Pattern and repetition everywhere....

June 19 -

It has been interesting to watch how repetition and pattern, developed in the Zentangle process, has crept into some of my work.  When I think about the brain research done by Howard Gardner, he refers to pattern, duplication, and repetition all of the time.  In fact, these words are the essence of his definitions for each of the 8.5+++ intelligences he has identified.  I think he might be on to something!!

Sea grass at the aquarium.  Acrylic on gessoboard.  Click on image to enlarge. 

After a visit to a wonderful, research aquarium in Sarasota, Florida, I wanted to capture the tropical colors of one of the fish in a new aquarium.  Dave said that he had caught several triggerfish in the Gulf of Mexico, but in the sunlight, they look are a shiny, silvery-gray color.  In the lighting of the aquarium, this beauty takes on the vibrant colors of the tropics, with shimmering teal, aqua, lavendar, and lime green.  Above is the sea grass in the tank of the new exhibit.  Notice the similarities to the grass in the ink-line drawing of the Zentangle.  

The textured bottom of the Triggerfish tank at the Mote Aquarium.  Acrylic on gessoboard.  Click on image to enlarge.

I am curious to know if the colors used in the display tank at the aquarium represent the filtered sunlight as it looks under the water in the Gulf.  Notice that the rocks on the bottom of the tank have a similar look to the rocks under the grass and the river.   Don't be thrown off by the shadow of the plant, there is still just a pattern of circular shapes in a pattern to form a textured flowing, surface.  I see patterns and repetition much more readily now, and hope to continue putting these tools to good use.