Design is an opportunity to continue telling the story, not just to sum everything up.
― Tate Linden
Tina leads the challenge this week and she looks for shapes and designs. I believe the most common and the most used designs and shapes all originate from the natural world. If we manage well to copy them or be inspired by them, the results might be harmonious shapes and useful, beautiful designs.
Who hasn’t walked along a beach collecting beautiful shells? We admire their shape and structure and marvel at the power of nature.
This colourful tangle is intricate galls made by a gall wasp for its larvae – and Seattle offered a Chihuly version!
The urge for good design is the same as the urge to go on living.
– Harry Bertoia
Lotus and water lilies are important symbols and loved shapes in art ever since ancient times –
– here in the modern, immersive exhibition of Tutanchamon.
Be like a lotus. Let the beauty of your heart speak. Be grateful to the mud, water, air, and the light.
– Amit Ray
The structures beneath belongs to the very much used and loved ones in everyday life – originally designed by a spider. If you have walked into a spider web once, you know how incredibly strong it is.
Never say there is nothing beautiful in the world anymore. There is always something to make you wonder in the shape of a tree, the trembling of a leaf.
– Albert Schweitzer
Wonderful, isn’t it? Mother Nature will always be our master; for beauty, for harmony, and for the durability of construction. Many great artists declare they are deeply influenced by Nature, and one of them is Gaudí – my favourite. In my book, I believe every artist owe his or her skills to the natural world.
Design is not for philosophy it’s for life.
– Issey Miyake
Thank you for a great challenge, Tina, and many thanks to those who joined us last week in response to Egidio’s “Rejected” challenge. Wonderful! Finally, we hope to see you next week when Beth will lead us once again on her Wandering Dawgs site. Until then, please stay safe, be kind and enjoy every new day. We look forward to seeing your responses, and remember to link to Tina’s post and to use the Lens-Artists Tag to help us find you.
Leya 
You are so right about nature’s intricate shapes, Anne-Christine! You’ve captured incredible examples of this.
Thank you, Terri!
So beautiful Ann-Christine! I don’t know why I’m getting your posts so late or not at all. Frustrating!
I am late commenting, I know! Hope you are ok and well!
😍
Excellent Ann-Christine. The snail pic stopped me in my scrolling tracks! I stumbled across one of those intricate galls on a rose hip a couple of years ago. I photographed it and then researched it later. I’ve seen a lot more now I know what to look for and where to find them. A great response for the challenge 🙂
Thank you, Steve! A fun challenge!
Your second shot, of the snail is amazing! How did you get it? I also love the juxtaposition of the gal wasp tangle with a Chihuli sunburst.
Thank you, Lindy! That snail was made when I was dabbling with swirls some years ago. A lucky one!
Glorious choices this week Ann-christine. This one is right up your alley. Amazing captures of the perfect subjects!
Thank you so much, Tina! Yes, I enjoyed this one too. But it is always fun to figure out what to post for every challenge.😄
Wonderful photos. I love the quote comparing design with the love for living. I agree.
❤️Thank you!
Love the photos, Ann-Christine! My favorite is that lotus. The bokeh and shading on the flower make the image ”pop out” of the page!
Thank you, John – nature’s wonder!
The pictures are gorgeous, Leya. I especially like the snail photo. Fantastic!
Thank you, Imelda! That snail came out well, glad you liked it!
I love the way you’ve drawn comparisons between natural amd man-made design, especially the gall and the Chihuly piece that echoes it so well 😀
Thank you, Sarah, the gall and te Chihuly really made me smile too!
Well, aren’t these fabulous? And normally, I’m not a fan of ‘mucked about with’ photos, but I love that snail!
Thank you, dear Margaret! That snail is grateful too, I am sure!
Nature provides so many shapes that are placed in our designs in architecture and fashion etc. You showcase that so beautifully. The first one is so amazing, love it.
Thank you, Ritva – and I love that one too. A lovely challenge!
Beautiful collection of some unusual shapes and some more common ones.
Thank you, Leanne- happy you liked them!
Sometimes you just blow me away, Ann-Christine. This is one of those posts. We should all look at life through your eyes xx
You are very sweet, Jo, thank you for a lovely comment💛
Beautiful selections!
Thank you, Nora!
Beautiful collection Ann Christine, mother nature truly is the greatest artist in all its forms! The shells lit my heart up, so peaceful at the beach!
Thank you, Pamela – yes, shells calms the rythm of life.
Wonderful collection Ann Christine.
Thanks, Brad!
Methinks Harry Bertoia’s words say it all . . .
😘
What a wonderful presentation of beautiful photos! I loved your creativity (no surprise!) showing Nature and man-made pairs. Wonderful gallery, Ann-Christine.
Thank you, Egidio! Means a lot coming from you!