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Artists who paints in oil en plein aire. Member of the three member Plein Aire Cottage Artists. Members: Mary Rose Holmes, Violetta Chandler and Helen Tilston

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Fibonacci, Art and a New Perspective

Oil painting, painted en plein air by Helen tilston. "Best in Show"


The Fibonacci system  gives a whole new meaning to being on a "learning curve".
It has opened my eyes to seeing differently.  Flowers, trees, fruit, waves and shells have all captured my attention.

The ocean has always been a fascination and now I shall be looking for a storm to study and paint the waves.
 




This short video describes the Fibonacci formula.


I am reminded of when I learned Gregg shorthand,  I became obsessed and to this day I still use shorthand in meetings.

What are your thoughts on Fibonacci?  Have you used it?





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65 comments:

  1. hostess of the humble bungalowJuly 7, 2012 at 10:54 PM

    Congratulations Helen!
    That's a lovely painting.

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  2. Heather RobinsonJuly 7, 2012 at 11:40 PM

    Helen, Congratulations! Your painting is so beautiful and incredibly evocative.

    I had learned about Fibonacci a long time ago but had forgotten about it--thank you for the video too. Very, very interesting.

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    1. helen tilstonJuly 8, 2012 at 7:18 PM

      Hello Heather

      Your good wishes and support means much to me.

      Of course you would have studied Fibonacci. It is fascinating and complex - I am obsessing about it.
      Helenx

      Delete
  3. labergerebasqueJuly 8, 2012 at 1:32 AM

    WOW, all I can say is wow…LOVE your painting!!! Felicitations! I find that your paintings are “alive”, they breathe and I feel the “breeze” . SOMEDAY I will have to find a way to purchase your ART :)

    Thank you for reminding me of the Fibonaci numbers. I think my son (computer engineer) mentioned it to me when he was 15 years old or rather he told me how EVERYTHING in the universe was made up of a particular sequence of numbers… his words were it is “proof of God’s existence”. Thank you for sharing, because it really is a fascinating video.

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    1. helen tilstonJuly 8, 2012 at 7:19 PM

      Hello my friend and how kind of you to say such beautiful things about my painting. You are most kind.

      I am glad you found the video of interest. Your son sounds like an intelligent young man

      Delete
  4. GillianJuly 8, 2012 at 2:27 AM

    Hello Helen,
    Thanks for liking the shutters. At least I got what I wanted in the end. I wish I could paint like you too but my progress is slow and often disappointing. I'm going to review the Fibonacci concept though and have a go using it and a palette knife. I've used it in simple designs for stripes and/or colours in knitting where large and small blocks or stripes needed some formula for a balanced arrangement and it always worked well.
    Cheers Gillian

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    1. helen tilstonJuly 8, 2012 at 7:21 PM

      Hello Gillian

      Thank you for your comment and compliments.

      You have many talents and I also knit. The Fibonacci concept is indeed fascinating and fascinates me

      Helenxx

      Delete
  5. AnnaJuly 8, 2012 at 3:01 AM

    Dear Helen,

    I actually do not believe that the universe is, or could possibly be subject to some number sequence and that patterns rule the World! Why? Because us, humans, invented numbers and spend our whole life making patterns, sequences, expecting things to happen in a certain way, because that is what our limited intellect can cope with!

    We are so presumptuos that we have "invented" calendars, we have reduced nature and creation to a number of categories created by ... guess who? US! Because we are limited. We have even categorized ourselves "Homo Sapiens"... SAPIENS? That's funny! We know nothing!

    And I do understand the need, born of the inability to really understand not just the world, but ourselves: who are we, where did we come from? In order to explain this we have even invented religions and churches (do we need churches when we have access to nature?)

    Dear Helen, to me, the connection between art and Fibonacci is... ZERO! Art is a spontaneous activity and, though I understand one has to have an awareness of perspective, etc, one might also declare that abstract art is the only kind of art which expresses the human soul, as it has no restriction of shape, time and dimension.

    Same can be said about poetry: it doesn't need punctuation, or rhyme... there is rhythm in poetry: the beat of the artist's heart. You have probably read the works of Pablo Neruda, so full of passion, symbolism and meaning.

    I think you are trying to provoke us (assiduos readers of your lovely blog.) Aren't you, Helen? As, if you were influenced by French Impressionism, as I think you were, you will agree with me that art, real art is spontaneous and cannot be restricted by numbers or sequences of any kind!

    Don't you think, Helen, that what attracts you to a beautiful rose, is the overall beauty of it, its general harmonious shape, its colour and... most of all... its scent! Baudelaire teaches! I don't want to count petals: I want to be trasported by the scent, travel to another dimension I can capture with my eyes closed.

    I just want to use numbers to measure things and add up, when I go shopping. Art... is something else! And I know you agree!

    CIAO!

    ANNA
    xx

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    1. helen tilstonJuly 8, 2012 at 7:32 PM

      Dearest Anna

      I love your thorough and thoughtful response. I thought that you would have a bias and blinded vision of the Fibonacci system. After all he is a fellow Italian. Does that not count for something? I can just imagine your conversation with him were he alive today!!!

      I do feel the Fibonacci system, just like perspective, the golden mien and the many rules associated with art are all excellent and we can learn from them. Then to file them away. Like perspective once learned, one then automatically practices this automatically without thinking or being conscious.

      You logic Anna is deja vous. You have my mother's common sense and sense of questioning. Her favourite expression, translated from Gaelic was " ah sure, paper never refused ink"

      I so agree with your paragraph on the rose.

      I thank you for taking the time to express your opinion so eloquently.

      Wishing you a week of joy

      Helen xx

      Delete
  6. UnknownJuly 8, 2012 at 3:03 AM

    Divine Proportion - a beautiful and amazing thing. I think even interior decorators use the ratio when placing furniture.

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    1. helen tilstonJuly 8, 2012 at 7:34 PM

      Hello Jacqueline

      I think you are right that many interior designers are conscious of the Fibonacci thought. Like many thinks, we learn and then automatically practice.

      Helenxx

      Delete
  7. Sam Hoffer / My Carolina KitchenJuly 8, 2012 at 3:26 AM

    Congratulations on your beautiful painting and the blue ribbon. I had to smile at your comment about shorthand. I can still remember some from high school. I'm not familiar with the Fibonacci system, but it sounds fascinating, especially painting the waves of the ocean when a storm comes. I find the ocean alluring.
    Sam

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    1. helen tilstonJuly 8, 2012 at 7:35 PM

      Hello Sam

      Thank you for your kind comment. How interesting you also learned shorthand. I wish I was by the ocean today, the hear here is oppressive.

      Helenx

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  8. SuzeJuly 8, 2012 at 4:02 AM

    Congratulations on being honored, Helen. And thank you for the video -- I have been curious about the Fibonacci series since I read about it, recently.

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    1. helen tilstonJuly 8, 2012 at 7:37 PM

      Hi Suze

      Lovely to hear from you and thanks for your good wishes.
      It is a fascinating subject and there is much to learn.

      Helenxx

      Delete
  9. CherylJuly 8, 2012 at 4:26 AM

    Helen, you are just so talented! Congratulations on your Blue Ribbon!!!! Best in Show...WOW

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    1. helen tilstonJuly 8, 2012 at 7:37 PM

      Hello Cheryl

      Thank you for your generous and kind comment. I hope you are keeping well

      Helen xx

      Delete
  10. A Super DilettanteJuly 8, 2012 at 7:03 AM

    My dearest Helen, many congratulations on "Best in Show"!! I'm so happy for you. How I love your painting of a bright yellow house! I think I could look at it forever. Thank you so much for sharing and may god grant you many more success and happiness!!

    PS. I shall listen to my wireless for the tennis match with Andy Murray! Hope he wins!!

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    1. helen tilstonJuly 8, 2012 at 7:39 PM

      Dearest ASD

      Thank you for such kind words and blessings. I think you and I like yellow, from your profile image.

      So sorry Andy did not win.

      Wishing you a week of joy and discovery

      Helen xx

      Delete
  11. Pura VidaJuly 8, 2012 at 8:57 AM

    How wonderful to see that blue ribbon on that beautiful painting! Spectacular!

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    1. helen tilstonJuly 8, 2012 at 7:41 PM

      Thank you for your kind words. I was indeed very surprised and it was unexpected. There were 84 artists exhibiting three paintings each.

      Hope your week is special

      Helen xx

      Delete
  12. rjerdeeJuly 8, 2012 at 11:06 AM

    well, it does sound something like "the golden mean" that i 've used in designing a composition

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    1. helen tilstonJuly 8, 2012 at 7:42 PM

      Hello Becky

      Yes the golden mean is similar.
      Hope you have a wonderful week

      Helenx

      Delete
  13. A Bit of the BlarneyJuly 8, 2012 at 12:22 PM

    My heartiest congratulations!!! Cathy

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    1. helen tilstonJuly 8, 2012 at 7:42 PM

      Cathy

      Thank you for this warm wish

      To a great week

      Helenxx

      Delete
  14. chateau chicJuly 8, 2012 at 3:21 PM

    Gorgeous painting and congratulations on the blue ribbon!
    Thanks so much for stopping by, Mary Alice

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    1. helen tilstonJuly 8, 2012 at 7:44 PM

      Hello Mary Alice

      Thank you for your good wishes and I hope your week is very special

      Helen x

      Delete
  15. UnknownJuly 8, 2012 at 11:01 PM

    Helen,

    Congrats of the beautiful painting and "Best of Show". I think so many things are still a mystery in life and what breaks the mystery open is using our minds. Continuing to learn and bring forth what we know from our past and marry it with the future. Makes us rich and multi-faceted like many other mysteries yet untold.

    Bette

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    1. helen tilstonJuly 9, 2012 at 5:06 PM

      Hello Bette

      Thank you kindly for your good wishes.

      You are so right when you say so much in life is still a mystery. I also feel we must constantly learn and improve ourselves and reading and the internet provide us with opinions and solutions.
      How little we still know and so much to learn

      Have a great week

      Helenxx

      Delete
  16. La Petite GalleryJuly 9, 2012 at 2:38 AM

    Helen,
    Never used it, sounds a little complicated. It was very interesting. Thanks for the comment. I wonder how long I will be using this cane and walker? Maybe I'll get back to painting, I fell behind in the house and yard work during the Hip thing. Be well, I love your art.
    yvonne

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    1. helen tilstonJuly 9, 2012 at 5:11 PM

      Hello Yvonne

      It is indeed complicated and also interesting. I will be keeping you in prayer as you recover and I hope you paint.
      Thank you for your kind comment

      Have a brilliant week

      Helenxx

      Delete
  17. SumanJuly 9, 2012 at 3:25 AM

    Hello Helen, many congratulations for the much deserved laurels. It is a lovely piece of art; such a rich palette and so very Mediterranean in appeal. Do correct me if I'm wrong there!
    Thank you for introducing the Fibonacci; although a bit complicated for a scatterbrain like me, it still is quite intriguing.

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    1. helen tilstonJuly 9, 2012 at 5:15 PM

      Hello Suman

      You are so kind and generous with you compliment and I am very grateful. The house is in St. Petersburg, Florida. I was born and educated in Ireland. I worked in travel and spent a great deal of time in Hawaii and the Caribbean, where the colours of the ocean and architecture have, no doubt, influenced me.
      Suman, you are a million miles away from a scatterbrain, sorry I do not buy that.

      My best for a week of joy

      Helen xx

      Delete
  18. MrsLittleJeansJuly 9, 2012 at 8:58 AM

    Dear Helen, Congratulations from the three of us....what a well-deserved honor. Now I am going to view the video. xx

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    1. helen tilstonJuly 9, 2012 at 5:17 PM

      Hello Mona

      How sweet of you to send such beautiful wishes. Did my two four legged friends really view my painting? Hee Hee
      I hope your week is full of joy
      Helen xx

      Delete
    2. helen tilstonJuly 9, 2012 at 5:18 PM

      Hello Mona

      Thank you for pulling my two 4 legged friends away from their meditation to view my painting. Your kind wishes are greatly appreciated.
      Helen xx

      Delete
  19. sandaJuly 9, 2012 at 9:01 AM

    Hi Helen
    I learn something new each day I live, and today I learned about the Fibonacci system! I loved the video so thank you for educating we "unitiated" in the world of art of painting techniques! And a hearty congratulations on your Blue Ribbon; a lovely painting indeed!
    Have a great week!
    Sanda

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    1. helen tilstonJuly 9, 2012 at 5:19 PM

      Hello Sanda

      Thanks for your kind wishes and support. I am pleased you found the Fibonnacci to be of interest. It is fascinating.
      Wishing you a wonderful week

      Helen xx

      Delete
  20. Lisa GordonJuly 9, 2012 at 9:20 AM

    I teach mathematics and statistics at the university level, Helen, and I so wish I could get my students this excited about something mathematical! There is definitely a certain magic to it....

    Happy Monday to you my friend.
    xo.

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    1. helen tilstonJuly 9, 2012 at 5:21 PM

      Hello Lisa

      I wish I could attend your classes as I have no doubt you are a brilliant professor. Sadly some students do not appreciate this until later in life. Do you suppose we all learn when we are ready?

      Have a glorious week
      Helen xx

      Delete
  21. Acanthus and AcornJuly 9, 2012 at 10:25 AM

    Helen,
    Congrats, a truly wonderful lively painting! I love painting of storms so I shall look forward to seeing what you create!
    xo,
    ~R

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    1. helen tilstonJuly 9, 2012 at 5:23 PM

      Hello Rebecca

      Your kind support and good wishes are very appreciated.
      I will remember to post my picture, following the storm
      Wishing you a week of joy

      Helen xx

      Delete
  22. Pamela Terry and EdwardJuly 9, 2012 at 8:46 PM

    Warm congratulations on that most well-deserved blue ribbon!!
    Gorgeous.

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    1. helen tilstonJuly 10, 2012 at 8:20 PM

      Hello Pamela

      Many thanks. Your opinion is valued.

      Helenxx

      Delete
  23. 24 CornersJuly 10, 2012 at 12:30 AM

    This gave me chills Helen, I hadn't heard of Fibonacci before, I'm fascinated by it all...it's a wondrous thing to have a peek into the God's designing process...the divine connection of beauty & logic is spectacular!!!

    Many congratulations on your well deserved Blue Ribbon...and thank you for sharing this!
    xo J~

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    1. helen tilstonJuly 10, 2012 at 8:22 PM

      Hello Jessica
      I am happy to hear of your fascination for the Fibonacci formula. I have lots to learn.

      Thank you for your visit and compliments

      Helen xx

      Delete
  24. PCovi July 10, 2012 at 4:46 AM

    Well deserved prize!! such a beautiful sunny painting!
    You made me think of the Suzuki method of violin...which I might do once I get my kids raised :)

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    1. helen tilstonJuly 10, 2012 at 8:24 PM

      Hello Auntie Bliss

      Now I am learning something new and I will be researching the Suzuki method of violin playing

      I am impressed that you can play such a beautiful instrument
      Helen xx

      Delete
  25. valerietilsten59.blogspot.comJuly 10, 2012 at 10:25 AM

    Congratulations on your blue ribbon ..Its a beautiful painting Helen.
    Not being of a mathmatical mind.. I have never heard of Fibonacci. Its incredible.. I can see why you would want to investigate more, it will surely be a help to you. I must say though Helen, that i simply love your style of art and the cottage artists.. its stunning work.
    Happy Tuesday to you.
    Enjoy your summer days.
    fond wishes
    val x x x

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    1. helen tilstonJuly 10, 2012 at 8:25 PM

      Hello Valerie

      You are so kind and supportive and I thank you. I value the opinion of a fellow artist very much.

      Hope your week is very special

      Helenxx

      Delete
  26. ~Lavender Dreamer~July 10, 2012 at 6:29 PM

    I am not familiar with this painting technique but I am in awe of the ocean and can imagine how inspired you must be to paint it! Your painting in the photo is beautiful, my friend. You are always learning...isn't that a wonderful way to live your life!

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    1. helen tilstonJuly 10, 2012 at 8:27 PM

      Hello Diane

      Thank for stopping by and I admire you for your constant path to learning and exploring.. It truly makes life so interesting and challenging and when a subject is understood,it is such a marvelous feeling.
      Wishing you a great week

      Helen xx

      Delete
  27. Mr PaulJuly 12, 2012 at 10:53 AM

    I think I'll be looking for those curves in everything now. The ocean will never look the same, Thanks for a great insight into Fibonacci.

    Paul:)

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  28. helen tilstonJuly 12, 2012 at 5:45 PM

    Hello Paul

    A hundred thousand welcomes to my blog and thank you for following.
    I am so happy to read that you find Fibonacci of interest.
    Have a wonderful weekend

    Helen xx

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  29. Jeanne HenriquesJuly 12, 2012 at 10:24 PM

    I am absolutely delighted for you Helen! Best in Show, what an honour and so well deserving. I enjoyed watching the video and seeing the touch of God in everything we see and do. Back in the day..when I painted, I used the curve over and over again in my paintings. I thought I was going crazy, now I know I was not...they have a richer meaning to me now. I mist unwrap them one day...it has been years. Congratulations Helen! Did you keep the painting or sell it? xx

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    1. helen tilstonJuly 14, 2012 at 6:05 PM

      Hello Jeanne

      Thank you for your good wishes. I am glad you like the Fibonacci video. I would love to see your paintings and the curve.
      I did sell the painting. I did, however, do back and paint a larger 20 x 20 painting which was one of my entries and hung at the Florence Biennale, as my featured painting. This one I have kept.

      Bon Voyage

      Delete
  30. gillyflowerJuly 13, 2012 at 1:44 AM

    Beautiful painting, i love the bright colours and the contrast of light and deep shadow. Does so remind me of wonderful happy holidays in the hot South of France, with the bright coloured house, red flowers (maybe geraniums?) and that tiny tantalising glimpse of the turquoise pool. Congratulations on your well deserved award!
    I have come across the Fibonacci sequence before, and this reminds me of how fascinating it all is. What amazing co-incidences in the structures and formation of nature all around us, it must mean something - too much of a co-incidence for it not to - there is a system and pattern here in our natural world.How and why? I am always deeply fascinated by this sort of theory and you have prompted me to want to read more.
    I think its also great that the lovely Anna (i just love her blog and wonderful recipes) speaks out and speaks her mind too!Its great to share ideas and i can imagine what an exciting discussion could take place were we all gathered in person!!!
    Have a great weekend Helen, and thankyou for sharing this wonderful post. I hope you find your painting is even more absorbing and satisfying with these new thoughts and challenges in your mind.
    Gill xx

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    1. helen tilstonJuly 14, 2012 at 6:15 PM

      Hello Gill

      Thank you for your positive critique of my painting. The light in St. Petersburg, Florida is quite spectacular. This is where I painted this particularly painting, en plein air.
      I was absolutely shocked and surprised when I discovered I won. There were many famous artists competing, some had agents and were quite clannish. It was a paint out event and what is quite funny is just as I began painting this scene, I probably had one line down, when a homeless, inebriated man came up to me and said "you are the best painter of the whole lot" I thanked him. Perhaps it was his prayers.

      I am happy you are enjoying the Fibonacci system.

      Like you, I love Anna dearly and she has a brilliant blog.
      She is a wonderful conversationalist and writer and yes, what fun to all be together one day just chatting.

      A lovely thought

      Helenxx

      Delete
  31. I Dream OfJuly 13, 2012 at 8:47 AM

    Lovely, lovely painting. Definitely best in show. We were just discussing the Fibonacci sequence in my botanically illustration glass light week as a tool for accurately capturing a subject. I love the mysteries of the natural world.
    Have a beautiful weekend!

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    1. helen tilstonJuly 14, 2012 at 6:18 PM

      Thank you kindly for visiting and your sweet words on my painting.
      How interesting and coincidental that you would be also discussing Fibonacci. I hope you post on this.

      May your week be very special too.

      Helen xx

      Delete
  32. UnknownJuly 13, 2012 at 11:14 PM

    Hi Helen Congratulations - that is truly inspirational and isn't the Fibonacci sequence just extraordinary - never ceases to amaze me - so perfect in every way. Thank you for dropping by and I am so looking forward to reading your past posts. Have a lovely weekend. Francesca

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    1. helen tilstonJuly 14, 2012 at 6:19 PM

      Hello Francesca

      Thank you for your kind words. Welcome to my blog and thank you for following.

      Wishing you a week of joy

      Helen xx

      Delete
  33. MicheleJuly 14, 2012 at 1:15 PM

    Ah So amazing, inspirational, truly, It is God, our creator, the maker, designer of all.

    God Bless You,
    Michele
    Pearl 13.1

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    1. helen tilstonJuly 14, 2012 at 6:20 PM

      Hello Michelle

      Thank you for visiting and following my blog. Your words are just beautiful.

      Wishing you a blessed week

      Helen xx

      Delete

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