This month we are happy to welcome Ceramic Artist and Teacher, Diana Kersey who will be presenting on the use of patterns from an artistic perspective. "By stepping back, we can observe patterns in nature and society. These can form the backbone of our designs, with the details filled in as we go. Every spider’s web is unique to its situation, yet the general pattern of radial spokes and spiral rings is universal. The proverb “can’t see the forest for the trees” reminds us that the closer we get to something, the more we are distracted from the big picture" -Holmgren "An understanding of patterns can be of use in design in the form of a pattern language. A pattern language is a set of organizing principles which can act as a tool for thinking about sustainability, but should not be applied as a blueprint for design. Patterns must be flexible and responsive to local conditions. This idea has been developed by Christopher Alexander in A Pattern Language (1977), in which he argues that our physical environment is created by the building of patterns which are in our minds. These patterns are dynamic, as they tell how we may shape the world around us." -Joanne Tippet, A Pattern Language of Sustainability Ecological design and Permaculture http://www.holocene.net/dissertation.htm
