MMU Degree Show Review, 2015

Figure 1: Day of the Dead by Alice Pickworth

Alice Pickworth

Textiles in Practice BA (Hons)

‘As a print designer and illustrator, I enjoy channeling my love of colour and drawing through vibrant and exciting screen-prints. Throughout my final year, my designs have revolved around the theme of Mexican Culture, with the contrasting concept of Vulgar Beauty. I have explored this concept through drawing, colour, texture and various fabrics to try express the liveliness of such an expansive culture.  I have focussed my attention on creating detailed and layered designs; made up of hand drawn illustrations, which are then digitally manipulated and experimented with, before being transferred on to screens. My prints are designed with high-end womenswear in mind, and this is expressed through chosen fabrics and complex printing techniques.’ Alice Pickworth

Figure 2: Pelican by Alice Pickworth

Seeing Alice Pickworth’s work in the degree show had inspired me to think there is no limit to the scale of my work can be, as figure 1, Day of the Dead as a hanging piece.

Using drawings and develop into repeat patterns are what I would like to develop more in final year, for I enjoy using my drawing skills and illustrate a story onto fabric.

Particularly the drawing skills here are inspirational and this is directly related to the subject I am drawing.   The larger concept of animals helps me focus my drawing skills.

Figure 3: Pelicans and Iguanas by Alice Pickworth

Seeing the work of Alice Pickworth has given me ideas of how I can use my illustration skills into The Prestigious Textiles Award, which is a Bradford Textile Society Design Brief I was given to work with. A design that is suitable for domestic curtains, upholstery, cushions and blinds, drawn in repeat.

Analyzing repeat patterns is an area which I recognize will be useful in my work.

Repeat pattern is subtle:  colours evoke a sense of a negative inverted image the animal body shapes fit well together and cover the space well.

MMU Degree Show Review, 2015

Figure 1: White Tiger by Roxy Appleton

I enjoy looking into illustration as I am interested in the visualization made from drawings through a graphical representation.

The student I was interesting in was Roxy Appleton, Illustration with Animation
BA (Hons).

‘I’m always on the lookout for interesting patterns or scraps of material from fabric stores to photograph or scan in; I then use these samples to create collaged landscapes and animals in Photoshop.

After picking up a couple of basic AfterEffects processes, I taught myself how to use the program and, bit by bit, created an animation with what I learnt. I generated all the sound effects and music myself.

Following on from this project, I wanted to go back to making things rather than working on a laptop, and so I started to turn my designs into a collection of homewares - it now includes handmade, hand-printed cushions, purses and doorstops, as well as hand-printed mugs, tote bags and coasters’ Roxy Appleton.

As my summer year project, I have been basing the idea around animals, which I find Roxy Appleton’s work appealing, how she used found patterns and collaged with animals. Also I noticed her work audience are aimed at homewares and textiles.

Figure 2: Giraffe Cushion by Roxy Appleton

During my second year at MMU, I have been trying to create products for homeware, such as designing my own fabric and using my drawing, print and embroidery skills.   

The found fabric provided the inspiration for the image.  It is well blended.

I will focus upon a quality product, working towards a perfect bespoke piece that mirrors a manufactured piece.

Figure 3: My design inspired by Whitworth

In the final year, I have been trying out a new drawing style.

Digital printing into houseware is a manufacturing method that gives a clear image and is able to be mass-produced.

Using software you are able to remove elements of the artists ‘touch’ errors and uniqueness found in a drawn image.  The digitised copy resembles a print.

Figure 4: Sketchbook Drawing

I feel my way of working are similar to Roxy Appleton, such as combining two subjects together.

Urban animal contract

Metal and glass- juxtaposition inspiration: ink and watercolour :  ink for a wolf? Certain materials are easy to manipulate and brush strokes and hair marks are visually similar.  Even the tools used show urban animal contract.

Originality and creativity through making new combinations: 

Looking for new was to bring existing art forms together to create a new hybrid style that is original.