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Tuesday 28 February 2012
Friday 8 July 2011
Degree Show
Here's some photographs of my degree show - unfortunately no dresses or chairs as I hoped, so felt a bit disheartened... But all the same I got it up and presented, nice and simple with a few little glass jars. Was super pleased with my scarves, I'm hoping to get some better photographs of the patterns and colours in them to maybe start selling on Etsy. Let me know if you're interested at all!
I've also had some really great feedback on my ceramics, which was really lovely. Thanks to everyone for their encouragement! I'm hoping to return to college soon and get making a few more cups and maybe try some thrown pottery too. Can't wait to get stuck in and making again!
Me and my sister, Megan...
I've also had some really great feedback on my ceramics, which was really lovely. Thanks to everyone for their encouragement! I'm hoping to return to college soon and get making a few more cups and maybe try some thrown pottery too. Can't wait to get stuck in and making again!
The Print Project
I made an enquiry about some business cards for my degree show - I really wanted some lovely letterpressed cards and they certainly delivered and with really quick turn around. Printed on Cairn Eco Kraft recycled stock and my details handset on the reverse, I absolutely adore them.
I'd recommend them to anyone who loves and appreciates a lovely bit of letterpress, so a big thank you to Nick for my amazing cards!
Tuesday 5 July 2011
Update
I've had such a busy final few weeks at college and I can finally say hooray! It's finished!
I've received my marks back and I've been awarded a First Class Degree, so I'm super super happy that all the hard work has paid off :)
Now for big scary world... I'm not precisely sure what I want to do or where I want to go, but I'm keen to carry on with my ceramics and textiles and continue designing and making. I've just moved into a new house in Leeds with my boyfriend - there's 2 bedrooms so I can enjoy lots of space and an extra room for creative things like sewing, painting, designing and making everything I possibly can.
Over the last 10 months or so, I've also been involved in a really exciting project with Leeds Art Gallery and The Artist Rooms: Damien Hirst exhibition. I've been one of the coordinating managers for the whole project, getting involved with administration, communication, curation, designing, making and editing ... Such a busy, stressful but super exciting project I'm so pleased and proud to be able to say I've been part of.
Our exhibition is now open at Leeds Art Gallery - A Series of Artworks Carefully Arranged is inspired by the work of Damien Hirst and is a selection of work from the Gallery's permanent collection. It's almost coming to an end as the Private View is on the same night as the Hirst exhibition on Friday 15th. This is followed by a fantastic event at A Nation of Shopkeepers, which features an array of audio and visual delights! So please come down and support us and have a dance if you're in the area. More information here.
I'm hoping to get some photos up soon of my Degree Show and final scarves and ceramics designs and updates on any more projects I'm potentially getting involved in. Exciting times ahead!
I've received my marks back and I've been awarded a First Class Degree, so I'm super super happy that all the hard work has paid off :)
Now for big scary world... I'm not precisely sure what I want to do or where I want to go, but I'm keen to carry on with my ceramics and textiles and continue designing and making. I've just moved into a new house in Leeds with my boyfriend - there's 2 bedrooms so I can enjoy lots of space and an extra room for creative things like sewing, painting, designing and making everything I possibly can.
Over the last 10 months or so, I've also been involved in a really exciting project with Leeds Art Gallery and The Artist Rooms: Damien Hirst exhibition. I've been one of the coordinating managers for the whole project, getting involved with administration, communication, curation, designing, making and editing ... Such a busy, stressful but super exciting project I'm so pleased and proud to be able to say I've been part of.
Our exhibition is now open at Leeds Art Gallery - A Series of Artworks Carefully Arranged is inspired by the work of Damien Hirst and is a selection of work from the Gallery's permanent collection. It's almost coming to an end as the Private View is on the same night as the Hirst exhibition on Friday 15th. This is followed by a fantastic event at A Nation of Shopkeepers, which features an array of audio and visual delights! So please come down and support us and have a dance if you're in the area. More information here.
I'm hoping to get some photos up soon of my Degree Show and final scarves and ceramics designs and updates on any more projects I'm potentially getting involved in. Exciting times ahead!
Tuesday 31 May 2011
Shabd
Nancy introduced me to this beautiful collection after seeing some of my dyeing from the weekend, by designer Shabd Simon-Alexander. She makes limited edition collections, based on simple shapes with attention to fabric combinations and compositions.
Shabd’s line uses quality natural fibers including luxurious silks, organic cottons and textured wools. Both ecological and cultural sustainability are a consideration throughout the design process: “It’s very important for me to be socially- and historically-conscious as well: I want to know where and how my clothes are made, and I want to know that they have a history behind them".
I'm absolutely in love with these pieces; the colours, the patterns, the choice of fabric, the style of garment, the elegant and simple finish to them and their completely natural tones.
This has given me the urge to make some really simple and elegant dresses up for the Final Show, (absolutely love the maxi dresses above).
Hmmm.... Is is too late to consider making one for the deadline in 2 days? .....
Shabd’s line uses quality natural fibers including luxurious silks, organic cottons and textured wools. Both ecological and cultural sustainability are a consideration throughout the design process: “It’s very important for me to be socially- and historically-conscious as well: I want to know where and how my clothes are made, and I want to know that they have a history behind them".
I'm absolutely in love with these pieces; the colours, the patterns, the choice of fabric, the style of garment, the elegant and simple finish to them and their completely natural tones.
This has given me the urge to make some really simple and elegant dresses up for the Final Show, (absolutely love the maxi dresses above).
Hmmm.... Is is too late to consider making one for the deadline in 2 days? .....
Sunday 29 May 2011
Location Shoot
Nancy invited me along with her to a family friend's house just outside of Headingley. The house was the perfect setting for a little location shoot for Nancy's wallpaper's (see some bits and bobs on her website & blog). She asked if I'd like to bring along some ceramics, despite being my research bits, I went with it and I'm pretty pleased with the results.
We had a few issues with lighting and set up of the camera, both of us have basic photography experience - so lesson learnt there! But I feel really pleased with my final images in comparison to the let down I felt following the first glimpse of everything straight out the kiln.
My ceramics with some of Nancy's textiles above.
And to make the trip even better, the family had THE coolest dog named Eddie and a sweet little cat called Bella, who was just adorable as anything. Cute :)
We had a few issues with lighting and set up of the camera, both of us have basic photography experience - so lesson learnt there! But I feel really pleased with my final images in comparison to the let down I felt following the first glimpse of everything straight out the kiln.
And to make the trip even better, the family had THE coolest dog named Eddie and a sweet little cat called Bella, who was just adorable as anything. Cute :)
Dyeing Fabrics
Some photos from my weekend at home which were spent natural dyeing and printing. Here's some sneak peaks at what went on, sorry for the crap quality photographs, I think I need a new camera!
Experimenting with natural Japanese Shibori dyeing
I found an excellent little blog post all about Shibori dyeing at home, such a straight forward process with really exciting results, would recommend it to anyone wanting to jazz up an old top or some bed sheets! Have a read here.
Experimenting with natural Japanese Shibori dyeing
I found an excellent little blog post all about Shibori dyeing at home, such a straight forward process with really exciting results, would recommend it to anyone wanting to jazz up an old top or some bed sheets! Have a read here.
Saturday 28 May 2011
Ceramics Update
Time's been short recently with lots and lots going on... So here's a few images from my latest ceramics days to catch up...
Shrinkage:
As my first big batch came out following their glazes, I found the mugs had shrunk considerably more than what I expected. So to remind myself, I took a handful of photos to demonstrate the change 2 firings can bring.
Original casting mold, with final fired and glazed piece:
Graduation of firing: from L-R - cast of original mold, first firing, 2nd firing + glaze.
My first batch of glazed pieces:
I didn't feel confident about these at all... the glazes were really unsuccessful, there were several cracks that developed in the first firing and most annoyingly, the results were not what I expected or wanted at all. (The glazes acted odd and didn't fuse to the insides of the mugs, instead formed big, lumpy, ugly messes in the bottom!)
Second test pieces:
The results here were much more consistent after a few tweaks to the glaze recipes. I carried on working with some oxides of titanium and ochre to add some details, unfortunately they still haven't come out as strong as I intended.
The finals:
I've made a few tweaks to the surface design to combat the flat finish a lot of the pieces have had so far. I've layered on a simple texture using an avacado skin cast, which hopefully brings out a little depth in the glaze due to the variation of clay, as all my previous pieces have been fairly smooth and flat. Firing this weekend and I can access these on Tuesday morning. (To hopefully glaze and fire to come out before Thursday at 4pm!!!!)
Monday 23 May 2011
Britain's Next Big Thing
Britain’s Next Big Thing has been really inspirational program to watch, particularly the aspiring creatives pitching to Liberty London.
The program follows a range of people hoping for their work to make the shelves in Boots, Habitat and Liberty London. The stores are looking for reassurance the potential sellers can meet expectations on price, manufacture, quality and delivery, which is really interesting for me, in consideration of how I practice this with my own work.
Two key practitioners that have stood out for me is ceramicist Tom Hopkins Gibson, and Professor Richard Weston and his beautiful scarves. Both artists are greatly inspired by the forms, patterns and colours of nature, which are extremely relevant to my work. I absolutely adore the work of both of these talented creatives, might need to save some pennies to buy some on my next visit to London.
Two key practitioners that have stood out for me is ceramicist Tom Hopkins Gibson, and Professor Richard Weston and his beautiful scarves. Both artists are greatly inspired by the forms, patterns and colours of nature, which are extremely relevant to my work. I absolutely adore the work of both of these talented creatives, might need to save some pennies to buy some on my next visit to London.
Researching Ceramics
Potfest in the Pens 2011- Penrith, start of August
List of Exhibitors - http://www.potfest.co.uk/penslist.htm
Definitely popping this in my Diary, sounds like a fab day out!
List of Exhibitors - http://www.potfest.co.uk/penslist.htm
Definitely popping this in my Diary, sounds like a fab day out!
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