Summer Project: Part two, Inspirations

During the summer holiday, I have looked at a few different artists for inspirations, in order to help me to develop new ideas. Such as Picasso and the idea of using colours to represent the mood. E.g. The Old Guitarist, 1903- 1904.

For the experiment, I have used black papers, instead of my usual choice white paper. I tried to use colours express how I felt toward this person in the painting. However, I felt like I am still trying to paint photographically, so I had a second attempt.  

 

Figure 1: First attempt




Figure 2: Second attempt

I feel good about the second attempt, because I have gained better control of using colours to representing the mood and border movement within the stroke.





Figure 3: Sketchbook

In order to help with the creativity, I have purchased Wreck This Journal, 2007 by Keri Smith. In the book, there are tasks and one of them is ‘collect outdoors objects only’, I have combined this with another task ‘collect circle objects only from outdoors’.

I not only collect, I have also created. Using daisy chains to create circles.





Figure 4: Magpie painting

To improve and bring the found objects to another improvement, I have used found object as the background for me to paint on. Out of interest, I have painted a magpie, I like the textures of the found object on the paper, and instead of using paint only, I have found a nail vanish that match the feather colours of a magpie. Therefore, when looking at the painting in different angles, the colours changes on the wings.

Also, I have involved text work within the painting for composition, ‘One for Sorrow’. Bringing the context of the magpie rhythm.

 

 

 

 



Figure 5: Kelly Chun, 2014



Figure 6: Kelly Chun, 2014

 

 

In the summer, I was working in a nightclub in Blackpool, called Domain. The expectation of the job brief is very different from Manchester, (For in the past I have worked at a few events in Manchester.)

For Domain, the focus point are the laser lights. Therefore, I need to capture the lights on camera shots and to make it look more interesting, I have used a fisheye lens and learnt how to use long explosion in the process.

 

During summer, I started painting the environments around me, such as people that I know, see figures 1 and 2. 

I had a moment of working indoor only. When ‘Wreck this Journal’ is all about outdoor experiment, I used that to help me combines my strength in painting and working with found objects.

I had an opportunity to collaborative with Domain, which I have learnt not only working independently, but to fit my clients need and what they ask for.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Summer Project: Influence and Inspiration 2

Figure 1: Tracey Emin – Everyone I have Ever Slept With 1963-1995.

Figure 2: Inside the tent.

The reason I have chosen this piece is because I like the idea of using already made objects and combining with collage works inside the tent (see above). I like the idea of using personal events as a material to document and making the connection with the artist through the writings / texts.

Also, the title of this piece suggests this particular time period of Emin’s personal life.  I like the message behind each name, as each one suggests a different memory to Emin. I think what makes Tracey Emin’s work unique is that she was able transfer her negative energy into art work and have the confidence to talk about it through her work to the public audience. 

 

Figure 3: Jim Dine – Tools of the Earth, 2007.

I like the idea of documenting, for example, in figure 3 the still life drawing of tools. It demonstrates the artist’s drawing skill and the composition of the work really draws my attention. I enjoy still life drawing but not photographic drawings. I like the idea of drawing the object, but then putting a few artist touches to create a sense of style, like Jim Dine does with the repeated drawing of the same tool. Jim Dine also added non-existent tone to the drawing, which is his style.

 

Figure 4: Jim Dine – Five Paintbrushes, 1973.

Documenting and measurement within this drawing is a way of collecting found objects. I always found myself drawing my surroundings because it is something that I see everyday. I think it’s a great idea to draw surroundings, especially when I don’t know what to draw, but the way Jim Dine did this drawing shows that he doesn’t stop after he finishes the drawing. This image has been reworked from the initial plate several times, which is what I would like to work on. Rather than just stopping when I finish a drawing, it’s better to carry on, because I believe there’s always room for improvement. When I have finished a drawing, then come back to it the next day, I am able to see what needs developing. It is a sense of development in order to improve by going away and coming back to rework it.

 

Figure 5: Picasso – The Old Guitarist, 1903- 1904.

I like the idea of using colours to represent the mood of this painting (see above). I think art should expressing the artist’s personality. I like to look at painters and drawers, like Picasso and Jim Dine for inspiration and I like to draw and paint myself, but then I would transfer those drawings, mood and thoughts onto fabrics, for my passion is embroidery and print.

I would like to be an illustrator in the future, therefore, I have been training myself to draw everyday. Through textiles I am hoping to develop a wide range of ways to present my work through different form and material.

Summer Project: Influence and Inspiration

 Figure 1: Face Value – Elizabeth Couzins

The reason why I have chosen this image is because I like work that has meaning behind it. The meaning behind this work discusses the current obsession for women to buy into the impossible beauty myth and the increased numbers of young women seeking cosmetic surgery procedures.

Another reasons I chose this work is because I am hoping to create my future work in the textiles direction and transfer it from illustration to embroidery.

The 62 Group Textiles Artists is something that I am interested in and I want my work to be open for anyone, i.e ‘’Art for all.’’

Figure 2: A photo and the work of Candy Jernigan

I like Candy’s work because she not only collects randomly disused objects, she also finds different ways to display them. For example, in figure 2 she uses the found-objects as still life objects and she also compositions them, and turns them into a collage. I too have a habit of collecting objects so my way of working is very similar to Candy’s. I prefer to work on found materials because of the fear of a blank page.

Figure 3: Tracey Emin – My photo album, 2013.

Tracey Emin’s work is grounded in the personal experiences and events of her life. This is a text by Tracey about why so much of her work relates to memories of her early years. As much as I enjoy her art work, I think my main inspiration is from texts as well as keeping a blog about my work and ways of thinking and developing my art. I also keep a personal journal with me at each unit and in those journals are my thoughts, ideas and things that interest me. I then would turn those into textiles.

 

Figure 4: Birds Illustrated on Vintage Envelopes by Mark Powell, 2013.

Once again, working on found materials makes the whole drawing more interesting to look at, which as I said I am starting to get into the habit of doing . I am also starting to draw on other paper materials other than white drawing papers.

Mark Powell has created a series of drawings on vintage envelopes, which have more detail than his previous work. They show the learning progress within the series. I would prefer to create a series rather than a one off piece because I think a series demonstrates connection between the artist and the audience better than a one off piece. I like to talk to the audience though my work and let them understand the journal that I was compiling as an artist.

The making

Here's a video clip that I have put together to show the making progress of me using a sewing machine to draw.

Drawing and Film: Exhibition Proposal

I am proposing a series of embroidery works for the exhibition, because I am inspired by Candy Jernigan. Maybe my use of the found object reflects my fear of the blank sheet of paper.

I enjoy working with found materials, because when looking at a blank piece of fabric, I found it difficult to start, but once I started working with found fabric, I would go back and work on a blank piece of fabric. Jernigan’s waqy of working is that she doesn’t collect random things, instead she has certain things only that she collects. She actually composes her pieces carefully and she sometimes draws instead of using the original object. I like both of these approaches because they show skills.

Figure 1: Candy Jernigan –Shelley’s wandering research: Candy Jernigan & Evidence.

Figure 2: Personal image – Using found fabric as the ground to work with.

Because of Unit X, I do not have Friday drawing sessions anymore; therefore, I have found it hard for inspiration. However, I also see Unit X as a challenge for working independently. Instead of creating something new, for example, proposing a film for the exhibition, even though I do enjoy it, but I do not see myself within the idea I feel happy developing my skills in embroidery and print, rather than developing new skills in film. From the illustrator’s talk I learnt that you can’t do everything.

Also, I am deeply influenced by the hand craft movement. Even though it’s slow progress, the feeling of successfully connecting with my own work, and to me is important and something I wouldn’t get from film. I think if I didn’t enjoy doing this, then there is no point in doing it at all.

 Figure 3: Personal Image – Handstitching on top of Films.

During the making, I got to a point where I was talking to myself, because the idea of the theme ‘Fairground’ to me was not the colourful fun performances, but it was the hard work behind the scenes that interested me. See figure 3 – I used handstitch to write work hard. Because I think whatever I do, not only in this project or just at uni, if I want something, I have to work hard to get it.

In my mind, I am thinking of having a wall space for my works, because I am inspired by Karola Pezarro - Au bord de l’eau (2012).

Figure 4: Karola Pezarro - Au bord de l’eau (2012).

I really liked this piece of work, the busyness of the fabrics next to each other, and yet, because the colours of them all are similar, it creates a delicate feeling.

Also, within my own works I didn’t cut the fabrics square by square, I tore them apart, therefore, none are perfectly straight, I like the idea of imperfection. If I wanted my work to look perfect, I would just send them all away and let the machine do the work, I want my artist’s touch within my work, and I enjoy movements, accidental within my work, because I think my work has to be reflecting my mood, my personality.

Figure 5: Personal Image – Collage

The lecture that I attended about being an illustrator opened my mind about not being able to do everything, because I tend to have that problem, wanting to be good at everything, looking at other artists work and thinking, why did I not think of that, why can’t I be just as good as them? That is because I am not them, I am me.

It takes years of practice to be good. Therefore, it is okay to make mistakes, sometimes I get upset when I mess up and it takes me a while to come to realise that I have been heading  in the wrong direction. In unit X I have been trying to bring out my best quality work through the directions of embroidery and print rather than trying to be good at film. I don’t want to be against trying new things but I do want to recognise I can’t necessarily be good at everything.