Fibonacci and Matt

When I was in middle school, my dad nearly strangled me several times while helping me with my math lessons. He would tell me the answer to some fact and I'd repeat it. Five seconds later he'd ask me the same question but I wouldn't know the answer. They have fancy names for it now---like ADHD, ADD, etc. Though I was extremely hyper at times, I am convinced it had nothing to do with either of those.

Several years back I was talking with my brother about "divine symmetry" and the "golden ratio" with which Maxfield Parrish based his paintings. My mathematical brother, lit up like a Christmas tree. He grabbed a pen and paper and drew this:















I have kept Matt's drawing all these years because it represents, to me, the problem with Melanie and the monumental grace of those who are close to me. If it were not for the grace of those around me, my flaw would sooner than later prove my existence futile and ultimately fatal. Ignorance is bliss, but only for so long. Someone needs to know true music theory in order for me to write a song. Someone needs to know light and chemical properties in order for me to paint mix pigment. Someone needs to understand aeronautics so I can experience travel.

I already have a terrible memory. Add that to the fact that I also tend to experience things in totally different ways than other people. If something is really meaningful to me, I am motivated to experience/remember it almost clearer than it actually is/was. On the flip side, if something has little place in my heart, I am rarely motivated to explore it if I even remember it at all.

Sometimes my brother knows me better than I know myself. See, when I was talking about beautiful paintings, Matt was talking about mathematics, but he saw an opportunity for us to relate, to share a meaningful experience with me. What a chance he took with a girl whose brain never attached to math. To this day I might not be able to cut (I still have to draw pies) a fraction in thirds, but I can explain the Fibonacci sequence.
















Matt, I could not find this when it came time for gifts this year. I found it today while cleaning up my "studio". I made it back in October at my silversmith class. It's the first and last planned enamel piece I've made. Thanks for graciously explaining the Fibonacci sequence to me, and for all the chances you take on your little sister. Minds like yours keep the world going.

So while other people add spirals to their artwork for mathematical, or aesthetic reasons, I add them for symbolic, personal meaning.