Bell Tower. It is a study in figure/ground reversal. Closer study also reveals two fathers and two sons or two priests/bishops holding bibles and chalices. The frame and mat are in the colors of the actual structure, keeping with the architectural theme.

Zuni Bear Contour / Cross-Contour
	These two compositions are exercises in shape and weight defined by line. The upper drawing uses varying line weights in the outline to imply variations in the weight of the object. The lower drawing uses lines going across the object to suggest undulations in the object's surface. Note that the lines also create a feather/knife pattern on the background. These compositions are based on the Zuni "bear fetish" which is an Indian good luck charm, typically carved from stone.

Zuni Bear Contour / Cross-Contour

These two compositions are exercises in shape and weight defined by line. The upper drawing uses varying line weights in the outline to imply variations in the weight of the object. The lower drawing uses lines going across the object to suggest undulations in the object's surface. Note that the lines also create a feather/knife pattern on the background. These compositions are based on the Zuni "bear fetish" which is an Indian good luck charm, typically carved from stone.

Sawyer Theater / BMS@nite
	This composition started out as a geometric abstraction of Sawyer Theater. The central elements are the spotlights and the seats, with the stage curtain and curved ceiling receding into the background. When the work was complete, I saw that the visual elements could represent the NASCAR night race at Bristol Motor Speedway. You can see the lights, the checkered flag, the wall, the fence and a seat in the composition. This is the interpretation I prefer, hence the chrome frame and brightly colored mat.

Sawyer Theater / BMS@nite

This composition started out as a geometric abstraction of Sawyer Theater. The central elements are the spotlights and the seats, with the stage curtain and curved ceiling receding into the background. When the work was complete, I saw that the visual elements could represent the NASCAR night race at Bristol Motor Speedway. You can see the lights, the checkered flag, the wall, the fence and a seat in the composition. This is the interpretation I prefer, hence the chrome frame and brightly colored mat.

SoGaNoFla Logger
	This composition is a "loader's-eye view" of a load of logs, as seen in the "forests" of South Georgia and North Florida. The drawing was done in one-point geometric perspective from the viewpoint of the person operating the crane loading the logs onto the truck. Note the diminishing details on the trees and logs, as well as the textures of all objects. Also note the tree growing out of the frame in the upper right and the trailer breaking the frame in the lower left.

SoGaNoFla Logger

This composition is a "loader's-eye view" of a load of logs, as seen in the "forests" of South Georgia and North Florida. The drawing was done in one-point geometric perspective from the viewpoint of the person operating the crane loading the logs onto the truck. Note the diminishing details on the trees and logs, as well as the textures of all objects. Also note the tree growing out of the frame in the upper right and the trailer breaking the frame in the lower left.

Jungle³

This cube was part of a class project of about a dozen cubes designed to work together as a whole. The assignment dictated the physical composition of the cube and the color of the drawings. The class determined the restrictions on theme, content and style. The theme was the jungle. Content was jungle creatures, with leaves in all corners as a unifying element. Style restrictions were that the cube had to have one contour design, one cross-contour design, one abstract design, one light side, and one dark side. As a whole, the class did well and the cubes worked well together. This cube has:

Ants - pattern, abstract
Frog - contour
Snake - texture
Spider - cross-contour, dark
Moth - abstract, light
Dragonfly - perspective, transparency

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