Drumhead Series

Drumhead Series paintings are inspired by movements of a drum head: a thin, flexible, circular membrane under carefully controlled even tension. Striking such a membrane excites standing waves that wash across the surface. Only certain resonant modes are allowed, however. Each resonant mode forms a pattern that fits perfectly on the circular surface, causing the membrane to move up and down at a frequency determined by the tension in the head.

The allowed vibration modes are identified by the lowercase letter u followed by two quantum numbers. The first quantum number designates the radial symmetry, identifying the number of nodes (minus 1) counted out from the center. The second designates the azimuthal symmetry, identifying the number of nodes (minus 1) counted around the perimeter. Thus, the u_1,1 mode has two radial nodes (one at the center, and one at the edge), and two azimuthal modes (one at each end of a diametrical neutral stripe.)

These paintings depict a shapshot of a membrane disturbed by one of these vibration modes. A background color signifyies the neutral plane of the undisturbed membrane. Relatively warmer colors identify areas where the membrane has moved above the neutral plane, while cooler colors signify movement below that plane.