Fractal Drawing #1

Creative Medium

Fractals are those patterns that used to pop on idle computer screens.  They seem as if they are random forms, shaping and reconfiguring with different strands of colors.  Hidden within them are mathematical formulas as they are both art and science for those who have extra insight.  I imagined that we might train ourselves so well in fractal drawing that we might be able to create illusions like the art of iconic Op-Artist, Victor Vasarely.  However, my enthusiasm for the medium was ahead of my current skill level;)

So what is a fractal exactly?

According to the Fractal Foundation:

1.       A fractal is a never-ending pattern.

2.       Fractals are infinitely complex patterns that are self-similar across different scales.

3.       They are created by repeating a simple process over and over in an ongoing feedback loop.

4.       Fractals are images of dynamic systems – the pictures of Chaos.

5.       Geometrically, they exist in between our familiar dimensions.

6.       Fractal patterns are extremely familiar, since nature is full of fractals. Like, trees, rivers, coastlines, mountains, clouds, seashells, hurricanes, etc.

7.       Abstract fractals – such as the Mandelbrot Set – can be generated by a computer calculating a simple equation over and over.

When I registered for a fractal drawing class, this was my expectation.  I anticipated I would learn how to create intricate math inspired patterns and use tools such as rulers, markers, colored pencils, paper and perhaps even the calculator widget on my phone. Not exactly...

Space and Equipment

The session was held in a private, penthouse apartment.  The space was full of light even on a day full of rain.  The windows were open and a fresh breeze was circulating.  I was the third learner of a total of 5 to arrive.  We had a dentist, a homemaker who used to be a teacher, a kindergarten teacher and administrator and a retired teacher plus me --- all moms, >40<.  Since we had a high concentration of experienced educators, the session was geared to us being able to perform the exercises as both learners and facilitators in the future.  Our facilitator for the day was the owner of the BeCreative Studio, Ana Pavičić.  She was well dressed in shirt dress with a recurring geometric pattern of circles and half filled circles.  Her voice was welcoming and she was comfortable in her domain leading us throughout the day with ease.  

We first sat in the living room on couches and chairs around a coffee table that was neatly filled with assorted art supplies as well as snacks. We went around and introduced ourselves as did those who arrived afterwards.  The language was a mix of English and Croatian as they were kind enough to accommodate for me.  The host and our coach for the day informed us that she is a social media consultant, art therapist and healer.  The fractal method she uses in several variations and perhaps sensing we were more motivated by a day of art she refrained from expanding on the healing/therapeutic aspects.  We proceeded to the dining room table that was set for our workshop.

The table was set for 6.  It had boxes of colored pencils pre-sharpened with an equal number and wide variety colors.  There were also smaller boxes with pencil sharpeners and a place for sharpener scraps as well as a few erasers.  We saw a stack of different weights of white paper in a corner near the front of the table.  Ana stood near a white board positioned between the dining room and the kitchen sometimes sitting down beside me.  She distributed the script to each of us which contained a lesson plan and examples of different fractal drawing exercises with images and step by step instructions.  The paper we were to use for practice was generic A4 white copy paper but for fractals that we would color, Ana suggests 120g white A4 sketch paper with a smooth surface.   

The supplies are as important as the colors, tones and shapes will play a key role in the results of our drawings and their interpretation as we would discover.  The colors each have a meaning and that meaning changes with the level of intensity with which we add pressure.  The shapes whether round, square or triangular as well size are windows to our inward state.  Therefore, each box was filled with an exact number and variety of colors with no duplicates and we would use on box of colors each. Ana also showed us several examples of fractals from her previous student sessions to see if we could observe differences and check out our instincts with regards to learning about the person who drew them without being invasive.  

Technique Development

The class was offered mostly in Croatian but if I did not understand or wanted clarification the teacher and my fellow learners were willing and able to pause or repeat in English.  I wanted to go with the flow most of the time so I relaxed and listened whether or not I was getting the exact detail.  There was a script to follow and since it was an 8 hour session, I realized I probably should have translated it in advance but this way was also organic and experimental.  This recollection is drawn from memory after a one week time lapse between the session (2 September 2017) and my thoughts on the process now (9 September 2017).  The exercises we went through allowed us to actually create designs with our eyes closed.  We were given time practice to create specific types of patterns -  waves, circles of different lengths and frequencies with our eyes opened on scrap paper before we tried the eyes closed method.  This technique draws from the research of a Russian psychologist who has become popular in the Balkans as her work is translated in Croatian and she holds workshops to train consultants with her methods.  While generating the fractals can have very different purposes,  the main aim here was to allow our brain waves to unconsciously guide us rather trying to make certain shapes, we had to let go.  We studied on this day two types of fractals, one was called diagnostic and one was called correctional.  In the diagnostic technique, participants were given about 90 seconds to close their eyes and without lifting their black rollerball pens continuously draw curved lines to cover about 70 to 80% of the page with a medium speed.  

The resulting image should reveal scribbles that form overlapping patterns.  These patterns emerge further as the participants go into the second task of filling in smaller shapes in the pattern with dark tones and larger shapes with lighter tones of atleast 50 different colors.  The coloring happens by blindly selecting colors, testing the colors by drawing and recording the colors by drawing solid circles on a color key sheet and then selecting which shapes on the fractal to fill in with the color that has been most recently selected.  Each color selected should fill in between 3 (minimum) and 10 (maximum) shapes on the page at a time.  This is repeated until all shapes in the fractal are colored in and the process can take several hours.  The coloring process is enjoyable, requires a high level of concentration and I felt deep relaxation. There is also a sophisticated system of deciphering these fractals especially the diagnostic ones that reveal ones tied to the past, present and future.  I would suggest anyone curious for further details to do their own research and perhaps sign up for a course (with Ana if geographically feasible).  This was just one in a series.  I do believe I have had my interest peaked and will experiment in future blog posts with fractals of the correctional nature as well as sign up for future sessions where art is the emphasis.

Odinsky-Zec, T.L. Fractal #1d, September 2, 2017

Innovative Application

While led by this gifted trainer, Ana P., I was able to envision mutiple practical applications for fractal drawing on my future creative development as well as learn about how she and other trainers are using these methods.  I believe I can learn more about their analysis techniques as I have had students using mindmaps and storyboards while developing business ideas.  I imagine that the choice of color and the variety of shapes and use of space, my students completed can also be analyzed using some of the techniques they have developed.  I will explore this.  Additionally I will seek out fractals in nature for a photography assignment.  I can also repeat patterns in collages which is a medium I use often.  Lastly, I will explore more resources and applications of fractal for innovation in other industries.

Here are some I intend to explore in the coming week:

Recursive Drawing - http://recursivedrawing.com/

Silvia Cordedda Fractal Photography - https://www.photigy.com/enter-the-fractal-universe-of-silvia-cordedda/

Paul Bourke's Introduction to Fractals - http://paulbourke.net/fractals/fracintro/

Nico's Fractal Machine - https://sciencevsmagic.net/fractal/#0035,0485,5,3,1,1,1

Richard Taylor article in the Smithsonian - http://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/fractal-patterns-nature-and-art-are-aesthetically-pleasing-and-stress-reducing-180962738/

Lance Hosey article in Fast Company - https://www.fastcodesign.com/1672318/a-design-revolution-that-could-lift-humanity

Sally Jo Cunningham's Visual Analogy Research - http://researchcommons.waikato.ac.nz/handle/10289/1173

Carl Jung and Mandala Analysis - https://fractalenlightenment.com/14683/life/carl-jungs-psychological-diagnosis-using-mandalas

Feeling Inspired!