Monthly Archives: April 2016

Painters and Optical Devices (Part 1 Vermeer)

Posted on April 30, 2016 by infinite dictionary

While writing a recent post describing how painters have depicted three-dimensional space I started thinking about a related topic that is also interesting. I’m referring to the influence of optical devices – mostly cameras and photography – on the way … Continue reading →

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The Artist’s Studio

Posted on April 27, 2016 by infinite dictionary

One of the biggest transitions for young artists happens when they leave school. All of a sudden they are on their own, no longer surrounded by kindred spirits and with no studio in which to work. The question becomes how … Continue reading →

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The Design Element Of Space

Posted on April 23, 2016 by infinite dictionary

In today’s blog post we talk about space and how artists have depicted it over the years. You can find our complete discussion of space in Chapter 4 of Design: A Beginner’s Handbook. For this post we will anchor the … Continue reading →

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The Mystery of the Mundane: The Art of Tara Donovan

Posted on April 20, 2016 by infinite dictionary

Toothpicks. Plastic straws. Pencil nibs. Straight pins. Plastic drinking cups. Is this the stuff of art? In the hands of someone like the artist Tara Donovan the mundane does become transformed into awe inspiring works of art. rolled sheets of … Continue reading →

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Art Cars

Posted on April 16, 2016 by infinite dictionary

In recent posts we have featured modified trucks and buses from three different countries. These vehicles are obsessively decorated and customized with shapes, colors, textures, patterns and images. In their new condition they are impressive mobile works of art that … Continue reading →

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Design Exercise: Pattern (Part 2)

Posted on April 13, 2016 by infinite dictionary

Joyce Kozloff Last week I presented several quick exercises centered on the design principle of pattern. In this new exercise you’ll make use of the patterns you created. To begin, re-read last week’s post and if you haven’t done so … Continue reading →

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Matatu: The Decorated Minibuses of Kenya

Posted on April 9, 2016 by infinite dictionary

In two previous posts we discussed decorated and modified vehicles in different cultures. These are trucks, buses, taxis and rickshaws that have been transformed to make cultural and artistic statements. In the earlier posts we focused on the obsessively decorated … Continue reading →

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Design Exercise: Pattern

Posted on April 6, 2016 by infinite dictionary

Several recent posts have profiled heavily embellished and patterned trucks. This seems like a good time to introduce a design exercise centered on patterning. If you have a copy of our book “Design: A Beginner’s Handbook” I suggest you refer … Continue reading →

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Decorated and Transformed Japanese Trucks

Posted on April 2, 2016 by infinite dictionary

Trucks, buses, taxis and other commercial vehicles around the world are often transformed by their owners into impressive rolling works of art. Their shapes are modified, their surfaces are decorated and new textures are added. In this series of blog … Continue reading →

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