Wow I can't believe how fast this semester is going? I'm on target so far with my project and I've started experimenting in my sketchbook. There are so many techniques I want to try from image transfers, intaglio and collograph printing, to textured backgrounds to name a few.
My project will focus on the relationship between the past and the present looking at what has stood the test of time from the Industrial Revolution. Castlefield was the birth Manchester from the settlement of the Romans, of the worlds first passenger railway and home to one of the first canals, the Bridgewater. When taking photographs in Castlefield my main focus was on the bridges, viaducts and the canal basin in Castlefield. These features have stood the test of time and are still strong component linking the past to the present.
When researching secondary sources using the internet and books I have looked for old images of Castlefield and Manchester to use to represent the past and I will use some of my own images to represent the present. These will be integrated into a mixed media background. I have found some interesting ephemera during my research, such as old train tickets and train timetables. The layout of the timetables gave me the idea of using squares and rectangles to help break parts of the image up. This will also have the effect that there are more than one focal point, though not distracting from the overall effect. I aim to blend them so that they appear as a suggestion of constraint whilst achieving a loose appearance to the whole image.
I have decided I want to go back to some mixed media techniques that I experimented with when I started practicing art 4 years ago. Over this time I have covered many techniques, which I will be using along with some new ones. However, I will have to watch out that I don't use too many, as I have a tendency to have alot of ideas and techniques I want to use and therefore I have the problem of refining these to a few. After I have finished with my experimenting I will decide which ones I will use in my final piece/s.
I have been thinking long and hard about how I am going to display my work. Do I use canvas or board? How am I going to embed various materials, such as paper, cotton, watercolour paper, card etc? Do I use shapes to help break up the overall effect?
I have decided to use numbers and words that I feel are significant and I had thought of using clock faces to signify the passing of time, but I have changed my mind, although the numbers of clock faces my appear in my work.
I have created two large photomontages, from which I can produce some abstract sketches. I then aim to take these further using intaglio and z-acryl printing. By experimenting with this form of media I can then ascertain which will work well on a mixed media background. Watch this blog for updated images from my sketchbook and experimental canvases.
I've been wondering which artists to research and so far I've looked at Turner, Caravaggio and Rembrandt, who all practiced the art of chiaroscuro, the use of strong contrasts between light and dark. Having read quite extensively about applying a variety of mixed medias on one page or canvas the consensus is that using light can draw the viewer to look at specific areas, whilst not letting other aspects of the scene become less important.
Pierre Adolphe Valette tutor to L. S Lowry painted many areas of Manchester. He has produced painting similar to how I want to portray to past in my work; almost ghostly. The reason for using images or paint in this way is to create depth alongside stronger clearer images or mixed media techniques.
Well that's all for now. I will be posting images and further developments in the near future.
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I am a new up and coming mixed media artist currently studying my 2nd year at Macclesfield College on Creative Arts for Employment Foundation Degree.
Since April this year I share a Studio Workshop and Gallery space in Macclesfield with three of the students that are on the same course. We are all quite diverse from one another; one specialising in textile and embroidery, and the three remaining artists have all created our own techniques in mixed media.
We will eventually have guest artists exhibiting their work and we'll also be doing workshops so that we can share our knowledge to all ages.
My work is primarily centered on natural forms such as abstract flowers, landscapes, seascapes and ceramic work that is both textural and with the feeling of movement.
Colour has a strong influence on me and this is reflected in my work mainly strong and bright or subtle, however the mood or subject dictates. When looking around me for inspiration colour is the first thing that has a major impact on me with texture a close second. Due to colours influence on me this is the first thing I consider when starting a new project and then I decide if I'm going to add texture to the canvas, paper or board. I use photography, watercolour, acrylic, mixed media, printing & ceramics as a means to translate what I see. Some of my work is representative yet I also like to experiment with small compositions & paint abstract images from them. I use a wide range of media from tissue paper to tile grout in my acrylic & printing work to add texture & depth; this makes my work both visual & tactile.
I have been commissioned paintings & I'm available for more work.