As the Daily Doodles experiment winds down, I’d like to offer something very special to my readers.  Abstract surface designer, Jasmine Aye, offered to write a bit of analysis on my Daily Doodles.  I have always thought that would it be incredibly cool to get an outside perspective on my work. Upon reading Jasmine’s insights, I couldn’t resist but post them publicly with her blessing.  I hope you enjoy reading as much as I did!

Throughout college, I learned about associating meanings with my work. There were some classes that put so much emphasis on the meaning that the craft suffered. Then there were other classes with the exact opposite perspective: the minor technical details of the work were more important than the message.

The one thing I learned from my time in school was that having an art degree didn’t make you an artist; and attributing a concept to your work didn’t make your work valuable.

In Vas’ post, The Story Behind My Daily Doodles, she discusses the value of abstract art being issued by the viewer and places her work in a vulnerable space by saying the Doodles are ultimately fun exercises; they have no direct meaning to her. As a fellow artist, I must say that I am very impressed by her frankness about her work.

I agree that the viewer assigns value to each piece, from abstract digital paintings to functional ceramic dishes, but color and line help the artist’s audience make a decision about the work.

Two of Vas’s Doodles that really express this duality are “Shattered” and “Flight of Fancy.” The use of color, geometric patterns, and sharp angular edges in “Shattered” does not visually represent the same artist when compared to “Flight of Fancy.”

“Shattered” has a grey and black central focus which, when combined with overlaid angular, sharp edges, creates a vortex inside the piece, pulling the viewer deeper into the murky world. The depiction draws the observer further into the artist’s reality, creating a cave-like feeling that is amplified by the black and red tones.

“Flight of Fancy” has a sweeping foreground element that is bright and visually bursting, paired with the colorful dazzling stars in the background. The use of blurred and sharp edges helps reinforce the foreground/background elements, drawing the eye from the bottom left up and around to the right. The piece has much more movement than “Shattered.”

Of all of Vas’ Doodles, I feel most strongly connected to the two pieces I’ve described. “Flight of Fancy” represents to me rising above expectations and basking in the glow of one’s own ambition and motivation. And “Shattered” resonates with the times I reflect on things I’ve done that need to be improved. These very emotional responses I have to Vas’ work don’t mean it’s what the work is about – which is the best thing about abstract art: the viewer is allowed to relate to the work without being dictated by symbolism.

By day, Jasmine Aye works with My Love Wedding Ring – which offers sapphire rings and matching wedding bands. By night she is an abstract surface designer. She has studied abstract art under many instructors at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and is drawn to the Daily Doodles because of their geometric themes and their potential application to fiber work.

Original Article