The initial objects I studied in the Decorative Arts Gallery at the Castle Museum were the selection of 17th century delftware tiles. Arranged in a grid system behind glass, the white tiles with painted blue imagery looked charming and intriguing. The Dutch tiles are practical and decorative for walls and fireplaces and originated from Holland. However, after a few days of drawing the tiles, I decided my subject was a bit limited. Therefore, instead of just focusing on the tiles, I looked at all blue and white china throughout the decorative art gallery. Now I wasn’t so restricted with the subject and found a range of blue and white china to work from. I experimented with my drawing styles but restricted my colour palette to blue and white to reflect the china I was working from.
I found various books in the library about Delft blue, the history of tiles and also the blue and white porcelain. I also got the chance to study the blue and white china in the Study Room at the Castle. I spent three hours solidly drawing jugs, plates, cups and patterns. I found this beneficial as I was the only person doing this. So my work not only reflected the Decorative Arts Gallery, but also hidden pieces from the study room. I now know it’s important to question and ask about certain objects in museums because the pieces they have hidden and stored away are just as interesting as the things they have on display. If I ever have the chance to do this again I definitely will.
I was encouraged to look at the shape of the object I was drawing not only the pattern within. This helped develop lines and shapes I later translated into pattern work. The idea of looking through windows or the handles of the jugs also restricted my drawing style to a particular shape and I think I produced some unique drawings that I would never have thought I could create. My confidence with my drawing has grown considerably over the past few weeks and I think it also helps when I manipulate them digitally on the computer. I can develop my drawings using programmes such as Photoshop and Illustrator. I like to experiment with my work to create interesting drawings or patterns. I have a past in Graphic Design but I have never before been able to apply these skills within my textiles work. I have really enjoyed this, and I think experimenting with the digital printer and my manipulated designs in the future should be beneficial to my work. This digital technique also applied to my final conclusions.
I chose the Interior market to produce my final outcomes. I visited Clement Joscelyne (The Granary) in Norwich to research. I collected a number of wallpaper catalogues for reference and to inspire. I chose four collections to work from; two by Cole & Sons, Eijffinger and Designers Guild. I chose to study four as I couldn’t decide on three! I studied their catalogues and looked at the layout and structure of each design, the layering and linking of pattern and the colour palette. I then produced at least two designs influenced by each collection. I adapted my drawings from the Castle Museum to hopefully suit each quality and trait of the contemporary collections.
Looking at my designs think they’re quite successful. But I honestly don’t think I can tell unless they were printed larger and displayed on a wall. The detail is intricate and some colours subdued, and printed onto A4 white paper doesn’t do the designs much justice. However, I am happy with what I have achieved and I think my designs, with further development, have potential.
Showing posts with label evaluations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label evaluations. Show all posts
Sunday, 7 November 2010
Thursday, 24 June 2010
formal self assessment.
My original aim of this project was to produce a number of textile pieces influenced by the theme of dream and fantasy by focusing on fairy tales. I feel I have achieved this initial aim as I have been able to produce a variety of hand and machine embroidered illustrations, allowing myself to explore with different threads, materials and media to create different effects and outcomes. I’ve found it interesting how something so little, like the changing of the bobbin thread, can make such a big difference to a stitched image. These illustrative stitched images developed into a more complex way of drawing with the machine needle as I started to fill shapes to create shading, tone and depth to my final pieces. In the end, I produced two final embroidered images; influenced by the Ladybird book of Hansel and Gretel. It was strange how I started researching throughout my collection of fairy tale books and as soon as saw the illustrations, I immediately thought they looked different to all the other illustration I had seen and could picture instantly how they would look if stitched and appliqued. However, I am exhibiting not just my two embroideries but my whole journey of samples and experiments created throughout my project, to display a story with my work and produce a narrative. Initially, I thought of creating a mystical woodland display, creating trees and animals from fabric, wool and various textiles. This would have represented the setting in which many fairy tales are set. Thus, in a review I realised my interest at this moment in time is on the stitch element of textiles rather than knit. I had produced many hand embroidery samples as well as machine stitched pictures and therefore decided to illustrate a fairy tale scene - woodland, with woodland creatures – rather than create it. So, my idea went from 3D to 2D.
From the beginning my influence has always been dream and fantasy. In the past I explored a lot into dream theory, the ideas of why we dream and what they symbolise and mean. I found this all incredibly interesting and researched the fantastical side of dreams. I looked into books and films that are all set in a dream, like Alice in Wonderland and Wizard of Oz. Here animals talked, magical lands existed, and unrealistic event take place. This then made me think about how magical fairy tales are and how they influence children from such a young age. The stories are all dream like as they are all so unrealistic and some set in such and idyllic place. I created many boards of inspiration, capturing images that inspire me and noting down element that could be looked into (1&2) I looked at artists who had found inspiration from fairy tales like Kiki Smith. In her work the girl and wolf join together and eventually become each other. Her take on fairy tales is interesting in the fact that she changed the story to create her work. Unlike Jess Brown who created textile decorations influenced solely on fairy tale characters and inspired by the animals and people. I think, realistically, I don’t have the skills or the time in this project to have developed my initial ideas influenced by these artists I have stated in my sketchbook. However, they are all key artists who I have the chance to explore further in higher education.
I didn’t necessarily learn any new methods of working; I enhanced my skills and knowledge and explored what stitch works well for certain things. For example, the french knot embroidery stitch is perfect for eyes and stem stitch is nice to outline. To enhance my embroidery skills I brought a pack to practise with, these are seen in my journey. The floral trees really stand out when framed I think they are one of the first things you see when you look at my exhibit.
I wasn’t very experimental when it came to fabric choice. I used calico - purely because it’s trustworthy, strong and I had it in plentiful. I did applique a few pieces of work and I think it’s one of the most effective techniques I’ve learnt this year. Still, if I was to extend my practise I would definitely experiment with materials and textures a lot more. But there just wasn’t enough time, so we had to think realistically and practically, so I produced work I knew was achievable rather than enter a discomfort zone and potentially ruin my pieces. I kept my mind up to date by noting down everything in my sketchbook. It was extremely rushed and I have never produced a sketch book so unpleasing to the eye, but I wrote down what I needed to say and could sort out what the next step of my project was.
I did encounter a few problems with my sewing machine, and found that the thread snaps if stitches were to overlap or if I stitched too fast. This was frustrating and in the end my hand embroidery turned out a lot better. The machine embroidery bunched a lot and gathered at the sides, not like the hand embroidery where I could easily use an embroidery hoop so the fabric stayed relatively flat. Having learnt this, I would have produced my final pieces by hand rather than machine. The threads thicker, the material didn’t bunch and it was easier to add detail were necessary.
Having put up my exhibition, with all my final pieces on display, I am generally happy with how it looks and the impact it creates to the viewer. Being positioned where it is - it is one of the first displays seen when walked into the room. The way it interlinks with the surrounding displays is aesthetically pleasing as they appear to roll into each other. It was challenging to put up; the walls were thin so the higher I hammered the nail (to hook the frames on) the more it shock. Therefore, some frames fell off and smashed. I should definitely have considered this beforehand; I ended up making a nail from a pin that worked just as well as a nail just easier to hammer into the wall. I think it shows the journey throughout my project. I displayed my felt flowers, knitted trees, my humpty dumpty family, sample boards and button experiments I made on a previous project. It’s nice the intermingle pieces for the final show and make it all work well together. Initially I didn’t think I’d use things I made at the initial start of my project, like my humpty dumpy family, but in the end it all looks good together and I have shown a broad range of mixed media skill in my final show. Overall, I’ve learnt an awful lot in this past year on the Art Foundation, and I can’t wait to develop my skills further and learn exciting new techniques in Higher Education.
From the beginning my influence has always been dream and fantasy. In the past I explored a lot into dream theory, the ideas of why we dream and what they symbolise and mean. I found this all incredibly interesting and researched the fantastical side of dreams. I looked into books and films that are all set in a dream, like Alice in Wonderland and Wizard of Oz. Here animals talked, magical lands existed, and unrealistic event take place. This then made me think about how magical fairy tales are and how they influence children from such a young age. The stories are all dream like as they are all so unrealistic and some set in such and idyllic place. I created many boards of inspiration, capturing images that inspire me and noting down element that could be looked into (1&2) I looked at artists who had found inspiration from fairy tales like Kiki Smith. In her work the girl and wolf join together and eventually become each other. Her take on fairy tales is interesting in the fact that she changed the story to create her work. Unlike Jess Brown who created textile decorations influenced solely on fairy tale characters and inspired by the animals and people. I think, realistically, I don’t have the skills or the time in this project to have developed my initial ideas influenced by these artists I have stated in my sketchbook. However, they are all key artists who I have the chance to explore further in higher education.
I didn’t necessarily learn any new methods of working; I enhanced my skills and knowledge and explored what stitch works well for certain things. For example, the french knot embroidery stitch is perfect for eyes and stem stitch is nice to outline. To enhance my embroidery skills I brought a pack to practise with, these are seen in my journey. The floral trees really stand out when framed I think they are one of the first things you see when you look at my exhibit.
I wasn’t very experimental when it came to fabric choice. I used calico - purely because it’s trustworthy, strong and I had it in plentiful. I did applique a few pieces of work and I think it’s one of the most effective techniques I’ve learnt this year. Still, if I was to extend my practise I would definitely experiment with materials and textures a lot more. But there just wasn’t enough time, so we had to think realistically and practically, so I produced work I knew was achievable rather than enter a discomfort zone and potentially ruin my pieces. I kept my mind up to date by noting down everything in my sketchbook. It was extremely rushed and I have never produced a sketch book so unpleasing to the eye, but I wrote down what I needed to say and could sort out what the next step of my project was.
I did encounter a few problems with my sewing machine, and found that the thread snaps if stitches were to overlap or if I stitched too fast. This was frustrating and in the end my hand embroidery turned out a lot better. The machine embroidery bunched a lot and gathered at the sides, not like the hand embroidery where I could easily use an embroidery hoop so the fabric stayed relatively flat. Having learnt this, I would have produced my final pieces by hand rather than machine. The threads thicker, the material didn’t bunch and it was easier to add detail were necessary.
Having put up my exhibition, with all my final pieces on display, I am generally happy with how it looks and the impact it creates to the viewer. Being positioned where it is - it is one of the first displays seen when walked into the room. The way it interlinks with the surrounding displays is aesthetically pleasing as they appear to roll into each other. It was challenging to put up; the walls were thin so the higher I hammered the nail (to hook the frames on) the more it shock. Therefore, some frames fell off and smashed. I should definitely have considered this beforehand; I ended up making a nail from a pin that worked just as well as a nail just easier to hammer into the wall. I think it shows the journey throughout my project. I displayed my felt flowers, knitted trees, my humpty dumpty family, sample boards and button experiments I made on a previous project. It’s nice the intermingle pieces for the final show and make it all work well together. Initially I didn’t think I’d use things I made at the initial start of my project, like my humpty dumpy family, but in the end it all looks good together and I have shown a broad range of mixed media skill in my final show. Overall, I’ve learnt an awful lot in this past year on the Art Foundation, and I can’t wait to develop my skills further and learn exciting new techniques in Higher Education.
Monday, 22 March 2010
statement of intent.
Progress and Achievement:
Prior to Art Foundation my practice was generally graphic design based with only my personal practice, experimental work and latter graphic work being textile and mixed media influenced. Being able to explore all the different workshops throughout the initial stage of the course I was able to find my individual and favourite approach to the way I work which evidently was mixed media textiles. Within the textile workshops I have learnt many new techniques such as; appliqué, crochet, embroidery, weaving and quilting. I have been able to create samples of these in small, set projects to spark ideas of future work and sampling. I thoroughly enjoy working on the knitting and sewing machines; using the embroidery foot as a drawing tool is a new favourite technique of mine. As well as this, I have learnt some lens based techniques such as filming, animation and the developing process in the darkroom. I’ve learnt many new and exciting approaches to art and design and found how my practice can be enhanced with further understanding and experimentation by intermingling other materials and processes. I feel I have achieved a greater perception of myself, others and the way in which we all work and feed off each other. Being with such a great, influential group of individuals has made self study in college extremely enjoyable and rewarding.
Personal Confirmatory Study – Aims and Objectives:
Dream and Fantasy
At the beginning of the course I got fascinated by the idea and theme of dreams. A dream is simply a succession of images, thoughts, sounds, or emotions passing through the mind during sleep. Simple - yet so complex. I researched thoroughly into dream art and psychology, making reference to the connection between dreams and the conscious mind. I found it fascinating and found myself studying in depth at dream meanings, references in film and media, music and their lyrics, also fictional stories such as Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz – all being set in a dream.
One hypotheses of a dream is as follows;
‘Dreams allow the repressed parts of the mind to be satisfied through fantasy while keeping the conscious mind from thoughts that would suddenly cause one to awaken from shock’
Vedfelt, Ole (1999). The Dimensions of Dreams. Fromm.
The idea of fantasy intrigues me and I delved further into my initial research with the idea of fairy tales and nursery rhymes. They all have a magical, folkloric and an enchanting nature. When read, they all appear as a dream as they could never be real. But with the intention of being aimed at children, they acquire that sense of wonderment and mystery. However the diversity is extreme, with some stories innocent and some rather harrowing. With this in mind, my work will be rather contrasting – with some pretty, detailed work pieces as well as some slightly disturbing work - unlike anything I’ve produced before. Through experimentation, I hope to create samples from influences; colour, mood, texture, pattern and design in order to inspire final piece ideas and development.
I enjoy the hidden morals and motifs associated within fairy tales and aim to improve my understanding with research at the initial stage of my project. My final aim will be to produce a number of textile pieces influenced by the theme of dream and fantasy by focusing on fairy tales. I feel a number of illustrative stitched images and textile creatures will be a few anticipated experiments. A final piece idea I have in mind is to create a mystical woodland display, creating trees and animals from fabric, wool and various textiles. This would represent the setting in which many fairytales are set, which is an obvious element that I found interesting in early research. However, I think my final outcome will only be decided through in-depth research, drawing and experimentation. I intend to gain more skill in overall textile development techniques and display methods in preparation for higher education.
Evaluation:
I have created a general dream and fantasy research book including notes, research pages, artist evaluations and ideas. I will continue developing this alongside a more specific work book focusing on the main area of study; fairy tales and nursery rhymes. I will use this as a reflective log where I can evaluate my practice and also as an aid to support change and adaptation in research, ideas and development. I will also take part in regular group reviews where I can present and talk to my tutor and peers about my project and gather important feedback. I will make mood boards and samples to reflect my ideas and hope to create a final piece that’s exciting and challenges my personal practise.
Prior to Art Foundation my practice was generally graphic design based with only my personal practice, experimental work and latter graphic work being textile and mixed media influenced. Being able to explore all the different workshops throughout the initial stage of the course I was able to find my individual and favourite approach to the way I work which evidently was mixed media textiles. Within the textile workshops I have learnt many new techniques such as; appliqué, crochet, embroidery, weaving and quilting. I have been able to create samples of these in small, set projects to spark ideas of future work and sampling. I thoroughly enjoy working on the knitting and sewing machines; using the embroidery foot as a drawing tool is a new favourite technique of mine. As well as this, I have learnt some lens based techniques such as filming, animation and the developing process in the darkroom. I’ve learnt many new and exciting approaches to art and design and found how my practice can be enhanced with further understanding and experimentation by intermingling other materials and processes. I feel I have achieved a greater perception of myself, others and the way in which we all work and feed off each other. Being with such a great, influential group of individuals has made self study in college extremely enjoyable and rewarding.
Personal Confirmatory Study – Aims and Objectives:
Dream and Fantasy
At the beginning of the course I got fascinated by the idea and theme of dreams. A dream is simply a succession of images, thoughts, sounds, or emotions passing through the mind during sleep. Simple - yet so complex. I researched thoroughly into dream art and psychology, making reference to the connection between dreams and the conscious mind. I found it fascinating and found myself studying in depth at dream meanings, references in film and media, music and their lyrics, also fictional stories such as Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz – all being set in a dream.
One hypotheses of a dream is as follows;
‘Dreams allow the repressed parts of the mind to be satisfied through fantasy while keeping the conscious mind from thoughts that would suddenly cause one to awaken from shock’
Vedfelt, Ole (1999). The Dimensions of Dreams. Fromm.
The idea of fantasy intrigues me and I delved further into my initial research with the idea of fairy tales and nursery rhymes. They all have a magical, folkloric and an enchanting nature. When read, they all appear as a dream as they could never be real. But with the intention of being aimed at children, they acquire that sense of wonderment and mystery. However the diversity is extreme, with some stories innocent and some rather harrowing. With this in mind, my work will be rather contrasting – with some pretty, detailed work pieces as well as some slightly disturbing work - unlike anything I’ve produced before. Through experimentation, I hope to create samples from influences; colour, mood, texture, pattern and design in order to inspire final piece ideas and development.
I enjoy the hidden morals and motifs associated within fairy tales and aim to improve my understanding with research at the initial stage of my project. My final aim will be to produce a number of textile pieces influenced by the theme of dream and fantasy by focusing on fairy tales. I feel a number of illustrative stitched images and textile creatures will be a few anticipated experiments. A final piece idea I have in mind is to create a mystical woodland display, creating trees and animals from fabric, wool and various textiles. This would represent the setting in which many fairytales are set, which is an obvious element that I found interesting in early research. However, I think my final outcome will only be decided through in-depth research, drawing and experimentation. I intend to gain more skill in overall textile development techniques and display methods in preparation for higher education.
Evaluation:
I have created a general dream and fantasy research book including notes, research pages, artist evaluations and ideas. I will continue developing this alongside a more specific work book focusing on the main area of study; fairy tales and nursery rhymes. I will use this as a reflective log where I can evaluate my practice and also as an aid to support change and adaptation in research, ideas and development. I will also take part in regular group reviews where I can present and talk to my tutor and peers about my project and gather important feedback. I will make mood boards and samples to reflect my ideas and hope to create a final piece that’s exciting and challenges my personal practise.
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