Amidst all the inherent difficulties of learning mathematics we forget that it is visually based. There are graphs, charts and several types of images associated with numbers and what they mean to us. I am inspired everyday by what math looks like. I am inspired everyday by what math has the potential to look like. Math in of itself is an abstraction of thought. When we learn to count as children, as soon as we apply a number to a picture in terms of quantity, we are taking our first steps into abstract thought. This amazes me. Exploring via drawings and images, math comes alive for me both for its own sake and that of creativity. It made me giggle when I realized I was using math ideas to divide the plane. Snicker, snicker. Using my art to explore mathematics is a relatively stress free way for me to expose myself to different ideas and learn them in my own fashion.
Euler Inspired and Case 6 are inspired by a math question I found on Twitter. What happens if you take a shape, in this case a circle and draw a line across it? What happens when you draw two lines, three lines, etc? Let’s add something else to this, the lines cross themselves once within the interior of the circle. Starting with case 0 (no lines intersecting the circle) and moving up, what do you observe with the number of intersecting lines, intersecting points and regions created by these lines and points? Can you find a pattern?
As simple as that, a potential treasure trove of visual imagery that flows and moves and has inherent meaning beyond the shapes they depict. This is math play. I can take it as far as I would like or skim the top to introduce concepts. Moving and manipulating numbers and drawings in mathematics is the same as using media in art.
Math is a tool to be used how we see fit. If I want to use it to “build” a picture then so be it. Once the mathematical thought has been applied to the canvas, I love using color to bring the drawing to life. My use of color is at times purposeful, other times experimental. I also love the randomness of using whatever colors are left on my palette after completing a work, satisfied that those paints didn’t go to waste!
