Materials and Process

• Found tin object
• Gold and brown acrylic paint

1. I found a small object with an interesting shape.
2. I began by dividing the circle into fourths.
3. Then I painted freehand.

Artist's Narrative

For the second practicum I wanted to mimic some of the functional earthenware that we had seen in class. I found an "antiqued" tin on the ground with a beautiful rust-colored interior. I decided to compose an interlaced pattern inside it. At the Walters Art Museum I saw some dishes and wood panels that were dark brown with delicate gold filigree inlays. I tried to imitate this look with gold and brown acrylic paint using a tiny brush.

Marking each quadrant, I began to paint freehand. I became totally absorbed in replicating each stroke and dot. Soon, the gold began to overwhelm the ground, so I went in with dark brown to define and heighten each part. Unlike when I usually paint, time seemed to stand still. I found myself soothed and comforted by my little dish.

What resulted is in my mind a very sensitive and elegant little pattern. The interlacing of the lines and forms appears to be complete. This exercise brought me an appreciation of the sublime that must have carried Islamic artisans through their work.

Teacher's Comment

The use of rotational symmetry to structure design is often noted in Islamic ceramics, where symmetry-breaking is also always evident.