Once Upon A Rosie's

Merry Christmas 

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The Short Film That Didn't Get Any Awards

Hair More Hair

"I lost my crown for seven years, I'm now here to claim it back"

Extended Specialist Techniques

Explorer In Edinburgh

Being off on Thursday gave me the opportunity to venture up to Edinburgh with my brother Jamie, seeing he was meeting a friend who worked in Paris with him. My first initial thought was 'Great! A day off college! I can go and start Christmas shopping!'. I then thought 'I should take advantage of being in a different location on a working day'. The night before I packed my little sketchbook with pens and pencils and since having the Canon camera on lend I carefully took that with me. Expecting myself to find interesting things I could capture. 

After meeting Jamie's friend we parted ways so I started off doing some Christmas shopping. When an opportunity to capture came my way, I took the camera out and started recording. I felt a little self-conscious at first as I've never really recorded myself outside in the public before but I thought if other people can do it, I may as well try. 

I sat by the concrete stairs at the National Gallery as I thought it would be a great place to use as a tripod as I didn't have one on hand. With the of view of the Christmas Wonderland being put together I sat, ate my lunch and looked around.

I felt like a really enthusiastic tourist 

I loved going around seeing what I could claim on film. Cities like Edinburgh are always full of stories and energy and I wanted to capture people's individual life. I was wary about them turning around to see a camera pointed their way but fortunately that didn't happen!

Later on in the day I decided to sit outside Costa at Princes Mall and take out my small sketchbook for additional observational drawing. I loved the freedom of sitting in my own little world whilst looking around, looking at other people, seeing these people with suitcases, wondering where they're final destination is. 

Since it was getting cold outside, I decided to move into Costa to see what was happening. When I study in a city I can assure you I will make going to Costa a routine. 

Seeing people come and go gives me some form of inspiration. I like to listen to people talk and I also like to look at what people are wearing.

Anyway without further ado, here is my 'vlog' (video blog) of my day in Edinburgh.

Seeing as though my last video I posted was relevant to Flixel, I decided to pick individual frames out and make some more. Of course I couldn't use every frame due to there being a lot of motion in the background.

Last Thursday Jordan asked me to make a Flixel of him shaking a pen. I thought I would add this on as a little surprise ending to this post, so enjoy. 

Last Week In Edinburgh

Our second trip as a class happened on the 29th October when we ventured up to Edinburgh to visit the Generations 25 years of Contemporary Art located in the Scottish National Gallery. Since starting the course I've began to appreciate and admire seeing art in galleries more. I feel really really bad saying this but I thought galleries were quite pointless as I had easy access to the works through the internet. All I can say is that I feel disgusted thinking that as now I think the completely opposite. I love walking into a gallery and being surprised at what my eyes see, what my ears hear, what I feel.

Opening the doors to discover this in my sight intrigued me to what held within.

'Story Of A Sensible Length' Karla Black

Photography By John McKenzie

I walked around seeing the works of artists such as Steven Campbell, David Shrigley, Christine Bolland, Martin Boyce and Sue Tompkins. I admired their creations but the downside was that I didn't find one I felt I connected to, was drawn too. 

Do you have to feel connected to appreciate a work of art?

Of course they gave me an insight into what's possible but I couldn't choose a favourite. I admire Steven Campbell with his use of space within a room, connecting music with the experience. David Shirgley with his clever, dry humour he portrays. Christine Bolland and the task of the sculptures with one specific brief. So on, so forth. 

 I enjoyed the visit as a whole but as I didn't feel a connection to the pieces, I was disappointed with myself. I feel like one visit wasn't enough for me to create an opinion. I also felt like I had to distribute time out evenly to each artist as I wanted to see as much as I could. If I could go back I would sit down and just take it whatever I was observing instead of taking pictures and hoping they would do justice for later use.

Hopefully next time will be different.

Figuring Flixel

It all begins with America's Next Top Model. Watching it every year, seeing who won each cycle became quite a routine for Jamie, mum and I. The routine stopped as soon as Jamie left home. I decided to watch it this year as it was the first cycle to include both genders. While they were getting their photo's taken I noticed the photographer bringing the picture alive via iPad. I was very intrigued at how he produced the photos. When it came the time to exhibit their photoshoots in front of the judges I was amazed by the minimum movements within a still photograph. 

"I want to do that" I instantly said. 

While watching a couple more episodes I noticed a sticker on the back of the iPad, a brand sticker perhaps? 

I typed into google "moving images on America's Next Top Model" which came up with 'Flixel'. I decided to click on the official website of Flixel and within a minute I was exposed to a new way of photography. You can observe the contestants photo's here https://flixel.com/showcase/antm/

While on the website I clicked on 'products' and looked at the price for this application. I first saw Flixel Cinemagraph Pro at the price of £64.33 and thought 'there's no way I could part with that much for an app that I might not even be able to work' on the other hand I thought 'I may as well since it might benefit me with my assessments such as photography'. Just before giving up hope I noticed another version that was one step lower than Cinemagraph Pro called Cinemagraph + at £32.16 which made me a tad bit happier. I downloaded both versions on trial and I honestly couldn't see any difference at all between spending £32.17 more or less. I now had my heart set on buying the Cinemagraph +. Just before pressing 'Buy Now' I noticed below an 'Academic Discount Available'. Of course I clicked it! After clicking on the link it told me it would be 50% off. I was so happy! Only spending £19.00 in total literally made my day. The only thing now was to somehow create these flixels. 

One thing I've learnt about the process of creating art. If it's on your mind, just do it. Don't save it for later because it might never happen.

It was a Friday night around 10:30. I was sat down on my laptop when the idea hut me. I got the ironing board out, went up stairs to collect a white sheet and I started ironing out the creases. I found a tripod in the hall and attached a camera to the base. I then went upstairs with the ironed sheet and pinned it up on the wall of Jamie's unoccupied room. Since it was dark outside and the main light didn't benefit, I placed a lamp in my direction behind the camera to illuminate what was going on within the camera's shoot. I started creating short videos that consisted of myself blinking, moving my hands, using hairdryers/fans to create movement in my hair. By the end of it all it came to 3:30 am. The next day I did the same thing, turned on the camera and made more short videos. I did feel quite limited with what I could achieve at the time but there's a whole world outside I could 'flixel'.

After looking through all the footage of the night before, I decided to create a small video combining the footage to show the preparation of a flixel. 

Flixel Shoot Preparation Video

Out of these small footages of me trying my best to stay still while the camera recorded me I created these flixels. I still have a lot to do and learn but it's a start.

Final Flixels

Chance At Video Editing

On Wednesday after traveling on the bus home I decided to document my journey from the bus to my house via video. In my spare time I love to sit down, relax and watch/catch up on some of my subscriptions on YouTube. One of my favourite things to watch is people's daily vlogs. I love the fact that you're able to have an insight into someone else's life, someone who you've probably never met and lives miles away. It does give me comfort seeing how other people live their life, as weird as it may sound but it makes me think "Oh, I can achieve/do that too if I try!" or "Oh! I can relate to that!".

One of my favourites is The Sacconejolys. I discovered them back in early 2012 and have been hooked ever since. At the time I started watching them they were just married, had two dogs, were living in Cork and were waiting on the arrival of their baby girl Emilia. I have just finished watching their vlog for today and they now live outside London, with their six dogs, six month old baby boy Eduardo and two year old girl Emilia. Through those two years they've never failed to upload a video of their day which amazes me! I love the idea of recording everyday of your life, seeing the subtle changes. It's been amazing seeing the whole of Emilia and Euduardo's life so far, seeing their firsts and just seeing them grow up day by day. Also how their making a living from documenting their life amazes me! 

I remember back in 2012 I commented on one of their videos saying something along the lines of "Your life looks amazing, I wish mine was like yours" (looking back I totally disagree with what I wrote! There's no point wishing for someone else's life!). He then replied with something like "Don't worry, everything is better in the future!" which did give me some sort of hope. I can understand why some people get annoyed at people who expose their life on social media,  when people start thinking 'who cares what they do'. I can say I do agree on that.

I'm starting to go off the topic of this post but it's one of the small reasons why I actually decided to create this video. I've got to admit that in the past I've tried to create videos but I just ended up never uploaded them due to being too scared, so I decided to give it another go. Last night I uploaded the footage and started editing it on Youtube. It was around 3:50 minutes long but since the music was at a specific length I tried to cut it down as much as I could so no parts of the video were hanging off at the end. I love the idea of vlogging but the fact that it attracts attention holding a camera to your face constantly does frighten me a bit, especially when I'm surrounded by people I recognize from places etc. After writing that sentence I've started to think about what Niall told me in the one-to-one meeting yesterday. Him telling me to just do it, whatever you've started doing, you've started it for a reason and obviously because you want to so why dilute it to fit in to be accepted by other people. I just need to have belief in myself with the things I create so without further ado here it is.

Early Thursday Discussions

Art. It's one of the most hardest professions out there, yet I'm still eager to follow the path. Why? not just because of the job's sake but because it's something I truly have a passion for.

Throughout school teachers have planted in my head that "to be successful in art you have to be amazing at drawing, painting, anything art related. The better it replicates the subject, the better it is".

Is this the case? I think not.

 Since starting this course Niall and Siobhan have opened my mind to what I thought impossible possible.

Art confuses me. I'm still unsure how pieces of art can be separated into groups of bad and good. People may look at Picasso's portraits and think "Why is he famous? What's so good about him?" or Matisse's paper cutouts, saying "My kid could do that"..well he didn't. 

I guess a part of it is about the attention it gives the public. If one person talks positive about a certain person or piece it spreads and people like to join in with gossip. The same goes with someone talking bad.

Who decides what category artists are placed into? I scares me that you can't choose. Does it matter what you're labelled as, as long as you stick to what you love doing? 

Jack Vettriano was the subject of the conversation. Most famous for his painting "The Singing Butler". He may be famous for his art but his work isn't accepted into the "art world". Tea towels, coasters, jigsaws and more. He's a part of the art of merchandise. The only place you're able to witness his original paintings is in Glasgow at the Kelvingrove gallery. Vettriano once said

 'The art world is not a lot to do with art; it's to do with money and power and position."

In some cases sadly this is true. Out in the creative world  of music and art, you're able get amazing pieces of work by amazing artists. You're also able to get shit pieces of work by shit artists and somehow both shit and amazing artists are on the same level of income and population! Why is that? Even some amazing artists with amazing pieces of work don't get the recognition they deserve and I find that quite sad. 

Starting my first year of studying art, my tutors told me to keep and open mind and never stop asking questions. I have learnt that anything can be art, even the most pointless pieces can be. They can be that bad that they're good! Which does still utterly confuses me! Who decides who gets pushed out into the open of the public?

Niall said it can be connected to who knows who and I guess that can be the case! if someone who's in the eye of the public has good connections to someone who's involve in displaying art, that could help. Also if you're an artist in the shadows and you've got good connections to artist who's known nationally or internationally, who's got good connections to people who own galleries or buy art, you could have a good chance at making it big. I guess it's all down to chance and who you're 'destined to meet'. I do believe that things work out for the best as long as you try your hardest and since this profession is so unpredictable I try and stick in that frame of mind.

Overall this post is just the small beginning of my curiosity of the art world, this post in no way can sum it all up but I'm deciding to write from my mind.

Thinking about the future of my education and career does frighten me! In high school I only enjoyed doing art as a course but I can honestly say now that I love studying it! I don't feel like I'm at college to do work but to enjoy learning and finding my path way in this never ending subject. I know it won't be easy but as Rosie said "as long as you have fire in your belly". I strongly believe that if you love what you're doing, you never have to work another day in your life and hopefully when I'm older I'll be able to proudly say that!

Story of Art

"If we fight against our first repugnance we may be richly rewarded"

- E.H Gombrich

Mysterious Jonathan Owen

Since visiting the 25 Generations exhibition at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art I've been drawn to Jonathan Owen's work. Questioning how the hell he does it.

As I walked into the room containing his work, I noticed one of his sculptures Untitled (2013) light dimly, placed at the back. I was amazed at the structure of the unidentified being.

I've noticed a pattern, that I'm quite drawn to pieces without familiar faces, pieces that have had their faces played on.

In my first sketchbook for Fine Art I took faces from magazines, covered them so they wouldn't be identified then started drawing on top, also for my final piece I was placing facial features including the eyes and mouth in different positions. For Special Techniques I spray painted the forehead and eyes of front cover models which was a technique used by the French street artist Zevs. Second last unit, Viewpoint, I was inspired to paint over peoples faces to create a new identity. 

I read the description of Jonathan and found out that he was born in Liverpool and teaches at the Edinburgh College of Art. I also found out that he works by hand rather than use Photoshop. I found this shocking as I looked at his erase drawings.

 "the art uses an ordinary rubber to erase parts of the image". 

I had to try this as soon as I got home. I used my putty rubber, didn't work. I went out and bought ordinary erasers, didn't work. I scratched away some of the ink on a magazine, still didn't work.

I began writing this post a couple of weeks ago, just recently came back to edit it and I've realized that maybe he uses the rubber to outline the figure. I can certainly see it in this photo above but I'm unsure about the previous one. 

Due to my frustration I ended up just trying it digitally. These were the results so far. 

Audrey Hepburn

Moulin Rouge

This was the very first on I done, starting of in full colour. I noticed that the marks I was making were noticeable so I decided to switch to black and white which benefited the image. I found it interesting, trying to imagine what the unseen background looked like.

Mum and Dad at St Andrews Cathedral 

One thing that bugs me about this picture is the dark mark above my mum's head, you're able to notice where it's been doctored. I'll try and sort it out and see what happens.

Dad at Lower Largo seafront 

Traget End To The Holiday

 Little Story from the Summer, Late Post

One Friday night our family made our way up to Lower Largo, where we escaped from The Scottish Borders in exchange of spending a lovely week in a beautiful house by the sea. It was our first Scott family holiday in about nine years since visiting Wales when I was in primary five so it was lovely to escape from reality for awhile. I got to experience being in an airport for the first time (may not sound exciting to you but for me, it was) (one of my plans is to get a passport and visit my brother in Paris before he leaves in November (visit art galleries, see some street art, visit Disneyland and gain life experience) so it was nice to see what all happens within) to collect my brother from Paris. One thing I loved about waiting for him was seeing the joy on peoples faces when their loved ones arrived though the gates. Some holding signs in foreign languages, some even holding roses waiting anxiously, it was lovely and made me want to be on the other end.

Since my brother and sister live miles and miles away from each other, I really enjoyed being united with them as it was rare to become a whole family this year, we visited St Andrews a few times, got the famous Jannetta salted caramel ice cream, visited the local Art club, Art Galleries, Tried Fish (for the first time in six years) and chips from Anstruthers famous chip shop by the harbor, visited Edinburgh a few times on train and more.

All these miles did come to a shock with the car as it wasn't use to being pushed this far but it did survive the holiday, until the day we were leaving. Like any holiday, you always come back with more than you took which didn't help the car that much. A day before we dropped my sister off at Kirkcaldy train station, so it was just the four. On our way home we stopped off in Edinburgh to drop off my brother and to give the house key back. After visiting the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art which held the 25 generations exhibition (which I really enjoyed, with the likes of Graham Fagen's "Peek-a-jobby" play script and Jonathan Owen's erase drawings) we decided to head home when the car decided to stop dead.  

While anxiously standing on the side of the road for an hour while waiting for the RAC, a stranger pulled over and recognized us from our town, she asked if we wanted a lift back home and my mum agreed. I can fairly say that by the end of that night, I gained more faith in humanity, as cheesy as it sounds.

A few days later the dreaded day came, our old, nine year car was going to the scraps. That morning I went out, made sure I collected everything and sat for a moment, this idea came to me. I went inside to collect a pair of scissors and started cutting the leather from the car, while proceeding with that I then decided to tear more things off including seat belts, mirrors, the license plates. I didn't get everything of course as by no time, the truck came to collect it. It was a horrid moment as we watched it get carried up by the truck, it's window wiper at the back kept going back and forth as if it was giving us a goodbye. Even though it's an inanimate object that car was apart of the family, it held a lot of memories that were soon going to be destroyed, it did sadden me. 

I thought that the interior of the car may come useful for future projects. Also when is it that you get to destroy the insides of a car? I have to say it was quite therapeutic. 

Little Thought

While flicking through the TV as you do, I came across a programme on Sky Arts called 'Work of Art: The Next Great Artist'. I decided to watch the last ten minutes of the episode, figuring out that it related to 'America's Next Top Model' in style. Replacing Photo shoots of the models with final pieces created by the artists. I found the last ten minutes quite interesting as you got to see the final outcomes of the contestants. Art has opened my mind to questions unanswered. If somebody says "It's not right." I start to think "Does it have to be right?". The only thing that annoyed me was that the judges stuck only to their opinion, their opinion was the only one that was right, of course theirs nothing wrong with that as it's what judges typically do but to be 'The Next Great Artist' you can't have everybody loving your work. The more exposed you are to this world, the more hate you're open too (and love). Even the most famous, talented artist have people who detest their work. 

Future Ideas For Future Projects

After completing first year I've been thinking about what to do in my sketchbooks for the following year. It excites me gathering information for future use and last night I felt a creation coming together.

I have always wanted to express my thoughts and feelings through art as it's something I hardly done in High School, of course you have to learn the basics of art but I felt restricted. So when our first unit 'Fine Art' came around in College, I felt like it was a chance to express what I wanted to express without any barriers. I decided to focus on my anxiety and panic attacks, positive thinking and hair pulling 'trichotillomania'. I absolutely loved doing this unit as I felt like what I was spilling out everything from my mind which made me feel amazing! Surprisingly I didn't have any panic attacks in first year, I have felt anxious, it nearly developing into a panic attack, but that's normal. I do continue trying to remain a positive outlook on things but I however still pull out my hair, definitely not as much as previously but I still do even if it's only one hair. I've been pulling for seven years and this year I'm determined to beat it so I can be more confident and happy with myself.
Since it was my very first unit I would love to carry on with the ideas from the sketchbook as I feel like I'm now able to express more due to my increasing knowledge and understanding of art. 

In previous posts I said I wanted to come out of my comfort zone and this is what happened.
I wanted to show the 'dark' side of pulling but I wanted to make a mockery of it also by taking hair and placing it in places where I can't grow it. Telling my mind that I'm in control with where my hair goes. I decided to make the photos black and white as I feel like they portray more emotion than coloured. One of the following photos also show the damage, the destruction of pulling. It may not be a pretty sight but it's the truth of what can happen.

'Reflecting' 2013-2014 Year Review

Since the first year of this course has been completed, done and dusted. I thought I would do a little review of my year.

 26th August to the 13th June

Looking back to the very first day, I was scared, very shy, very nervous and self conscious (I still am but isn't everyone to some degree?). I remember sitting between Caitlin and John (Jordan came and sat next to me later but then decided to abandon us and sit next to Martin instead, from then on I could clearly tell they'd be joined by the hip, take on the year together!). I sat with my hands clasped, in taking every word Siobhan and Niall had to express. "No eating in class, no cans or hot drinks either and no phones (as I was utterly shocked to see John clearly on his phone next to me). I wanted to obey the rules, be as good as I could be but everyone knows that rules get loosened during time!

I found the first few weeks when we focused on tasks like drawing the variety of shapes and being introduced to the different medias (that was the first time I ever drew with ink freely) very beneficial as I felt like I got eased into the course and had time to interact with the people in my class. Of course we had a lot to achieve in the course but at the time I didn't realize what was coming my way. The thought of even finishing two sketchbooks that were due in December frightened me! I thought that wasn't enough time. Comparing the work I done High School to the course, the work I produced in a year at school, I could probably produce in about two weeks if I really tried. 

When I arrived, I felt like I didn't belong in the class as much, I hardly knew anything about Art (movements, artists, tools, medias etc). Of course you learn as you go which I certainly did! but I couldn't help think that. I remember when Niall told us to go to Art Galleries, as many as we could and all I thought was 'why?'. I feel very bad saying this but my opinion has changed dramatically, you'll just have to believe me! but I thought Art Galleries were pointless and boring, just walking around aimlessly. I can not disagree with that more now! I love going to Galleries and discovering new pieces and looking for inspiration as I never know what's going make me tick! For me you have to discover to make art, you have to live your life to make art and seeing masterpieces in the flesh do benefit your creative mind.

I have always been interested in Art, from a very young age with making everything out of anything I could get my little hands on and Art is definitely something I want to make a career out of. Art is always on my mind, I try and look out for inspiration everywhere I go now.

Overall deciding to apply for this course (Fashion related/Psychology/Horse Care courses did cross my mind) has been one of the best decisions I've made. I'm not only taking part in further education but loving what I'm doing, it being something I'm passionate about. I'm surprised at how well first year has went, I've met some wonderful people who have inspired me and helped me grow/break away from my shy, quiet self and I'm very grateful for that! Couldn't thank them enough! I'm excited but nervous to see what second year brings but as long I keep saying to myself "I decided to join this course for a reason, to study something I'm passionate about, to create my future and to try my best at something I love" I feel like I'll stay strong, I want to remind myself that. I'm so proud of what I've achieved this year and being awarded 'Most Improved Student' (extremely grateful!) has made me realize that everything I've done has been worthy. I could go on and on about reflecting on first year and how much it's changed me but I'll leave it here for now. I still have a long way to go but second year is going to be another step in the right direction! 

Breaking Boundaries

*A couple of weeks ago*

While trying to gather, sort and do my best to complete, I was finally coming to the end of my Specialist Techniques unit on Street Art. This unit was my turning point, the beginning of a new way of producing pieces and ideas, pieces that i'd never imagine creating a year ago. I decided to chose this as my topic as it was completely out of my comfort zone, something that of course interests me also. 

I feel as though I was starting to label myself as the girl who does delicate, miniature detailed drawings of flowers etc. This was my chance to express myself more in a new, exciting way. "I may as well since this is what the course is personally about, walking down new routes and discovering secret strengths, finding out more about myself as an art student. Since the unit was coming to a close I thought, should I do some  actually Street Art? Siobhan suggested it to me awhile back but I knew that the answer I was going to give was no, never. I had to buy spray paint anyway to fulfill my ideas so two days before handing in my sketchbook I sat out in my garden spray painting onto paper and rocks that I found on past walks thinking "Why am I doing it the safe way?" It's called Street Art for a reason. After pondering over the idea, I decided to wait till it was dark outside. I encouraged myself to go out and do a bit of spray painting. Probably the most scared I've ever been at creating art. "When it strikes 11:30pm, I'll go out". I put on one of my hoodies (hood up, zipped to the top) and started walking with the clank of spray cans that I hid within my hoodie, clenching onto my stencil for dear life. Close to home, I chose a wall that held an electricity box. Stupidly I chose a place right under a lamppost (something that I've learnt not to do for the future) and quietly sprayed in bursts. The blurred outline of my eyes were forming on the wall. Carrying on with another, I went and down a step that was part of the stairs on the right of my house. I put my eyes also with the painted words 'LOVE YOURSELF' on top of the set. Writing something positive was my goal as I wanted to convey a message that could brighten up even just one person's day, even though it seems a tad cheesy, I think that it's something important that we should do, we should love ourselves for our personality and appearance. After creating them I felt quite guilty at the fact I just 'vandalized' for the first time, but it quickly melted away as the next day, while up in my bedroom I heard these two kids cheerfully saying "OH! love yourself!" to one another. 

This was my first attempt at this and of course I'm no 'Banksy' but it was a good experience that I risked taking.

*I currently don't have an image provided as I left my memory stick in my pencil case, at college, but I will upload one as soon as I can!* done.

Afternoon Out At Monteviot

Since we're doing a unit called "Ideas and Concepts in Art & Design" which is focused on Botanics, we went on a little trip to Monteviot House Gardens in Jedburgh to gain inspiration. Our goal is to design a suitable item that could be included in a Monteviot shop. I found the gardens beautiful and so relaxing as I felt exploring the place made me content. With the help of Caitlin somewhat being my guide since she went last year, she showed me all the places that would be most interesting such as the Japanese Garden or "Oriental Style Water garden" as the sign said. 

 

For this unit I would love to go down the textiles route since I haven't done anything with fabric and sewing needles properly for a couple of years. I have decided to create a brooch as in the past I've create similar objects. Due to having my idea, I kept my eye out for anything that sparked an idea or interested me and inspired me.

While walking back from the Oriental Style garden this caught my eye. I loved the weaving of the branches that created some sort of shelter. I thought I could use wire or mesh to re-create this woven/gathering technique as I could create a mechanical/metal flower that would be suitable as a brooch.

I found this part of Monteviot beautiful, I would love to live somewhere like this with the perfect house and perfect garden. Even though Botanics is mainly about flowers and plant life, I wanted to focus on the architecture as well and somehow combine it all together. Forming bricks and roof slates into petals? Using the colours available here in this picture to create a 'new' flower?

The cluster of leaves here reminded me of felt which could relate to my chosen design. 

Textiles within nature.

 

I also loved the shape and movement of these pieces, the bench, the gate door and the stone sculpture. I would love to include some of these aspects into my work. Me and Caitlin were also discussing that these designs could also be made into a wallpaper which I found very interesting and unique. I will try and take on the ideas that I discovered from this trip and see how my work goes.

Louise Bourgeois Exhibition

On the 27th of January our college class ventured up to Edinburgh to visit the Louise Bourgeois 'A Woman Without Secrets' Exhibition. I personally didn't know what to expect as I knew nothing about her. In a way I found not knowing anything about her a good thing as I was able to approach her work with an open mind and gain an immediate reaction. As I walked into the exhibition I was quite surprised at her work, the sculptures of the spiders, the drawings and paintings of bodies. Her work spoke the truth of her life without sugar coating her art so it will be more pleasing to the eye. Instead I feel she exposed all her thoughts and emotions and turned them into art and because of that, I enjoyed discovering her work while trying to figure out what it says and means to me.

While I was walking around I got the idea to take notes so I could refer back to them later on. 

 

 

One of my favourite quotes of hers that I read on one of the information plaques was

"and yet you cannot do anything about it. You had better be it's friend, or accept it, or love it if you can, because it might get the better of you, you never know." 

This quote means a lot to me as it reminds me to accept the challenges within myself. When I was younger I tried to befriend my panic attacks by not fearing them but comforting them, I would calm myself down just the way I would if any of my friends were feeling anxious. My anxiety did take form of another person within me (the part of me that was shy, scared and empty) and throughout the experience of coping I decided to become the bigger and stronger one of the horrible, negative 'person' that lives inside by accepting myself.

Spider (2001 - 02)

Even though I was amazed by all of her truthful and heart filled art pieces, I felt as though I related most to this one. For me this piece symbolises fear taking over, spiders are most commonly known to be related to fear and nightmares. I feel as though the room represents a situation in life that is hard to overcome, it suffocates you as the room seems very claustrophobic and narrow. The two squares within the walls on either side could represent windows (windows to freedom and happiness) but the spider (your fear) is blocking the way.  

Spiders where a common theme in her work.

"The Spider is an ode to my mother. She was my best friend. Like a spider, my mother was a weaver. My family was in the business of tapestry restoration, and my mother was in charge of the workshop. Like spiders, my mother was very clever. Spiders are friendly presences that eat mosquitoes. We know that mosquitoes spread diseases and are therefore unwanted. So, spiders are helpful and protective, just like my Mother"

I find this quite interesting because Louise see's spiders in a different light, as a symbol of her mother. Another thing I've learnt throughout the years of studying art is that everyone has their own take on a subject, everyone sees things differently. For example you could think you've seen the most beautiful painting in the world and their will always be someone else who will see the painting in a total different light and think it's completely awful, this is just one of the many things I enjoy about art.

Eileen Cooper - Barefoot Duet, 2011

As the title indicates "Barefoot Duet" it seems that he shadow is taking on their own human form. Just like Degas' Three Ballet Dancers I feel like movement and energy runs through this print as if it's been caught in the moment as her hair and limbs are placed in odds angles. I feel as though her shadow possibly represents the opposite side of her as a shadow is only a former shell of your actions, not emotions. 

Jasper Johns - 0 through 9, 1960

Lithograph

This print my Jasper Johns' is quite interesting. For me the more simple an art piece is, the more I feel I should be looking for a deeper meaning within. The title indicates that it is numbers 0-9 layered on top of each other but I wonder why he placed one on top of the other. Maybe he wanted to blend all the numbers together to show that some of the hours go to waste as we don't usually appreciate every hour of the day, we often loose track of time as hours can blend together if we don't keep track. I do quite like this print but I still feel as though I haven''t found a proper meaning within.

Degas - Three Ballet Dancers

While studying this piece I have came to love this print by Degas. I am amazed by the detail and techniques he has used to achieve the final outcome. I feel that because it's only got the two tones of black and white, it shows more emotion within which connects to the subject of the piece as ballet dancers are delicate and try and convey emotion from dancing freely. As it has a dark background I feel that it makes the ballet dancers glow and light up with energy as I can imagine them dancing as I look at the print. That's one of the reasons why I like looking at new art I have never seen because you can get an immediate reaction at first glance and with Degas' Three Ballet Dancers I have found liveliness and a source of power.