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.