The Squid Calendar

Alexander Calder was born July 22, 1898.

Alexander Calder moved the art world. Literally. His art utilized motion and energy. Calder starting making his kinetic moving art in 1931.

Alexander Calder – art in motion by ToTheBrimm

Alexander Calder for Kids | Biography and Lesson Resources by MakingArtFun

Today, Google celebrated Alexander Calder’s birthday with a special doodle:

Frida Kahlo, a Mexican artist, was born on July 6, 1907.  Frida is known for her self portraits. Her paintings are bright and bold and often surreal. A bus accident put Frida in great physical pain, and caused her physical problems which continued her entire life.  Her tumultuous marriage to Mexican artist, Diego Rivera, also greatly influenced her art.

Learn more at nina_kuriloff‘s page: Frida Kahlo, extraordinary female Mexican Painter.

Also check out Frida Kahlo Jewelry and Clothing by babygirlboutique.

Photo is of The Two Fridas by Frida Kahlo

Today is National Quilting Day. I have always been in love with quilts, but have never actually done any quilting myself (maybe I should change that). They are such an artwork!

Miniature Quilts – Tips, Tricks and Free Patterns by azpoppy

Contemporary Art Quilts by LisaCall

Hand Quilting Stitches and How to Do Them by happynutritionist

Hawaiian Quilting by azpoppy

Ah, yes, Fibonacci.  The Fibonacci sequence was named after Leonardo of Pisa.

0 1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55 89 144 233 377 610 etc.

This seemingly simple sequence, adding the two prior numbers to get the next, is actually a much more complicated function which can be seen in art and nature.  Often called the golden ratio, the golden rectangle, or the golden spiral, it can be found in a sunflower, a pine cone, the Mona Lisa or The Parthenon!

The beauty of the math will blow your mind, and the beauty of the art will warm your heart.

Take a Fibonacci look at The Golden Spiral by monarch13.

(photo by M. Ruch)