Friday, 28 March 2014

Blog posting 1 - RESEARCH

Research is an important part of any project, but as my work and drawings tends to include a lot of detail and collaged elements, I wanted to get lots of visual imagery to work from. I found the trip to Taton Park very inspiring, and the grandeur of the building was the key inspiration for my baroque theme. I did lots of sketches as we went round the building and I was most interested in the immense amount of detail everywhere around the house, from the architecture to the furniture and objects within the interior. The archives were very important for furthering my ideas, as it helped me to gather plenty of baroque images including gilt frames, lace work and jewellery. I was also really intrigued by the random collection of ‘miscellaneous objects’ in the archive, and would like to work this imagery into my work somehow.


One of the most important things for me in this project has been the chance to learn about other disciplines in the art school, and to think outside the realm of textiles. This is where all the lectures have been rather interesting, and very much helped with my research. I have particularly enjoyed learning more about ceramics and 3D design, and would like to see how techniques and ideas can be applied to my own textiles prints. It has also been very interesting discussing ideas with students from other courses, such as illustration and 3D design, as it has helped me to look at how I research and work in a different way. I was surprised at how interesting I have found the content of the 3DD course, and would be interested in working with them in the future – I really love the finished quality of glass and glazed ceramics. My research into the products that the National Trust shop sells has also been integral, as its important to see what they already sell so that my product is suitable but also fills a gap in their product range.



I already knew of Paul Scott’s work, but I found his talk extremely inspiring in the way that he talked about historical blue and white plates, and the amazing patterns involved. I already use a lot of collage in my work, but I liked the way Scott blended motifs together in such a coherent manner by using all one colour or line style – something I would like to reflect in my own designs. From looking at collage in a baroque sense, I looked back at the work of Timorous Beasties to bring my research back to my practice, and think about how traditional and more modern imagery could be combined in a print. All the detailed lace in the archives made me think about using my paper cutting skills, and led me to research into the intricate paper works of Andy Singleton and Elsa Mora.



It would be very easy for me in this project to just do drawings and make a print collection, but I wanted to push myself and so I wish to experiment more with techniques. Talking to students from other disciplines has made me want to think in a more 3D sense, so I hope to use paper cutting and wire working techniques alongside my drawing, so help create motifs for my digital prints. I hope that working with different materials will help me to think differently about my work, and inspire me to create something innovative and new for the shop that is still inspired by the beauty and grandeur of the properties belonging to the National Trust. 

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