My passion is kaleidoscopes–real ones. I took a stained glass class years ago so I could eventually start making stained glass scopes...one of these days. In the meantime kaleidoscopes have spilled over into my artwork. Heck, even my domain name SwarDrawS is kind of kaleidoscopish.

The idea of this patterns series started when I took all the digital video I shot of Hollace and authored a series of 3 DVDs. The animated intro on those DVDs was of a kaleidoscope pattern that actually got its starts with a virtual kaleidoscope I made a year before that. I found the imagery while watching the DVDs on TV very relaxing and pondered a series of patterns I could create for DVD. This is the results of those pondering. For those on my Christmas card list, this technique might look familiar.

There are two parts to this project. First there is the print pieces. These are 13"x13" framed prints with the main section mounted on a 12" foam core circle fastened to a darkened blurred version of the pattern. Then there is the animations set to music authored to DVD.

The animations on the next page aren't for the weak of heart (i.e., 56k modems), the print part is 220k and the video (with sound) weighs in at a hefty 2,300k. Sit back and enjoy.