Simple Accents …Floral Friday

To paraphrase one of my former art teachers: simplicity is not the absence of complexity, such lack is often the consequence of simplicity. Simplicity is the result of essential ingredients regarding the purpose and place of an artifact. The lack of complexity only means the object is uncomplicated. An uncomplicated object does not necessarily translate to simplicity. Mrs. Frey and her husband-colleague created paintings and ceramics with elegance and simplicity as the inspiration.

Her students discovered that simplicity is one of the most difficult forms to do well. Our efforts came off contrived and inauthentic. We learned that simplicity requires a lot of practice. While such simplicity is difficult to emulate, it is good to keep it in mind as an attainable ideal. With Mrs. Frey in mind, it’s fun not to take simplicity too seriously and just have fun experimenting with it. Today’s projects hopefully demonstrate this.

The bright orange glass cylinder vase contains mostly dried elements. basic lines, spirals, a sphere, and tiny cone shapes provide just enough complexity to balance the composition.

The Dartman earthenware studio vase seems to be designed with dried elements in mind. There is just enough basic complexity to keep the simple vase visually interesting.

A stainless steel bud vase with a twist appears hygienically spare. A combination of dried and faux elements adds needed detail and warmth.

By the way: I have been informed by WordPress that I have been with them for ten-years, as of today. This is the 3,659th bluejayblog post on this platform.

Ciao

The Blue Jay of Happiness quotes legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright. “Simplicity and repose are the qualities that measure the true value of any work of art.”