Fashion Illustrations

As well as photographic visualisations using a model, I also decided to use fashion illustrations to illustrate my scarves. I used the ink templates created sevral months ago as a basis for my illustrations, and editied elements. I considered how I wanted fabrics I had already created, including devore and digital prints, to be used. Some examples can be seen below:

Scarves

As the project draws to a close I have taken the oppertunity to photograph my digital mimaki prints as scarves, kindly Modled by Natalie Cole, some of the best images can be seen below:

Brownie Break

Between university work I managed to squeeze in a little time to bake, for the first time in many years. I decided to make a cookie brownie to take into university and share amongst friends, and I think we all enjoyed it with a nice cup of tea.
Here are a few snaps of the brownie fresh out of the oven:

Scarf Designs

Based on my studies of insects and spiders I began to create designs suitable for printing on the Mimaki. I plan for the designs to be printed as disperse and transered onto sheer fabrics to create scarves. Some of the designs feature Wasp mimicing insects such as moths and beetles, however my favourite design features a swarm of stag beetles.

Colour Palette

As part of an exercise we were asked to create a colour palette from one of our own photographs. I chose a photograph of a web I took in Shropshire last year. I used photoshop to pick a palette from this image, and to look at the spectrum of colours in a specific section of the image. The results and my final colour palette can be seen below:

Creepy Crawlies ...

As my work progresses I find myself again returning to the idea of assembling insects into patterns. Therefore it was necessary to draw more pen drawings suitable for screen and digital development. Some examples are below, I also began to draw bugs and insects as well as spiders, expanding my studies to the creatures which become trapped in webs.

Airy Citadel ...

'It appears to me that almost any man may like the spider spin from his own inwards his own airy citadel.' - John Keats

The above quote inspired me down the path of studying spider webs. I wanted to capture the beauty and technical perfection of a web in my visual studies, so I experimented with different media and techniques, including collage, watercolours, biro and cutting. Below are some of my favourite studies:

Pattern concepts

As my drawings developed I began considering my work on screen and how I wanted to involve spiders and webs within my designs. I manipulated an early drawing of a spider on photoshop to create the circular design below. I put this design and some variations onto a craft screen to begin testing printing techniques and possible ideas to be carried forward. I specifically made the screen to assess how the image would appear as a Devore print. As a technique new to me I felt that observing how line qualities worked was essential.

Come into my parlour ...

As my 'Fine cobwebs' project gets under way I have begun my visual studies for the project. I felt that logically it would be apt to begin with the spider itself, not webs. My drawings (and choice of topic) has received mixed reactions thus far. My thinking behind the project revolves around irrational fears and phobias, and how we seem uncomfortable with the sight or thought of a spider (not me personally of course) and I have been reading several books concerning arachnophobia and attitudes to spiders.
Anyway, here are some of my early visual studies:

Frosty webs

As I begin my new project I am looking everywhere possible for inspiration, and after a particularly frosty spell I stumbled across spider webs covered in hoar frost, they were the perfect oppertunity for me to build up images of webs, here are a select few photographs:

Araneus diadematus ...

A suitable starting point for my project seemed to be collecting together all my existing photographs of spiders, webs and insects. As an amateur Nature photographer, these were in abundance. I feel that using my own images to draw from and take inspiration from is an important part of my work. Here are a select few photographs:

End of the first semester

Today I collected the results of my semester one assessment; and the grades I would receive for both of my projects and all visual studies and practical work for year two so far. I was very pleased to receive an A in both areas, and receive positive and constructive feedback. My work was also retained to be moderated.
This also marks the start of my new project, and with a vast array of topics to choose from I have chosen something which holds a personal interest to me; 'Fine Cobwebs'. From a young age I have been fascinated by spiders and their webs, so this is something I am eager to explore artistically.

Here's one of my photos of a Garden Spider from a year or two ago:

Creative CV

After a recent set of lectures on professional studies looking at copyright and CVs I completed the set assignment, to create a creative CV. The assignment brief suggested that the CV be published on our blogs if we wished, and i thought that this was both fitting and apropriate, so heres my CV!






(If you require a complete copy of my CV please contact me)

Digital Disperse

Being a great purveyor of innovation and tradition I decided to use digital disperse within my work, as I am working on a modern project. I was incredibly happy with the results. This was my first time using the mimaki for disperse, and it worked fantastically! Here are some of my digital designs prepped and ready for the mimaki (and adhering to the colour atlas):

Origami Obsession

As part of embracing different levels and elements of Japanese culture I began to indulge in the art of origami. Origami is something Ive never quite got to grips with in the past, so with patience and determination I set out to learn how to make one of the most recognisable symbols of Japanese culture; the Crane. After a few attempts I was pleased with my Cranes and soon became origami mad. I found the pass time both soothing and relaxing, and began working on the concept of creating a graphic print from 'crane chains', which reflect the Japanese tradition to make 1000 cranes and have a wish come true. With that in mind I designed the graphic prints below. I also adapted this idea to the concept of making fabric from actual cranes (below).

Japanese project

As my Japanese project begins to develop I find myself once again turning to text and typography as an inspirational force. I seem unable to turn my back on my love for type, but I will try to limit it within this project!
After studying Japanese textiles for 2 years at college I initally found it dificult to move away from the traditional themes I enjoy, but after some project research I had a more clear focus on modern Japanese design, as opposed to ancient.

But, for old times sake, lets take a look at my bold step into the modern world!

From hand made, hand embriodered Kimono (and a rather ridiculous model :P):





To modern, graphic prints:





And Ill leave you with that stroll down memory lane!

Future Beauty at The Barbican

Our new project has been roughly outlined and will revolve around the exhibition 'Future Beauty: 30 Years of Japanese Fashion' which many members of the second year visited today, myself included.
This was my first trip to The Barbican Gallery, and I must admit I was shocked by its humble and hidden exterior. Inside the gallery was obviously a very modern and airy space.
I found some garments within the exhibition inspirational, particularly those by Mint Designs and Rei Kawakubo. Seeing Issey Miyake's work first hand was also a useful resource for my on going essay on Innovation and Tradition.

The exhibition runs until 6th February 2011, for more information or tickets visit:

http://www.barbican.org.uk/artgallery/event-detail.asp?ID=10771

And here's a rather ridiculous photo of me wearing my new 'political statement' hat at Covent Garden:

Final Prints: Screen

Here are some of my traditional prints created using the designs on my screen and/or disperse. They also use free motion emboridary in areas. These are some of the final prints within my collection:

Final Prints: Mimaki

Here are some of my final mimaki prints for the 'Rule Britannia' project. The digital prints were always intended to be a base fabric for my collection, with overprinting using a screen an intended feature to create a mixture between old and new (possibly an idea influenced by my essay on Tradition and Innovation). I also decided to leave some of my prints as purely digital designs.
Here are a selection of my favourite final prints, all are digital print with traditional screen printing and one also features free motion machine embroidery: