Data

I had an idea to document the life of a pigeon, from an egg, to a chick, to a fully grown pigeon and to a dead pigeon, but I couldn't make a connection between this idea and data until I thought of the population of pigeons in the UK.

I managed to find a chart showing the population of pigeons from 1994-2003 . I drew a dead pigeon and then I used tracing paper and drew the population chart so that it overlapped the drawing of the pigeon.

I think the line worked well with the angle of the body, and the tracing paper gave an effect to soften the tone of the drawing.

The idea of pigeons, was from taking a walk in Withwroth park. I always seem to see a dead body of a pigeon in the park. I thought this data is something that not many people have thought about, because pigeons are all over the city and they are common. I guess no one would bother if a few of them died. I feel like I want to look at the things that other people overlooked. 

I found this quote from The World According to Karl: The Wit and Wisdom of Karl Lagerfeld, 

"I hate the idea of lumbering people with whatever's left. When it's over, it's over. I'm against memory. There comes a time when you have to pack it in. I admire the animals in the wild. When they die you don't see them again. "( Mauriès, P and Napias, J-C (2013) 158)

I also like to move forward and think memory can become baggage, but I don't want to overlook things that are meaningful in life. 

It fascinates me to think about who might be interested enough to collect data about pigeon populations. 

 

Mauriès, P and Napias, J-C (2013) (The world According to Karl) London :Thames and Hudson. 

100 meter line

I admire Candy Jernigan's work, she is known as a found object artist.
 

My first idea to represent 100 meter line was to go to Whitworth park and use a 100 meter long string to tie two trees together and fill the space in between with the lines.

However, I know there is no such thing as original, because there's always some artist somewhere who has done similar things, but still, I would like something that came from my own idea and to know that I wasn't just adopting another artist's approach without being interested in their work.  

 

I used found objects, I collected twigs, and later I selected 3 out of a bunch, and I hammered one on the wall, and used a roll of thread to tie the 2 together, to create a sense of flowing, the shadows reflected the threads and the twigs, I know the thread did not create 100 meter length, but I was looking at how the light and shadow, positive and negative space multiplied the line. 

           


 

 

 

 

Later on, I was looking at Candy Jernigan's work and I like how she uses different ways to represent her found objects, through collage and drawings.

I have taken this idea from her on board, it happened accidentally. My dog chewed up the twigs I found at the park, and she also chewed up my Embroidery wooden hoop in to many pieces. I used those wooden pieces and placed them in five orderly lines, and another piece at the other side of the paper. I then started to draw them, drawing the found objects, within the found objects themselves.

 

Sampling - Print

The task was to peel off the vinyl and use it to draw a continuous line drawing, in the process the vinyl might snap, it might stick togther taking two lines or more.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=726415747368699&l=4095143104314127170

(See the link for video of the process)

Working in a team of six, we decided to give one another a role to do. So, someone filmed the process and someone did the peeling and we all did something. Working in a team, showed that we all have different ways of thinking. I jumped in and went ahead and started peeling. Thinking about it afterward, I realised I acted without discussion with my team members, which might have made them feel left out. Having roles worked well, once we decided what we were doing. I felt like I learnt how to communicate a bit more clearly with others and to compromise.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=726418410701766&l=489980301429716867

(See the link for video of the process)

For example, I suggested to use the positive space and negative space of the vinyl and wall, then another member of the team was more interested in 3D, and at the end, our ideas combined togther.

 

 

Mapping the City

I have decided to document my journey from Manchester to Breadbury.
In order to get to Breadbury, I will need to walk to Piccadilly train station then get the train to Breadbury.

People mention that I describe a lot, so I descibe what I saw, heard and sensed.

As a starting point, I have written down a list of items I carried with me.

I have also used photography to record my surroundings.

 

 

Instead of taking photographs from usual angles, I started to think about seeing things differently, for example, taking photographs from below, because I took Fiona, my dog with me on the journey, I thought it would be interesting to adopt her point of view, therefore, I have used black and white images.

 

Later on, I have used my images as a template and worked on them with black ink, I drew a list of objects, in the order that I walked past them, and I have placed them on a piece of paper, thinking about the composition to represent my journey.

 

 

 

I have also tried to draw straight lines while on the train to recreate the movement changes on the train.

 

Thrying to push the idea of mapping the city further, I plan to collect found objects to create a collage, so I can relate this idea to collecting data.

 

I can also use the found objects as a drawing tool and use it to record my movements on a piece of paper.

 

I plan to look at related artist, Candy Jernigan for inspirations of found object in order to push my ideas further. 

Evaluation of Origins unit

Evaluating Practice 

I have developed my way of working in this project by making connections between practice, practical work and visual research. I mainly gather inspiration from Friday drawing sessions and looked for related artists. I also got inspiration from my surroundings, for example found objects and natural objects in everyday life. 

Whenever I run out of ideas, I look back my drawings, it opens my mind to ideas and away from the machine. With Friday drawing session, I was advised to collage and I didn't understand what we were being asked to do but I researched the suggested artists and that helped me to understand the brief.

Drawings used as templates for stitching have become my blueprint. This makes me feel more confident using the machine to draw. I see using the machine to draw as being the same, but just with another tool. This has been different from how I was taught before. Before I was told what to draw, but over this unit, I have been exploring how to draw. 

One of my strengths is composition and how I can transfer that into hand-stitch. 

In terms of composition, this units forced me to experiment more with different approaches. Eg I did not like to use fabric, to develop ideas, I used paper first and to find my own pathway and only then move to fabric.

Therefore, I started to develop my own way of working, through different material choices. I enjoys working on different types of paper, so I have started to collect receipts. This is one example of me using found objects, thinking more carefully about the choices I am making in terms of materials, meaning and the connection between these. 

Certain artists inform my work, Egon Schiele in his use of colours, lines and composition. I use colours to draw attention to my work and have started to develop my own colour palette, this way of working was influence by Schiele.

I continue to use accidental stains that are made during the process of drawing and making. I have realised during this unit something about the need to experiment several times to achieve quality. 

I have realised that using machine stitch is just as flexible as hand-stitch. Once I gained control over the machine, I started combining these techniques together, using different types of hand-stitch and machine stitch. 

I never realised before that the machine can do so much. This has also fed into experimenting with composition using the machine. This needs more work, I must remember to tap back into this flexibility, in future work. Also, I need to spend some time on the Cornely machine to improve my skills and confidence.

During the chance card week, I have taken photographs of Manchester Art Gallery and was inspired by the building structure, the glass roofs and how the sunlight reflects on the glass and shows the building layers. I have used these photographs to help develop ideas. This helped me realised why I choose particular materials. 

I enjoy the transparent fabric and I have started to layer and collage my works. 

I have realised that I am repelled by patterned fabrics, I did try to work with patterns and I am able to work with floaty patterns that are more free styled, but I struggle with very structured patterns and do work better with plain material. 

I am free style in my thinking. When the tutors asked us to do crouching, I decided to link it back to found objects and use the waste products from other people's work, which gave good results. I am the kind of person who looks through the bin. For example, Tracey Emin informs my work, because in her way of thinking, it's about story telling. When I collect found object, I would think about the story of the object itself and how I can transfer that into a story through practical work and experimenting.

I am managing my studio time well, because I organise using the machine while in the workshop area and do the editing, hand-stitch, technical file and sketchbook work at home, therefore, I am making the most of the availability of the machine. I have improved my skills on the machine, I use it for time saving techniques with complicated stitches and I also use it as a creative tool. 

I have always liked the work of Alice Kettle, in particular she works on the back of the fabric and now I always look at both sides of the fabric from observing the way she works. I am making connections with designer and artists' research with my way of thinking, practical work and experimenting. However, I realise that I have not done enough new research using my own interests and this is something I need to improve. 

Friday drawing day

Using kinder egg's toy to create mark-making. 

Sampling

This is a sample of couching that I have done on the machine, I was experimenting with what types of 'stuffs' that I can couch with and I found some left over threads on the floor from other people and used them to couch down onto fabric.

Shoes Drawing

 

I have always been a big fan of Egon Schiele, because of his style, how he uses paint to highlight tone, create depth and his way of addressing twisted body shapes by using expressive lines.

 

In my work I was trying to response to that style, by using different shades of blue paint for blue shoes only, different shades of red for red shoes and so on. In each pair of shoes drawing, I was also experimenting different drawing style. On the left, (blue shoes) I have first used continuous line drawing, then working with different shades of blue to fill in the form. However, I have left it unfinished, because some of Egon Schiele's work was left part coloured in.
In the middle, I have used white paint to highlight the light area on the shoes, but on the right side I have started thinking about using the background itself as the positive space.

 

For example, Russian prisoner of war, 1916.

I thought this way of working draw more attention to the work itself and also showing having the skills of photographic drawing, but having thought about the compostion in another level of working.

Combining drawings and hand stitch

I was inspired by Alice Kettle. Her work involves combining drawings, prints, hand stitch into contemporary textiles.

In the Guise of an Angel

I have found this piece very inspiring, the use of colours, the textures and the energy within have bought movements in to this piece. I was trying to create the sketchy feel in my work by using mainly drawing and use little hand stitch just to bring out the details.  

The making of my works.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=704698019540472&l=3135599664767579340

Open blanket stitch

The colour on the background are accidental, I have been using this piece of fabric for ironing my ink-up receipts, therefore, the ink stain got onto the fabric.
Then I have started cut out coloured fabric and place them on top in a collage way and used chain stitch, french knots and open button hole to creates the petals of the flower, on each flower, I was trying to creates more details by creating smaller loops.

French knots sample

On the chose of fabric, I have chosen to use already dyed, because I do not enjoy working with white background, I have started to develop my own colour palette. However, I still sometimes photoshop my work into black and white, just to give it a dramatic effect.
On the fabic, it already has machine stitch as the background and I have worked onto it with french knots to bring out the textures, I have focused on the foldes of the fabric and used french knots to hold the folds together.

Overall, I like the worn out textures.  

Sketchbook drawings

Experimenting with lines and colours. Again, this was drawing from the plants I have at home. 

Series of work, transferring chance card drawing into textiles

I have decided to work with the environment around me, in this case, my plants. I have observed different parts of the plant and used hand stitch to creates line drawings on the found object, receipt. 

I have first wet the recipes then used indian ink and dripping it on top, let the ink soak in, put it under the water and soften the colours and let it dry. 

  

I like the feel of papers and the marks it left of where the needles has been, I think papers requires looking after while working with it. However, tears marks can be interesting too. Working with receipts, it gives an idea of mapping the city, creating a connection outside the studio and ''leaving a foot print of where I have been.''

Friday Drawing Day 25/10/13

This is a photograph that I have took of the actual objects.

This is a drawing that I have done on Friday. (25/10/13) I have first used blind continuous line drawing to get the basic form of the objects then I have worked into it by using paint. I have chosen to draw as detailed as I can on the first two pairs of shoes, then at the back I have decided to use a paint brush and use continuous line drawing again, but not filling in the details, because I thought the structure of the object itself was rather interesting, therefore, I have only worked on the positive space. I really like the composition in this drawing that I have done, because at the front, the colour red are really eye catching and at the back, (the heels) are rather abstract comparing them to the four shoes at the front.

This is a drawing that I have done at home, I have first used paint to create movement and also mark down the structure of the object, then correcting it with a black marker, because the way I see this object was the diamonds that has been stuck on the front of the shoe was really appearing to me, therefore, I have used line drawing to repersent the form, pattern of them.

Open blanket stitch/ button holes

This is my sampling of open blanket stitch/ button holes. I have used double thread as well as single thread to make it look more interesting, from the left hand side the stitches are more in control and on starting on the right hand side the stitches are more loosening, this is because I have not tie the knot on to each hoop to tighten it up. However, I thought of this is a nice piece of sample of seeing the transfroment of in control to loosen up.

Transferring chance cards drawing in textile work (part 2)

This is a photocopy of what I have done in overall, on the left hand side is my textile work inspired by a mushroom, in the middle is some ribbons I have found and I have started to loop them together, because I have been taugh to do the open blanket stitch, but I have found it difficult to remember which way I should put my needle, therefore, I have thought of recreating this hand stitch technique without having to use the needle.

This is my without needle open blanket stitch, or looping.

Transferring chance card drawing into textiles work

This is a photograph of a mushroom that I have found in Withworth Park, I have taken this as my inspiration and starting point.

This is a photograph of my samplings, I have picked out one of the chance cards: draw with 20 lines. I have first drew a mushroom, then adding my own instruction to, which was: draw with 20 lines, after that use a rubber to rub out the drawing and repeat as many times as needed. Therefore, the drawing would ended up with rubbed out lines as well as the new ones. 

Then I have transformed that into textile work, first I have studied the colour of the mushroom and decided to use a rather light weighted fabric to represent that, however, I have later on added threads onto it ,but leaving the middle empty, because in the picture above, all the lines based around and leaving the middle part empty. 

French Knots Sample

This is a task of using French Knots only. I have decided not to work on fabric but to work on a plastic wallet. Therefore, it shows the back of my needle work as well as the front.
I was trying to transfer a henna design my friend have done on my upper arm into textile.

This was a birthday present that was given to me by my friend. I was inspired by the complicated lines, I have tried to use different types of threads to repersent the line quality, such as using machine threads as well as hand-stitch threads.

However, I thought continue to work on this piece.

Cornely Manchine Sample 3

I have used the Cornely Machine as a drawing tool in order to draw a continuous line drawing, after I have gained more control and experience over it. Again, this is from one of my still drawing in my sketchbook and I have transfered it into textiles.

This is a still life drawing that I have done, I have overlapped different types of drawing styles together, such as continuous line drawing, using straight lines only, both hands drawing together, left handed drawing and standing up and looking over my drawing gives me an over view and better movement of the way I draw, for I have not only used my hands but my arms.

Cornely Machine Sample 2

After I have gained more experience at the Cornely Machine, I have more control over it. I have used my drawings as a starting point and transfered that into textiles.

This is the drawing that I have worked from, this drawing was done in using non-drawing tools. I have studied at a red leaf that I have found, I was looking at the way it folding it self after it has been dried out and how the colours changes. Then I have used different types of Cornely machine to repersent that, I have used moss stitch and chain stitch to address the vains on the leaf.

Cornely Machine Stitch, Sample

This is just a sample of using the Cornely Machine.
At first I have found it hard to control, for the Cornely Machine design is really different from a sewing machine, on a sewing machine I would have my hands on the fabic, foot on the paddle, in order to control the directions. Where on a Cornely Machine I have my foot on the paddle, but there is a handle under the table, even though I have step on the paddle, but the needle won't move unless I pull down the handle. Also the handle is where I have the control over the directions, like driving a car.

Shoes

This drawing is from one of the chance card task- Draw a drawing for 5 minutes for 60 minutes.
I have planned to draw both shoes, however, I have realised I have not spend my time evenly on both shoes drawing. Therefore, I thought of having one detailed drawing and one continue line blind drawing. I thought this way it makes the drawing look more intresting.

Long Drawing

This is from one of the chance cards - Long drawing

I have folded an A4 piece of paper in half and started drawing 4 different water bottles in front of me, they are all similar and yet different in design. I have decided to use line drawing to bring out the colours on the objects.