Oh, Bee Hive!

Spring is a-busting out all over with blossoms and blooms! The birds are belting out ballads building to a crescendo, and speaking of birds, I think of the bees.  I do hope that the bees are a-buzzing, what with the strange depletion lately of their pollinating population.

How did bees get the pre-programmed idea that the hexagon would be the perfect solution for their hives? Ah, that we could come up with such an elegant solution for our homes! These exceedingly strong structures are masterpieces in engineering that make the most efficient use of space and labor expended. How amazing, that the mathematically optimal solutions are always found in nature, yet we humans continue to struggle to come up with just the right equation.

As always, we return to geometry in our understanding and discipline in art and design.

wild bee hives 

 Austin Powers had it right when he exclaimed, "Oh behave!"

"BEEHIVE" ceiling lamp A331

Alvar Aalto

1953

The natural beehive form inspired Aalto to create this modernist ceiling lamp from back in the day of "Mad Men" design. 

In relation to this subject, though a human invention, I was inspired to fashion a lamp finial from a honey dipper.  I've seen this form used on cabinet pulls, vases, etc.

www.crossville.com

Everywhere we look, we can find honeycomb/hexagon inspiration.

We see it in numerous shelf designs to stash and store your stuff.

The honeycomb rug pattern adds design interest in its small repetitions of the hexagon shape, providing structure in an open and amorphous interior design.

"Hive"

Janet Lofquist

corten steel

Dedicated September 11, 2009

This sculpture was erected at a Metrolink station nearby my house. Inspired by the idea of community spirit in rebuilding the neighborhood, the artist thought of honeycombs and the bee colony's cooperative efforts in building and maintaining their hives. It is an appropriate symbol for the regeneration of the neighborhood and is very pedestrian friendly.  Frequently children run around it, peer at one another through the cells, and even crawl through the cells.  

Every time I walk or drive by, I think to myself, "Oh, honey!"  I like that the bees have had such a visual impact on our community.  Let us hope that many more hives will prosper in their own livelihood as well!  Buzz on!

Taking Flight

I have noticed that the bird feeders are not being frequented as they were in the spring and summer.  I do believe that the songbirds have taken flight for warmer climes.  I hope that they are enjoying their warm vacation and will return next year!  While walking the dogs, I noticed these bird silhouettes stenciled on to a concrete wall.  Flight in suspension!

A little while later, I came across these images in a book.  I've always liked the idea of drawing and painting directly on walls...not exactly a mural, but a sketch.  It breathes life into the wall.  Children know all about this kind of thing...it seems perfectly sensible to them!

Winter Holiday

The weekend was a good day to visit Bowood Nursery, Greenhouse, and Cafe. Inside the greenhouse, we had tea and were invited to make treats for the birds using pine cones, peanut butter, and shortening. We then rolled them in mixed bird seeds and attached a loop of yarn to hang it from. This Nursery, which is walking distance from my office, also houses the excellent Cafe Osage, using its own and local produce.

A visit by a group of Shetland Sheep visiting from Wildflower Farm was a real thrill. Shetland wool offers one of the widest ranges of colors. There are 11 main colors as well as 30 markings, most still bearing their Shetland dialect names. Here I am nuzzling with Nessa. Her name is an ancient Gallic name, as all the sheep's names are. I must say I am partial to her coloring, but since I don't knit, I didn't buy her beautiful wool rolled in balls.

Here is Cody, another Gallic name incidentally. A very handsome guy! I plan on helping shear the sheep in the Spring...will keep you posted!