Peek Into My Kaleidoscope Florals

I REMEMBER the wonder I felt as a child when I first peered into a kaleidoscope and saw magical shapes dance before my eyes by rotating a small device on something that looked like a telescope. The pretty patterns moved in unison and were constantly changing.

The word kaleidoscope came to mind when searching for a letter beginning with “K”. The word also inspired me to create less traditional patterns reminiscent of a kaleidoscope.

I selected triangle portions of the photograph I took of a floral bouquet and digitally duplicated and built on those shapes with a computer arts program. The result is similar to angled mirrors reflecting bits of colored objects.

Scientist David Brewster is said to have invented the kaleidoscope in 1816, naming it after the Greek words kalos for beautiful, eidos for form and scopos for watcher. Watching these beautiful forms is fun but so is making them.

Societies exist for those who are spellbound by the views inside the cylinders. There are complex varieties to simple options where designs can be created instantly HERE.

I think there is much more to how a kaleidoscope works than meets the eye. The patterns not only delight visually but perhaps also give us a peek into the mysterious workings of the universe. Although such details are apt to give anyone "brain freeze", there is discussion in some quantum physics circles that revolve around the kaleidoscope.

We are more familiar with microscopic scientific studies, however, that show particles of matter are composed of repeated and transforming patterns. Patterns can also be seen everywhere in nature with the naked eye. Not surprisingly, we humans seem innately attracted to symmetry.

I think if I were inclined to design extravagant floral wallpaper, the bouquet of flowers I picked as a base for my kaleidoscope patterns might do nicely.

This photo shows how I started the project with four duplicate triangles pieced together. I am as mesmerized now by these effects as when I was a child.

Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms

This post showcases the letter "K" for kaleidoscope. If you think words are fun and enjoy playing with the alphabet, visit ABC Wednesday.