Marks into Lines (30% Off Sale too!)

So, we are on the third month of the Virtual Art Box, each month with a different focus but each designed to build on the last. This weekend, I’m sharing most of this week’s VAB nudge, the weekly bonus the Art Boxers get, with you all because, well,it’s short-ish, you might be wondering what we are up to and if the VAB is right for you, and, also,  it’s really such a fun and easy design concept but so dramatic. Are you up for some easy energy?

The February VAB’s theme was “Intention” which is so important in that it works with so much that you do—even non-creative things like working on relationships, financial goals, health goals, career objectives, etc.—so that theme will always be relevant. But maybe March’s theme, “Marks”, and “Lines” from this month, don’t seem as easily meshed. But they sure can be!

For one, lines are often marks, just elongated. And secondly, marks often make up implicit lines, as discussed in the VAB design immersive this month, creating highly energetic lines and design. Let me show you what I mean.

Lynn Yuhr, in her pieces she calls Meditative Magic below, seems to be all about marks, primarily tiny dots, but they’re all lining up to create outlines and directional lines. She could have just drawn the lines but the spaces in between create a bit of tension and energy because of the missing spaces. But our eyes see the lines in the lined-up dots and fill in the gaps to see them as connected, not separate marks. By the way, Lynn is set to teach a class on this at the Bead & Button show in Milwaukee, rescheduled for August 23-29.

Here is one of my favorite paper artists, Amy Genser, who uses individually wound up rolls of colored paper, to create her wonderful flowing compositions. From pools of texture and color, thick dense lines composed of a variety of individual “marks” reach until they become implied lines as her paper bits become scattered at the end of the thin tendril-like lines. In this case, lines are created by the marks being physically connected as well as implies at the ends.

And here is a familiar example of linear marks creating flowing lines, an approach that creates a dramatic sense of movement. Alisa Lariushkina translated Van Gogh’s Starry Night into a rich, dimensional, representation of the masterpiece that emphasizes the drama imparted by Van Gogh’s choices of brush stroke. She is just using bits of clay as her mark, but the effect is the same—the linear characteristics of the marks line up to create flow, direction, and energy.

You got this right? It’s a powerful combination that I encourage you to try when flow, energy, or tension is wanted in a piece.

The stay-ins are getting extended and so is our Sale!

30% off All Publications!

Get something for yourself or share your passion with friends and family
People are getting more and more creative stuck in the house. Now is the time to get friends and family hooked on polymer! Send them a pretty Polymer Journeys or a second of The Polymer Studio magazines. Or fill in your library!

The discount is good on all books and magazines. (Discount won’t apply to the Virtual Art Box subscriptions or sale packages but those are discounted so heavily already!)
Use coupon code: SHARE30

Offer good through April 30, 2020. Discount doesn’t apply to sale items, packages, or the Virtual Art Box subscriptions.

***If you don’t need books or magazines, do consider gifting yourself something from any of my partnering advertisers you see here. They are also all small businesses, keeping the boat afloat as best they can right now so if you need a package of good cheer, they will be very happy to send goodies your way!**

Your Creative Eye

Ok, let’s keep this short and sweet, not just because it is a holiday for many, but I also know a lot of people are finding they lack enthusiasm for their creative work right now due to the distractions of our world or a lack of direction without shows and classes to look forward to, but that doesn’t mean you can’t become more familiar and more adept in your sense and use of design. Maybe this week, you can just look for other ways that marks and lines converge to create imagery, rhythm, direction, and energy in both artwork and in nature. You can just take photographs instead of creating at the studio table if you can’t seem to sit down and stay focused. Just keep a creative eye open to see the beauty and the wonder of design all around you, from the texture in a stone wall to leaves on the sidewalk to the flow of flowers on the hills as nature cycles into the new season that is beginning to show itself.

I do hope you are somewhere that allows you to get out for a walk and breathe in some nature or at least see the world that is comfortingly going through its transformations as it always does just beyond the storm that we are all sheltering from.

In the meantime, stay safe, healthy, connected, and creative, always.