NEW ARCHITECTURAL ART "TURQUOISE GLOW", FLORIDA TRIP

"Turquoise Glow"  14" X 11",  Lori LaBerge  2017

A blue glow coming from a window was the start of this piece. Lines and shapes of concrete walls and sheds near the building were reshaped for the work. Two longer downward diagonals (the top of the green area and the lower black line) are balanced by a shorter upward white diagonal on the right which starts close to midway between them. 

It is interesting to work on balance without symmetry. It can be created from color, size, shape and opposites work quite nicely. Large vs. small, bright vs. dull, light vs. dark, vertical vs. horizontal, etc. The turquoise areas consist of one being horizontal, larger and darker and one being vertical, smaller and lighter.

We went to visit my son in Florida over the weekend and I took a few photos of rooftops in the area to use for future reference.

Great finds at the local used book store

Art Exercise--

Create a symmetrical design and start changing it to create an asymmetrical one using opposites for balance.

ABSTRACT "CONCRETE BLUE", ARCHITECTURE AND COMPOSITION

"Concrete Blue"  14" X 11",  Lori LaBerge  2017

We took daily walks while visiting California. One day we passed a bright blue building. It stayed in my mind not only due to the color, but also the angle on top. I drew a sketch on scrap paper that night and transferred it to a sketchbook upon returning home.

The challenge was to make an interesting composition out of the scene. It is all about relationships to lead the eye to the white and blue areas. The red lines above show how the top and bottom of the lilac wall section are angled to lead to the bottom of the white rectangle. The top of the light rust section leads to the top of the blue wall. The area on top where gold and green meet leads down to the left side of the white.

The lighter values form a sideways "Y" shape leading to and framing the blue building while the darker values are laid out in a triangular format. A curve at the top breaks up use of straight lines. 

Frank Lloyd Wright said, "Architecture is the scientific art of making structures express ideas". I am led to think about how the 2D abstraction of architectural forms should be approached. In reviewing some of my sketches, there is a depiction of the relationship between the focal point of the work and the shapes around it. The question then becomes "How do those shapes enhance the focus?"

MORE GEOMETRIC SHAPES IN PROGRESS, ART IN GREENSBORO

 Untitled work in progress  14" X 11"  Lori LaBerge  2017

Another work was started this week based on downtown Los Angeles. This piece has a larger variety of shapes than my two previous architectural works leading to more color decisions. Colors were chosen to represent the feel of being near the water with a variety of light, dark, mottled, mixed and abrashed wool used.

The photo shows how values are dispersed so far. The darker values are around the edges and will continue to the left edge to form a U shape surrounding the lighter values, which are in the center and will continue to the upper area.

We drove over to Greensboro to deliver artwork and happened upon an exhibit of Richard Fennell's works at Greenhill.  I had a wonderful time exploring his use of brushstrokes and color. The works invite you into their world.

 Works by Richard Fennell at Greenhill exhibit

Works by Richard Fennell at Greenhill exhibit

One of my favorites.  I love the way this house was half hidden lending a sense of mystery. Work by Richard Fennell at Greenhill exhibit

NEW ARCHITECTURAL GEOMETRIC ABSTRACT STARTED

Work in progress,  14" X 11"  Lori LaBerge  2017

A title for this work has not been decided on yet. It is based on city buildings. The white half circle developed from the shape on top of one of the doors on a building, though I placed it sideways. The black circle was divided into 2/3 on the right and 1/3 on the left.

The textured gray section has bits of red running through it to play off of the red sections of the work. There is a bright turquoise and a duller turquoise running through it, also. This gives the gray a bluer look overall. It works well with the red and I'll see how it works once the pink is added.

The idea was drawn out in a sketchbook. There are plenty of erasures before I get to something workable. The photo shows where I had originally placed a triangle in the back. If I think a composition is headed in the right direction, even if future changes may be needed, a check mark is placed next to it.

 Color planning on work,  Lori LaBerge  2017

Photoshop was used to work with color planning. A left section of the black was added to the original sketch along with an angle on the bottom gray.  I wanted to repeat the angle from the red for more cohesion. This will be added to the hooking as I work.

The piece reminds me a bit of mid-century modern design with the bold shapes and wild colors. Mid-century modern was set from approximately the 1940's to the 1960's. It focused on graphic design and included furniture and architectural designs. It was a time when pop art and other ideas were developing. 

Enjoy some wild mid-century artwork and color by clicking here. It may bring back some memories if you were born in the 50's or 60's.

EXPLORING THE TRIANGLE

As yet untitled sketch for artwork created while looking at rooftops,  Lori LaBerge  2017

Some of my recent work has consisted more and more of triangular shapes.Three recent sketches include the form. It was interesting to work on how the triangles relate to each other and the shapes around them. The rectangular bar entering from the right breaks into the bottom of the larger triangle creating depth. The smaller triangle could be viewed as abutting the triangle with the circle or could merely be seen as a section of a triangle peeking out from behind it. 

 as yet untitled sketch for artwork,  Lori LaBerge  2017

The above sketch was also based on buildings and skyline. Trying to avoid depth in the final artwork would be difficult. The sketch, in similarity to the first sketch, already appears to have depth due to overlapping shapes.

as yet untitled sketch for artwork,  Lori LaBerge  2017

The work above was developed from trees in various yards. The straight lines are a division of property. Variance of triangle shapes add interest while color and hooking direction will add more to the work as it develops. The line lengths need to be varied more.

 Architecture makes extensive use of isosceles and equilateral triangles due to their strength.  Each of a triangle's sides act as support for the other sides.

While in Scotland a few years ago we visited the Star Pyramid near Stirling Castle. The pyramid consists of four triangular sides made of sandstone. There are marble bible pages on each side and the structure is sometimes referred to as the Martyr's Pyramid. A chamber was created inside the pyramid before it was completed where a Bible and the Confession of Faith (the beliefs of the Reformed church) were placed.

 A ceiling forming both isosceles(above and below center) and equilateral triangles (on sides)

Two triangular rooftops at either end of a structure

If you wish to explore triangles and architecture more, enjoy some amazing examples by scrolling through Yellowstone  here.

ARCHITECTURAL INSPIRATION

We planned an early Valentine's Day and drove over to Charlotte for dinner and a basketball game. I couldn't help but notice how all the wonderful lines in the city's architecture lend themselves to abstract art. Enjoy!

Lots of gray lines broken by a beautiful turquoise

Billowing plastic wrap breaking up the straight lines on a construction site.

An interesting shape of bright blue sky peeking between brown buildings.

Neutral palette with a block of brick red.

The ups and downs along rooftops.

What architectural features of city buildings interest you?