LORI DUNN SCRATCHBOARD ART
promoting conservation through artistic efforts
Natural Design
8 x 10
AVAILABLE
Human beings were not the first to create patterns and geometric designs. These have occurred in nature since the beginning of time. In fact, complex symmetry and geometry can be found in a variety of life forms. Artists tend to want to view nature as random and imperfect, striving to create works that lessen symmetry and geometry so as to not appear "unnatural", but there are countless examples of animals, vegetation and even geological formations that have patterns and designs that are so mathematically precise it would appear to defy logic.
While mathematicians have been studying such patterns in nature for hundreds of years to come up with models and theories, biologists also study them to determine the evolutionary advantage of such designs. For instance, how does pattern and design allow an animal to camouflage itself or aid in mimicry? This piece evolved from these ideas. Owl butterflies (genus Caligo) have highly patterned under wings unique to each species. The large "eye spots" are thought to ward off predators. I decided to place this species on a palm frond as I felt the simple, linear, geometric design of the leaves would be a stark contrast to the delicate wings giving the piece somewhat of an abstract quality.
My thanks to friend James Adams for sending me a few of his many butterfly photos to use as reference.
