My hand stamp.

During the process of this unit, I have found that I need to be constantly being inspired, for I am a snacker, constantly fed up with my own work, thinking it is not good enough and asking what else I can do. 

I have been asking myself where am I in this project, where and what is my hand stamp?

Well, I have come to realize that my strength is in embroidery, and with embroidery when I combine everything (different machine stitch and handstitch) that’s my handstamp.   

Figure 1, Personal image. Overlapping with embroidery and drawings.

I have introduced flowers within the theme ‘fairground’. The reason for this was that I enjoy drawing natural objects, and I was making the connection between the fairground rides and flower structures, with my way of working, my strength is using found objects, therefore I have started to use found fabrics as the ground.

 I think I have finally come to realized that I have a good eye when combining things together – collaging. Therefore, this led to layering.

Figure 2, personal image, machine stitch and drawing.

I have been to a lecture by an illustrator talking about her ways of working and not being able to draw photographic drawings.

The talk was very inspiring, because I was frustrated at myself of not being able to draw on to fabric, meaning that I did a really good drawing in my sketchbook, then I wanted to transfer this onto fabric by using a sewing machine to draw, and yet it didn’t come out as what I had in mind.

However, I came to realize that less is more, by using a few lines to suggest what it is, it turned out actually better than drawing every little detail in. I realize I can work with line drawings, which I never thought was possible before.

I enjoy using line drawing to draw, because I think it really gives my work my touch. So I have been experimenting  with the idea of collaging and overlapping with drawings and embroidery. See figure 1 and 2, of my collaging.

I like the feeling of busy within my work, because I think it gives a lively feeling, for I am a lively person, and my work should reflect my personality  - colourful and fun.

Figure 3, personal image. My working area.

I have come to love my working space, because it does really help me with my working process for I come in the studio, look at my wall, and straight away, yes, I know what I need to do next.