Space and Shape

joanboxall

DrawBridge tells the story of my brother Steve (book’s illustrator), and how he communicated through artful elements. Today’s elements are Space and Shape.

The book came out June 1st, 2019. These blogs are an introduction. Non-verbal moments and elements of daily life inspire me, and also inspired Steve. What inspires you?

The seven Elements of Art are a language all their own:

Colour, Form, Line, Space, Shape, Texture (&Pattern), and Value.

They provide a communication tool, a means of expression, a way of being.


Previous blog: Line, Form, Colour and Texture: https://www.joanboxall.com/art-elements-line-texture-form-fun-food-tasting/

Steve capturing Space and Shape in Matisse’s ‘The Moroccans’.*

In the middle of winter,

Consider how the elements,

Space & Shape,

Inform and inspire (our) Nature.

Space above and around us on the Nordic trails.
Space in Art

Is above

And around

Between and within shapes:

Shallow or deep.

Without Space there is no Shape.

Space defines us and gives depth.

Shape in Art
The trees long triangular shapes take us upward, extending our space and shape (if one considers our long shadows!).

Is natural or man-made,     

Flat (2D) as in the photo

Or as stupendous (3D) as it was

Representational or abstract—

With line, colour, value, texture

Or surrounded by edges.

Nature’s Shapes are freeform—

Often rounded or irregular.

Shape in Space
Space and Shape: Free-form and Fabulous.
In Nordic skiing
It’s good to be in Shape
In order to cross Space
Defined by the Elements:
Moving in pendulum—
Lifting out of ourselves
In upward triangles of
Trees and mountains,
Skiing down double lines
T’ward the horizon’s new day.
We ski the man-made track in wonder at the natural elements of Space and Shape.
  • To check out Henri Matisse’s ‘The Moroccans’, click the link. Steve didn’t have the benefit of colour of which Matisse was a Master, nor did Steve see the original work, or know it was Matisse at the time.