Grayson Perry, my hero!

I've been really busy this week working on my world aids day project.  The embroidery stitches I'm using are done in a freeform style, and some are quite big.  Nevertheless, they are really time consuming.  I'm glad I did a time plan which I am following.  I'll be finished the embroidery in my design this week.  That leaves me time to assemble all parts and prepare my statement for assessment.
I have also been doing my PDP report.  It's taking me ages as well.  I'm not too skilled at writing reports, but I'm sure it's better than last years attempt.
I'll be starting work on my essay after this week.  I have decided to write about Grayson Perry.  I find him fascinating with a great satirical sense of humour.  I don't quite understand why he and his work appeal to me so much, it just grabs me.  Perhaps I'll find out during my essay research.  I do know that I like the way he preserves vivid memories and observations in his work--warts and all.  His work is frank and brutally honest.  I felt like this in first year when I chose Percy Wyndham Lewis for my essay.  I had never heard of him, but was drawn to his work after seeing a portrait of his wife in Kelvingrove Art Gallery.  He also had a unique rebellious personality.

The Reith Lectures 2013

Maybe I have a sub conscious longing to be a rebel! Too late I fear.
Luckily, I'm starting my research at the same time as Perry is giving The Reith Lectures on Radio 4.  I listened to the first one this week.  If Perry wasn't an artist, he could be a comedian.  His observations and related comments were hilarious.  

First piece of embroidered design

What A Yarn!

This week I am up to my eyes in every kind of yarn you could imagine.  I bought some from McArees in Stirling. That shop is like Aladdins cave.  I spent ages just touching the wools, and even longer choosing the right textures and colours for my design.  I have started embroidering the first part of my design, but I've left it in college for to-morrow so I'll have to add a picture next week.  I must write my mid module tutorial for next week, then get started with my essay first draft.  My graduation plan for PDP must also be started (everything comes in threes).

lay out of design

Following a second visit to the hospital and conversation with Babs McCool, I have decided to request a white wall space.  This will enhance the design. I aim to get a lot of embroidery work done between to-morrow and next Wednesday.

stitch samples

I want this work to be bright and colourful, reflecting the optimism and advance of treatment and research.  I will be introducing strong movement in the design, representing the tenacity of sufferers, their families and friends.
 

Keep calm and carry on!

Hospital Corridor

Foiled glass (not soldered)

This has been a very busy week.  These deadlines always approach quicker than expected. I always find the amount of work leading up to Christmas very intense. I'm sometimes running to stand still.  I've been getting lots of textile materials together, choosing colours and textures. I've also made a macquette for my design lay out. It still needs some changes, but it does what I want it to do.  I'm starting some hand stitched, machine stitched, and free knitted samples this week. There are so many options I want to make sure I choose the best ones for my project.  I've also cut, smoothed and foiled some glass for another sample. I've got loads to do for this brief as it involves mixed media and textiles.  I visited the hospital to get an idea of position/light etc.  I now know that I want my work to be wall mounted.  I previously thought about hanging the work in front of a window, but I don't think that would be possible after viewing the space available. Health and safety laws might prevent the window areas from being used.  My next step is to cut the abstracted shapes for my design, and fix them into position on a  mounting board. I'm organising all the data for my essay which I've been collecting from various sources for a few months, and desperately trying to find time to finish two research books for the essay.

Colours for Project

FORGING AHEAD

Prussian Blue Dale Chihuly

My PLP has been approved without any amendments.  This allows me to proceed with my ideas and practical experimentation.  I have been looking at the work of glass artists this week, particularly Dale Chihuly, John Piper, and Frank LLoyd Wright. They differ greatly in style, but all utilise glass to great effect.  I have also looked at some modern, random glass triptyichs.  Dale Chihuly is my favourite of the ones mentioned.  His work is vibrant, full of movement and alive. His use of lighting with the glass is amazing.
These water droplets below are like glass beads sitting on the leaf. I like the reflections and light on them.  The honesty seeds remind me of the HIV virus image I have in my sketchbook. Enough glass, I could go on all day! One more comment---I love the way the fused glass is woven to create spaces. My next task is to start experimenting with various textiles, perspex and glass. Some samples will go in my sketchbook, others will be small macquettes.

Weaving with fused glass Dale Chihuly

Virus

Honesty seedheads

Water droplets on Hosta leaf

IST Brief of THIRD YEAR

We received our new brief this week-'Alive and Well', world aids day (1/12/13).My initial response has not been good. I couldn't get past the misery and death caused by aids. I'm glad to say that I have now moved on to the positive aspects such as huge improvements in the treatment and control of the condition, optimism for the future and 'happy' thoughts regarding patients and ways to lift their spirits.  I'm looking at the qualities of stained glass, light and reflections as well as bright colours. I have decided that what ever I do will be bright and comforting to the viewer.
I enjoyed our first lecture from David.  Although it was repeated from last year, I feel I absorbed the information better this time.  I wish I could say the same.about a book recommended by David (On Longing by Susan Stewart).  I've been reading it during the holidays, but I struggle with it sometimes, nevertheless I will continue until the end-- hopefully it will all become clearer by then.  Some examples of aids posters.  Food for thought!

5/9/13 http://baruchsbreeze.blogspot.co.uk/2012_07_01_archive.html     hug me poster   

5/9/13 http://www.avert.org/media-gallery/image-210-can-you-get-aids-from-a-toilet-seat-poster

5/9/13 http://evilcakehead.com/2012/09/06/edible-aids-awareness/

5/9/13 http://scepticemia.com/2012/12/01/world-aids-day-getting-to-zero/

5/9/13 http://healthfavo.com/hepatitis-a-virus-structure.html

Third Year

Marshmellow strawberries from my garden.YUM!

Knitted Artichoke

Teddy

Here I am, starting my third year of my degree.  I can't believe how fast my course is going.  I t was nice to see everyone again.  We have a designated classroom this year with storage space which we share with the other half of our class, so only two people will use any one desk.  There were lots of problems regarding work space last year, so it's nice to see that they were addressed.We will be going on a trip to London in February.  I really look forward to that as a previous trip to Barcelona had to be cancelled. I should be able to gain much from the trip regarding my final project. I have been making enquiries during the holidays regarding craft fairs locally, and availability of sales tables at them.  I visited a few of them (most take place on a Monthly basis).  They are not huge, but are well established which is important as potential customers know where and when they take place. I have booked tables at the November and the December Fairs.  Hopefully I will benefit from extra sales for Christmas gifts.  I have been making items for selling throughout the holidays, mainly knitted goods. I will continue with a variety of hand made goods leading up to the fairs. If they are successful, I will attend on a monthly basis. I have added some pictures of my woolly zoo!

cuddly toys

Holiday blog

Beautiful North Uist Sunset

I've been for a weeks holiday to beautiful Beauly near Inverness.  We had lovely weather and the cottage we rented was 5star. The owners dog tried to stowaway in our car a few times.  That was a bit spooky as we had an Irish setter years ago. Apparantly the dog has never attempted to jump into anyone else's car. We didn't mind, he was lovely.  I continue research and idea development during the holidays, I must keep my brain active or it will go to sleep permanantly!  I have taken a variety of photos which I have stored for possible future use.  We are off to visit our daughter in the Outer Hebrides in July.  Looking forward to that as we don't see each other very often. The journey including the two hour ferry takes 7 hours.  We could probably go to America quicker.  I will be taking reading material suggested by David .  Not much to do there, a good opportunity to catch up on some reading.  We were at a great concert last week-George Thorogood.  I hear you all asking "Who?" Well he is an ageing American rock and roll singer who in my opinion(and hundreds of others) is a very talented entertainer who gives 100% at every concert. He asked the audience how it felt to be 17 again.  This sums up the effect his music has on people.  Most people have heard one song of his-Bbbbbb Bad To The Bone. George has been going strong for forty years and still sounds as good. He's a bit like myself, no spring chicken! Can't wait until his next concert. I have added some pictures.

cool George

Great meal in Beauly

George Thorogood

Breck-Irish Setter

The Last Post (For This Project)

I've been working hard getting my work up to date for assessment. Everything is coming together now, and I've fixed all the things that were not quite right and bugging me.  I've been checking my sketch book to make sure all was in order, and I've made a few improvements to it.  I made another printing plate and the prints have turned out much better this time.  I'm going to add some water colour to the brambles and wasps in the printed border of the design.  The colour difference between the border and the central area was too great, it was making the whole design look very disjointed so I applied a wash of diluted acrylic ink which did the trick and was more harmonious. All I have to do now is attach the smaller components of my piece to the base.  There are four of us doing the 8x8 brief, so we are going to display them together.  They are small and will have more impact if displayed in a group.  They will be displayed in a horizontal line. This format enables works to be viewed individually, and also as part of a larger narrative. I went to the College fashion show last week.  It was very good.

One of My Favourites

Knitted Prawns

Knitted Fish Supper

Stump Doll

I made some things for the college craft shop, I'm going to make more over the holidays.

My EightxEight piece,ready for assessment.

Small limewood walking stick,brambles and wasps

Back to the Drawing Board.

Skeletonised Holly leaf found in my garden

Thankfully I am back to normal now and my eye has fully healed.  I've managed to catch up with everything although I still feel as though all my research stuff is a bit mixed up, I'm dealing with it at the moment. The development of my final piece of work is now moving fairly rapidly to a conclusion. I have had some problems with some intaglio prints.  I scratched the design with my Dremel.  The marks were too deep an very irregular, probably due to my lack of expertise with the tool. This resulted in prints which were blobby looking as the ink was unevenly distributed in the marks on the plate. I made another perspex plate, this time I scratched the design with a normal hand tool.  The resulting prints were much better.  My final prints were done on Somerset paper with Van Dyke brown Intaglio ink. The combination of the ink colour and the paper colour go well with my project.  At the moment I'm working on the central area of the design.  I'm making various samples before I decide on the final materials which include eggshells,thorns, image transfers, carved wood and fabric.

Wasp nest with added effects

Wasp nest,natural colours

During my research, I have been looking at the shapes and colours of wasp nests. They are so beautiful, unlike their inhabitants who try to sting me at every opportunity.
I've started making notes for my statement for assessment. This helps me to compose my statement by using the notes and expanding the information in them.

The Twilight Zone

I have been living in the twilight zone since the beginning of the Easter break.  I have developed an ulcer on the cornea of my left eye, which, putting it mildly has been fecking agony!(pardon the language).  This is the first day I've been able to open my eyes, and I have spent all of the holidays either sitting in a darkened room with my eyes shut, or making frequent visits to A&E and the Eye Clinic(Each visit of course involved the usual 3-4 hour wait for treatment.)  At its worst I felt like I had sharp hot spikes attached to the inside of my eyelid which scraped down the front of my eye each time I blinked or moved my eyes. The eye watered constantly and the pain went on day and night. I've had the surface of my eye scraped with a blade for bacteria samples, and flooded with various drops and iodine. I hope this description is not too graphic for you.

 It was all to no avail , the pain only dropped from fecking agony to bloody painful, which I suppose was a bonus.  Happily at this moment, my eye is only watery and very sensitive to light.
Needless to say, I have been unable to work on my current brief, and it's mid module on Monday.  I have fallen behind.  Hopefully I will catch up with things soon. No artwork pictures this time, only my collection of medication, painkillers etc.

Happy Easter

We have started our Easter break now.  I'm not going anywhere, we are dog sitting for a friend!  I've had all feedbacks and grades for my last project.  I'm very happy with them.  I've still to get my essay mark, so fingers crossed.
I've been developing ideas for my current project "Childhood Explored" (8x8).  This will be the smallest piece I've done so far.  I don't mind this, I like working on a small scale.  I've been looking at emotions felt in childhood, especially fear and happiness.  I've looked at general childhood, but I have decided to base my project on my own memories.  Like any child, I had fears and many happy times.  For my project, I'm combining one of my fears with one of my happy memories.  Ironically, both emotions were manifested
during one event, annual bramble picking with my family.  My fear was (and still is ) of wasps,

Cell Alice Maher

and being scratched all over with big thorns from the brambles!  My happiness was being with all members of my family on an adventure which took us into the woods and beyond, the red juice on my hands (or was it blood?) And my full bucket of brambles.  The best bit was our picnic during the day, and following our expedition, a constant supply of home made bramble jelly.  Thankfully the happiness of this event overcame my wasp and thorn fear.  I have considered other memories but this one keeps pulling me back and is very inspiring.  I am experimenting with dry point prints and image transfers at the moment.  During the holidays I'll be experimenting with layering and heat distressing processes on various materials.

Wasp--The ultimate Nightmare


The ball of bramble thorns used in "Cell" pictured above, epitomises my   somewhat exaggerated childhood fear, and the wasp speaks for itself1

Integrated Project



Tassel House Victor Horta 1893

                                      

Museu du peuple Victor Horta 1897






Chair CR Mackintosh 1903



Got new brief for the Integrated project this week.  I have decided to choose the Childhood Explored brief.  This brief has lots of scope for development.  It is a specified size (8x8ins).  This is small compared to other projects I have done, I normally work on a larger scale.  I don't mind what size is requested, I will come up with a suitable idea after some serious research and development.  I went to the annual Hobbycrafts show in Glasgow last week. It was very interesting and VERY busy.  Next year I'll go on my own and stay for longer.  My Husband was with me this time.  He was very good but got fed up after a while.  I took note of some products which I'd like to try, and I got a good mixed media book.  My powerpoint presentation is to morrow.  I'm last at 3pm.  Don't know which is worse, going first or last!  Anyhow this time to morrow it will be all over.  I've finished my essay for hand in next week.  I'm just reading it over now and making minor adjustments.  I was practising with My e portfolio this week.  I'm going to need some help with this or I'll never be able to send my work to tutors.  It is a good idea, once I get used to it all will be fine.  I have added some nice Art Nouveau pictures to this blog.  My essay is about Art Nouveau and the work of CR Mackintosh and Victor Horta.  There were so many practitioners in this movement, it was difficult to decide who to choose.  I like all aspects of ArtNouveau and Art Deco.  I don't know how I've done with my Multiples brief yet, I might knoww next week.  The Hairy Bikers diet is still going weel, I've lost 16 lbs now.

A weight off my mind(and body)

Well here we are again folks.  Hand in week for PDP folder and Multiples brief.  I have reserved a table and a space for my 'tenement' (multiples).  It's looking good.  I have added a small battery operated light to the base. It creates an eerie glow.  I have used my welded tenement structure to support my textile/mixed media multiples.  Windows, closes, gates, cobbles, dolls, bones, are some of the items I have used to suggest the architecture and history of the Royal Mile.  I love Edinburgh and I have really enjoyed this project. The research and  practical work for the project have been interesting and fun. My diet is working well ,I have now lost a stone and feeling much better.  I've still got more weight to lose but I don't mind. I have added a few images of my tenement.

Deadlines approach.

Preparing to make a felted window



MDF base and slate 'cobbles'



Welded tenement fixed to base



Patchwork stained glass windows.



It's been a while.  I was ill for three days last week and it's thrown me off .

  I was falling behind a bit, but glad to say that I have now caught up. I finished the work for Paul yesterday.  It involved a lot of research and a written report so it's good to have it done.  Just need to get it bound now for hand in on Monday.  My Multiples project is now nearing completion after some adjustments which of course took longer than expected.  It is now free standing rather than being wall mounted.  I much prefer this to my wall mounted version. My original ideas have still been used, and my finished piece portrays the history, architecture and textures of the Royal Mile.  Getting my power point ready for my Art Nouveau presentation.  I will be discussing one of the artists in my essay, Victor Horta.  I've never set up a power point on my own before, so I hope it's ok. As I seem to have remembered how to add images to my blog, I have included some of my development pictures for the Multiples brief.  

My wonderful Studio!

Well here it is folks, my Studio!  No more clutter strewn all over the house.  All my art stuff is stored neatly in here.  I'm going to paint it in the Spring,  sage green I think. Watch this space.  Got my first draft for my essay back this week.  It was ok, I've just to concentrate on my chosen artists as opposed to The Art Nouveau movement, using contextual comparisons within my discussion.  We did our group exercise with Paul this week.  I found it very beneficial. Researching different artists then discussing our findings in a group discussion helped clarify what I like, and why I like it.  I looked at the work of Grayson Perry, and now I want to find out all about him and his work.  He is a one off and possesses an honesty rarely seen.  This clearly comes through in his ceramic works.  Every pot tells a harrowing story.  I never paid much attention to his work before, I must admit, I thought he was another oddball.  Never judge a book by its cover!  My multiples project is progressing quite well now following a slight hiccough regarding part of my design. After further development trials, I found a solution which I am working on.  This has involved some welding with Alison.  I found it very interesting, and the end result is a 3D piece which works much better than my original idea.  I have also made a plaster of paris mould for a trial glass casting next week. My diet is going well, I have lost 10LBS in a month.  Still a long way to go.