Acetate Experiment for Stencil

Permanent Marker on Acetate

Being a fan of the Shaun Meadow's film 'This is England', i thought for my experiments with stencils i decided to use the main protagonist, Shaun Field, as my subject. It was difficult to create the stencil effect because it was guesswork to find what parts needed to be black without overdoing the entire piece. My plan was for this piece be used as a template for a large stencil for street art. Primitive maybe, but i have used this piece on a projector to enlarge it onto a bigger surface so i can draw around it to create the outline of my stencil.

Buster Bloodvessel pen sketch

Bad Manners is one of my favorite Ska bands at the moment so i decided to do this sketch of the larger than life front man, Buster Bloodvessel (Douglas Trendle). It was really fun to draw this, Buster's face is like rubber; he is really great at making outrageous expressions. The best thing about this piece that it did not take long to draw. I felt that leaving it at just a line drawing creates a simple, yet great outcome. I found that using lines to portray form instead of shading gives this pieces a really unique feel to it.

End of Year Project: 'Fall back, Spring Froward'

In this project I was given a brief stating that I should looking at past design eras: Baroque, Georgian, Victorian, 1930’s And 1950’s. From these five design eras, I should pick one that interests me and through using the design cycle, I should create and design a outcome that could be worn on the body or had drawn influences from the human form.
For my research I started by looking at the five eras of design that was stated in the project brief. So I created a two page presentation of each design era in my sketchbook. I used various sources to gain my information. I Used books, websites and photos I have taken on my camera. For some the pages, I managed to find objects around my house that shows signs of a certain design era. For example I found an example of the baroque-characterised woodwork technique of marquetry a method of ornamentation in carpentry that involves the use of different wood-shades and types on a piece of furniture. I also used some photos I have taken in the past to show some primary research, such as a picture of a baroque snuff box that I encountered on my trip to the Victoria and Albert museum in London. After researching the design eras of the project. I started to look at Artists that use the human body in their work. At this point of the project some of my ideas were focused on creating an item that can be worn. So I looked in the work of Rebecca Horn, who creates items that are influenced by the body and worn by the body. I also looked at Artists such as Anthony Gormley and Stelarc. Stelarc in particular caught my imagination as he uses machinery such as robotics to create interactive pieces that are worn on the body. I found this industrial style of blending manmade machinery with the human body made interested in picking the Victorian era as my design choice.
My ideas grew from the research I studied. In my mind I had the idea of blending the world of industry, machines and blending it with something that could be worn on the body. As I have said, I found the Victorian era a great point to use as the industrial side of the ideas I was forming. Because of Industrial Revolution that occurred in the Victorian era, I found this a great way of introducing Victoriana into my work and possibly even bringing in some of the influences of nature that the Arts and Crafts movement used in the Victorian times. After talking to my tutor, Mark, he suggested that I should look at the ideas created by the Steampunk movement- a movement that blends the industrial side of Victoriana and modern day even fictional, futuristic design ideas. This led to me sketching a few design ideas that used these influences. I was originally thinking of creating a Chest piece that was made of copper, brass and tin.
These initial ideas soon developed. The idea of creating a chest piece proved to be difficult to create. After much consideration, the design I was thinking of making would cost too much in materials to make, simply because It was so large. I also believe that the design I made looked incredibly difficult to physically make. After presenting my first idea to Mark, he said I could still have a design that could be worn around the neck and Mayoral Badges of Office would be a great way top start. I went away and researched Badges of office. I found out that these chains that are worn by City and town mayors are passed down heir looms that are many years old. Some chains even had small pictures of past mayors. After this research, I sketched a couple of designs that could be made into a chain of office. When these sketches were complete, I picked my favourite one and started the collect materials that could be used in the creation of the piece. I found a crank cog of a bicycle that I wanted to use as a centre piece and I also found test tubes which I eventually incorporated in the design.

Close-up of Detail on Final piece

My final outcome was created over four weeks. I found this piece out of all my final outcomes throughout the year I have made, the most challenging. This was because I had a lot of various problems when creating the piece. For example, attaching the leather to the band of steel proved hard work and I found a solution to this by welding pins the band of steel than forcing them through the leather, securing it by bending over the wire pins. I also found that when attaching the copper pipe, It was difficult to bend into the right shape that would fit perfectly to the steel band. I had to attach the copper pipe through the use of silver solder and flux. I used a wide variety of techniques in this final outcome. I used sand-blasting, welding, soldering, the fly-press and weaving to get the look I wanted. I found that my piece looked exactly how I imagined it, admittedly, I did have to make a few alterations such as the colour of the test tubes which originally intended to be clear rather than green. But overall I found it very successful.
I believe I would take time in attaching certain items to the final outcome next time. As the piece on a whole is very fragile and I take great care when handling it. Overall, apart from the one area of improvement I would not change anything else about my final piece. I am really happy with how it turned out and I truly enjoyed the project.

Brad wearing the final outcome

Fine Metal Project- 'Calow Hospital'

Fine Metal was a really enjoyable project for me. I found that working with metal was a lot like working with clay; the both can be molded and manipulated into anything you want. In terms of the project, the brief stated that the final outcome should represent something that protects something else, such as a birds nest protecting eggs. As this project was to do with the Hartington unit of the hospital (a wing that offers support and help for those who are under stress of a mental illness) the theme of protection was a great place to start and create a structure that could be made for the outside area of the wing.

To begin with I started looking at microscopic organisms; I noticed that they had a sphere at the center and had spikes or tubes coming out from the sphere as a defense mechanism, protecting itself. I thought this would be a perfect way to start the theme of protection. So I researched about microscopic organisms, partaking to looking deeply into the organisms that hailed from deep oceans and seas. I then expanded my research into viruses as they have a similar form to the microscopic organisms I was researching beforehand. This soon went onto birds nests as the theme of protection was really obvious and strikes a similarity between the other two inspirational forms as some nests can be spherical in appearance.

Test Design 

This is a test piece for my final outcome. After some sketches of possible ideas i settled for this design. I wanted to create a design that took all the elements of the forms and shapes I have been looking and researching into. From this creation I made, I found all of the possible complications that could hinder the physical making of my final piece. I discovered three things; Blunt the edges of the 'spikes' to make it more safe for audiences, make sure everything is secure with quality welds and use the same tool to create bends in the wire to create a flawless look.

Worksheet showing the thought process of final designs

Towards the end of the project. I completed the designs for my final piece and portrayed my thought process through a A1 worksheet. I decided for my final piece it will be three forms in a series of three. Each one of these designs share the same theme of protection; a rough outside protecting a beautiful inside. I named the pieces 'Gemima, Gabriella and Zebidiah. The meanings for thesee names are of peace, tranquility and protecting words that link with the purpose of the work.

Overall, I found that my pieces worked well and showed the theme of protection perfectly. Each piece showed a difference to each other, yet had enough similarities to be part of a series of three.

'Gemima, Gabriella and Zebidiah'-My final outcome

Ceramics Project- 'Inside-out'

 This was my first project at College and it was a huge step up for me from GCSE art. It was my first taste of what it takes to be a true artist. I had to make independent decisions and learn new techniques that I have never encountered before. This was my first time working with clay and working in ceramics so everything was new to me. I learnt the art of coiling; a way of creating a pot using strips of clay rather than using a potter's wheel. I also learnt about firing techniques and new methods of glazing and ornamentation used of ceramic pieces. These methods were Saga firing, Raku firing, glazing; the list is endless.

Test Piece- Iron oxide glaze upon coiled, biscuit-fired clay.

 During my project I started to discover what I wanted my final piece to look like. A lot of ceramics I have seen were very refined and 'polished'. But I preferred the rough, raw and unrefined pieces of some artists. So I created test pieces without the help of a kidney to smooth the surface. On the outcome of my work took the look of being rough and worn, which I found really interesting.

My project was shaped around the forms of Fennel and hearts. They both resembled the same thing to me; chambers, layers and excursions of tube-like shapes. This was interesting to me as hearts and Fennel are natural, yet they present signs of something that is unnatural and almost extraterrestrial.

My final piece took on the shape of two forms, the fit into each other; presenting the look of a layered outcome. The best thing about my final piece is that I did not use any conventional glazes or slips. I used boot polish. Ox Blood boot polish picked out all of the crevasses of the main body of the outcome which proved effective. I also used grate polish for the 'sister' pot that proved effective.

Final outcome

I received a Merit grade for this first project and I was pleased with the result and grade. I learnt a lot of things from the project and I knew what i can improve on for the next project.

Close-up of Sketchbook

Manchester Metropolitan university graduate show

Just a post about the exhibition I went to with College the other month. Really excited about the possibilities this university had to offer and this is shown greatly though their students array of work. It is truly admirable the quality of the students work in the show, and displays the university's vast range of resources. This ranged from areas of speciality such as glassware, ceramics, film ect.

Some of the photos attached where just a few of the exhibits that really caught my eye and imagination to what possibilities could be had by studying at the university or any university for that matter. The work of Jade Alana Ashton. Her work showed inspiration from honeybees and their honeycomb structures. When speaking to the artist and asking questions via email, she informed me that her work is inspired by 'primarily narrative' ventures. In her own words, these are 'from children's literature to poetry to fairytales. I have a strong interest in politics, so like to know what's current and what's happening in the world. Flowers and anything vintage style, and a cluttered studio also inspires me. Finally - visiting places; I live in the Peak District, so going for walks around the countryside and being in places that are remote really calms and inspires my creative side.'

Overall, the trip was extremely helpful for me. I have learned how the students of Manchester work and what the university offers to their pupils. I am eagerly wanting to attend a undergraduate open day into the near future.

Jade Alana Ashton's display at the 3-D design section of the show

Close-up of Ashton's Accompanying Sketchbook

Ban Yahzeed Abadallah Hawamdeh's Work

Update

It has been since January since my last post on my Blog. It has really just slipped my mind to even update this; I completely forgot about even having a Blog. But from now on I will be trying to update at least twice a week and showcasing my work and current projects as I have a fair few weeks of Summer without having to worry about having a job to attend or anything like that. So now I have all the time in the world to work on my art.

Overall, in terms of College, it has been a successful year for me. I have managed to get three overall distinctions in units such as Theory, the combined unit of Ceramics, Metalwork and Photography. I even managed to achieve a Distinction in my end of year project called 'Fall back, Spring forward'. I will be posting all of my work I have done this year at College this week along photos of pages from my sketchbooks. In will also be posting some of the work I have been doing in my spare time, such as commissions and personal work.

Seeing that the start of College is a fair distance away, I will be trying my best to visit exhibitions and various events that I can attend. I will be posting photos of exhibits I like and artists that have caught my eye. But anyway, I will probably post again tomorrow with some of my College work.