Arts Explorer #4: Looking for Patterns in Urban Settings & Nature

Art word of the week: Line

     The text defines a line as "a visible mark made by an artistic tool, such as a crayon, moved across a surface such as paper" (Schirrmacher & Fox, 2009, p. 135). A line usually is said to direct the movement or form of a pattern which uses the dimensions of size, direction, length, width and weight. A line can be long, short, tall, thick, light, big, little, horizontal, vertical,up, down etc. The classifications of a line seem to be endless which may be why we are able to observe lines in our everyday encounters with our immediate worlds. 

     In venturing out into my "world" I found many examples of patterns that I would usually discard. When thinking about pattern, what usually comes to mind is an argyle, polka- dot, zigzag world. However when exploring my own environment my notions were quickly turned down. 

     I went on this pattern exploration activity within my home community which is in Markham. I've lived within the same community for all of my life however never once thought about walking around my neighborhood in search for pattern. Here are some of my findings:

      This pattern is one found within the fence around my backward. As seen, there are horizontal lines that "suggest calm, quite, and a sleeping position" (Schirrmacher & Fox, 2009, p. 135), vertical lines that "suggest stability and strength" (Schirrmacher & Fox, 2009, p. 135) and diagonal lines that "suggest tension and activity" (Schirrmacher & Fox, 2009, p. 135). I love how the lines create a diamond type shape/ pattern at the top as well. In also looking at this piece, there is pattern within the grain of the wood as horizontal and vertical lines are embedded within the actual wood. 

     The next pattern I stumbled upon was this unique and raw form of tire tracks in the snow/ ice along my street. I love how all of the lines seem so perfectly un- perfect. Some of the lines are deeper and more observable than others, however the form seems to be consistent- long and short lines, and horizontal and vertical lines. 

     This example of pattern is seen within a chained fence. I love the way the vertical lines intersect and create a diamond shape pattern that seems more zigzag/ wiggly than the previous fence example. This example of a pattern to me, represents a more spontaneous feeling rather than the controlled lines and patterns of the wooden fence. 

     This next pattern is one that I believe is a little more abstract, and therefore more subjective. When looking at this image I see an irregular pattern with thick, skinny, vertical and horizontal lines. I also notice the pattern of large trunks at the bottom of the image however as we move up, the trunk shrinks, and the branches take over the pattern in a uncontrolled however seemingly continuous way. 

     This pattern is one that is found within my home- it is a window covering for my side door. Again, the pattern of the horizontal and vertical lines create this interesting piece. However there is another element of pattern within this example- a frosted feathering texture within the middle and outer panels of the covering. 
     Implementing an activity such as nature walks with children will help them gain an awareness for everyday patterns, and familiarize them with shapes, colour, and size. It seems like such an easy task, but it is one that gets children thinking about concepts cognitively, mathematically, and socially. Encouraging children to think about what they see, and how it relates to other aspects of their lives is quite the task, but one that will foster growth and development within their learning.  

     Through this Arts Explorer it is quite evident that within everything we see, there is a pattern. Some patterns are little more clear- cut and concrete, where within others you may have to dig a little deeper. 

Schirrmacher, R. , & Englebright Fox, J. . (2009). Art & creative development for young children. Belmont, California : Delmar Cengage Learning.