Myrle Borine

Clay Miniatures with beaded accents  approximately 6 inches long by 3 inches high.

 Just like every other beader who becomes infatuated with beads to wear, Myrle fashioned her initial beaded collars the same way as her contemporaries... But why not "frame" the neck with a more traditional shape, accenting the roundness of the face which rises above - right on Myrle!

This model of fashion historically used for fitting garments being designed or sewn, the “Dress Form” is termed by the Historical Dictionary of the Fashion Industry as a “replica of a human form  made of cloth, padded and mounted on a metal base  that is used for draping and fitting garments.” Dress forms have been hand-crafted for centuries. History states that mannequin dress forms date back to the time of the Egyptian Pharaohs. Who knew?  And who knew what Myrle Borine would do with one of these icons of fashion once she decided to cover it with patterns of delica glass beads.

Like a heart or a song with a steady beat, regular rhythm is created by a series of elements, often identical or similar, that are placed at regular or similar intervals, such as in grids. Patterns are groups of elements or motifs that repeat in a predictable manner, a relatively easy yet complicated thing to do with beads. Take this 12" round sphere of interconnected delica patterns which Myrle has entitled, "My World," where oh where to look first...

When motifs or elements are repeated or alternated, the intervals between them or how they overlap can create rhythm and a sense of movement. In visual rhythm, design motifs become the beats. Rhythms can be broadly categorized as random, regular, alternating, flowing, and progressive.

Repeated use of a shape, color, or other art element or design in a work can help unify different parts into a whole. The repetition might be limited to only an instance or two: not enough to create a pattern or rhythm, but enough to cause a visual echo and reinforce  or accent certain aspects of the work.

This Peyote stitch pattern on metal frame vessel  was chosen by juror  Bruce W. Pepich Executive Director  of the Racine Art Museum for the Wayne Art Center 2009 Craft Forms Exhibition. The form measures 15" high x 11"wide x 11" deep One day Myrle saw a form similar to this and  decided she wanted to bead something with that same shape.  So she drew up what she wanted and a friend of hers  welded it together for her... Then she went to town! All pattern artists have one thing in common – they all use patterns in their art. The medium or technique is not important as long as someone employs a combination of elements or shapes repeated in a recurring and regular arrangement. When it comes to art, patterns have been used from ancient times. They exist in nature; the repeating units of shape and form can be identified in the world that surrounds us.