Elaine Krajenke Ellison

Statement

The appreciation and demystification of mathematics is a common thread that runs through my mathematical art. After exploring a variety of media including bronze, drawing, glass, and painting, I settled on quilts in the early l980's. The quilts serve as a visual introduction that allow students to explore mathematics as they gain more insights. As the number of quilts increased each year, I was able to write lesson plans for the quilts. The quilt topics were based on what topics I was teaching at the time--mostly geometry and algebra. From this beginning, Mathematical Quilts and More Mathematical Quilts was published. I have been fortunate to share my love of mathematics with quilt groups, mathematics groups, museums, and various other interested groups. I enjoy meeting the mathematicians that have inspired me over the years at the Bridges conferences.

Artworks

Morphing designs have always been fascinating to me. The quilt was inspired by many creators of such parquet deformations. John Sharp, Craig S. Kaplan, and M. E. Escher had a profound influence on the design of this quilt. The quilt most likely echoes Escher's Day and Night (1938). The fish and the birds delight the eye as they move across the picture plane. Color change also excites the eye.

The back side of the 6 point perspective.

This 6 point perspective was inspired by Dick Termes and his work on perspective systems. Two 5 point perspectives are joined together to make the 6 point perspective or 360 view of a Florida landscape. The quilt is two-sided due to the perspective being used. Each side of the quilt has different flora and fauna.