Mid Module Tutorial time

Things are hotting up now.  I'm up to my neck in projects, Tying up loose ends on some and still ploughing through others.  I still have quite a lot of printmaking to do so I'm getting the plates ready this week for printing next.  I'm working on my 'Cocoon' and Connect' pieces, they are quite time consuming so I want to push on with them.  I have been adding to my sketch books this week too.  I'm not sure whether I want to choose an artist or an artistic movement.  I have a short list--Art Nouveau,Art Deco, Archibald Knox or Barbara Hepworth. I have a strong interest in all of these, my choice may be difficult.  We have had our tutorials this week.  I'm on track so if I continue in the same way I will hopefully present good end results.

Messing about

I've been really busy this week trying new workshop skills.  I've been well and truly plastered!  It's a messy business.  I 've been doing some intaglio prints.  I really enjoy printmaking and look forward to improving my technique and making better prints. 

My steampunk base for the 'Second Life' project is finished.  I'm ready to start work on the figure which will stand on the base.  I'm trying various fabrics and colours to see which work best.  Then I'll have to decide on the style of clothing.  It will be Victorian with a modern twist, incorporating some aspects of steampunk.  I will be using some photos of the base in printmaking class.  My garden workshop arrives next month.  It's 8"x8" and I can't wait to move all my stuff into it.  My house constantly looks like a bad day in the College workshop.  There's never more than a plate sized space on the kitchen table. I'll have plenty of light, a workbench, and shelves for everything.  I have a nice sunset picture taken in the Hebrides this week, no reason it's just beautiful.

Steampunk 'junk'

We started printmaking this week.  I made some collagraphs using tissue paper, feathers etc.  I also scored and varnished card which was printed.  I tried using MDF, lino, and caustic soda on lino.  I won't get the finished prints until next week as they still had to dry.

I have been doing some temporary trials for the constructed text brief.  I'm enjoying the variety of skills involved, and trying to narrow my final word/words down.  Still got lots of things to try before I make a final decision regarding word and materials.  At the moment I am favouring connect, cocoon, and abrupt.                                                     

My second life brief is coming along.  I've decided on placements for my steampunk figure on the base.  I have made a wire armature for the figure and cut the base from MDF. My next task is to make and fit all componants to the base before starting the figure.  I have loads of scraps of fabric, leather and all sorts of steampunk stuff. 

My husband got a bucket of 'rubbish' from a friend who is a plumber.  It was so exciting.  Wire, shower hoses, copper bends, brass nuts small bits of wire and much more.  Oh no, it's not rubbish it's like gold to me!                                                     

New College, New Challenges

Here I am in second year at Raploch campus.  The facilities and views are great!  Just managed to access my blog to-day,  thanks Paul.  We have been given new tasks and briefs.  So far we have 'Second Life' and constructed text. I have been doing temporary trials and paper folding for the constructed text.  I will also do some 3d trials using various materials before I decide how my finished piece will look.  I did some wirework relating to the constructed text ie. chain links=connect. The word connect was attached to the wire links and also made of wire.

I will be making a doll with a steampunk theme for the 'Second Life' brief, using re-cycled materials and findings.  I find this brief exciting, the steampunk genre is very interesting.  We were inventing a new super hero with a Scottish twist in contextual studies this week.  We have to choose names and design costume for next week.  I've been gathering information and art samples of Kate Downie for printmaking class this week.  I have chosen some of my photos, and did some drawings which I feel reflect the work of the artist.

Holidays

On holiday now.  I don't know what to do with all this time.  I've been looking at various artists and techniques as I don't get much extra time to do this in term time.  I've tidied all my art 'stuff ' as it was taking over the house.  It's all neatly filed, labelled and stacked ready for second year. Still can't stop gathering things. At the moment it's feathers, small pieces of wood and brightly coloured paper.  I think I'm turning into a magpie.  Went to see the Degree show at college (twice ) unfortunately each time we went, the work was being assessed.  Managed to see the great textile display and Trevor's beautiful stained glass.  I  spoke to Fiona Jenkins and admired her amazing work.  I've been following her blog but until now havn't managed to speak to her.  She's a lovely person and I'm glad I met her before she moves on.  I'm waiting on my results at the moment, hopefully they will be good.

This week I'm working feverishly on my museum project pieces.  Why is it always the smallest details that take the longest?  Anyway I've just got to fix 'Jock in the Box's' head on to his spring and get him in his box and that's it.  Transformation was being assessed yesterday so fingers crossed.  I'm concentrating on my essay this week.  Trying to stick to the rules and write it in the correct way.  I've added a couple of pictures of my 2D piece and a small part of my 3D piece for my Transformation brief. My theme started with the inner structure of trees(2D piece) then progressed to an Arboreal Fantasy of a 'vase' of flowers made by using tree componants ie. Bark,paper,twigs,recycled tea bags to make flowers, pine cones and various other materials which enhanced the overall effect.

The end is Nigh!

I've been working hard on various projects.  Transformation is due to be handed in on 15th May.  All is going well, and I'm nearing the end of this one.  I am making an 'Arboreal Fantasy'--inspired by the inner structure of trees.  My museum brief is next to be finished.  I am almost finished this one, I've left the hardest bit till last, but I should finish all of it by the week end.  My presentation is over.  I was very nervous but I think it was ok.  I should have used some bullet points instead of trying to remember everything.  My nervousness obliterated some information.  Got my PDP folder back from Paul I got a 1A! thought I'd just write that down for posterity. Last but not least, essay is due in for David soon. I like this photo.  I took it from my window as it was getting dark.