Nature is undeniably beautiful. An artist can’t help but appreciate the Fibonnaci-inspired perfection of a nautilus shell, the symmetry of a snowflake, and the colors of the sunrise.
And, like most things, a deeper look reveals even more beauty. A microscopic study of natural objects opens the door to an entire world of shapes, colors, and configurations even an artist might not imagine.
Whether examining mold in a Petri dish or the viewing the skin of a red speckled jewel beetle under a microscope, an artist is rewarded with an overwhelming, almost-alien visual that’s certain to inspire creativity.
Why not whet your students’ creative whistles with a projected presentation of some incredible microscopic images? A quick, online search for microscopic images results in some spectacular images, like those below.
Or, better yet, take a cross-curricular field trip to the science lab and view some microscopic slides in person. Encourage your students to note the artistic elements demonstrated in these microscopic images, including:
- Colors
- Shapes
- Symmetry
- Patterns
- Textures
Once you’ve completed your study, challenge your art students to create their own up-close-and-personal artwork, using the microscopic images as inspiration for their own original art.
Helping students learn to observe their worlds more closely is a key component of art education. Microbiology is one way to encourage them to see things at a deeper level.
Let us know if you’ve tried this in your art class. We’re interested in hearing (or seeing!) the results.
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