G . O : Living Space

Getting On : Kitchen wall art

I moved into this flat and couldn't find anything  to decorate the kitchen, beyond a vase and a recipe tin to decorate the space. I did make some curtains with my fabric stash to match some of our appliances and cupboards  - black and white. So I decided I needed some colour and use up some paint while I was at it.

Since we just moved in it made sense to use up these canvas boards, and paint to free up even a little space - to help me enjoy the space.
We had decided to go with yellow for the kitchen, for a few reasons; I love mustard yellow, my vase, it works nicely with black and white, and lastly its a bright and strong colour since we don't get  alot of direct sun in from this window after 8am. It helps that my partner wanted some bee themed, yellow and cream beige additions to the kitchen and for dining table.

I started a quick sketch of the flowers I wanted - Daisies just like my fabric for the curtains. With sketchy outlines and all white. Then I did the backgrounds for the canvas with layers of yellow, mustard and a few mixed tones - in gouache(the darker mustard - i had more of this than any other yellow) and acrylic. 

While those dried I decided on my composition and whited out an area I decided the flowers and other features would be. Layering the white only where the petals and other bright features would be. It took me a while to be happy with the background - since I don't have much practice with backgrounds - textured or detailed.

I took a full day to do both canvases - alternating as they dried helped. I'm not super happy with the end results just content and they provide the colour I needed for the space. I do have a home for when I finally replace them - my nana wants them both and enjoys them more than I do.

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G . O : Living Space

G . O : Workspace

Getting On : 

Workspace - My Desk 

Well, I have my work space more furnished for me now. I moved in January 2019, I starter with building a desk after my first few months - I didn't have a desk to move int with, until my partner. But he also got an upgrade later on too. So it took me entire day to put together this desk from B&M, only because the 'locks' for the interlocking sections are super annoying for me. But when it was done I had a clean white desk with; my oldest sewing machine (its a year older than me), my computer at an angle and my brocade style place-mat. I finally had work space for myself, my art and just general filing of things away. So the next jump was to fill my shelves, just under the desktop - too easy, and to customise my space and the white walls I was sticking with. I didn't feel like I want to hang too much or paint because this is my first place renting, with my partner of 10 years - I simply don't know how long we will stay here. So I got some art up too - If you follow my Instagram you likely found this fell down - scared the life outta me at 12/1am to not realise this happened till the next day. Luckily - I hope I don't jinx this - this hasn't fallen again, yet.

1st black shelves, then white desk

It was always the plan to save up and come back to add more storage that would fit well for both of us. Well the first addition was these tall slim DVD / CD shelving, we got from amazon. This came in about 5 boxes, but the shelving is similar to IKEA and we can adapt the shelving height. This is perfect for my partners dragons, and both of our collects of DVDs, games and books. With space to grow, as well. But we have papers and files and other collections to store.
So, the next thought was deeper shelves and cupboards but they also had to fit in either 2 spaces. By the door or by the window.


I picked out this glass fronted cupboard that was close to the depth of the wall and a deep shelving unit -both are deep enough that they will let me have folded fabric, boxes and best yet, my sewing machines stored sideways. I have two full sized and the cutest mini machine (that is a real pain to use, but it was my first and the only one I've brought myself).  When I got these units, my partner also treated themselves to a new desk - this is a kids desk pulled to full height and is no more than 2 cm shorter than mine. The pull was the shelving attached to the back and the legs have mini shelves between them - ideal for cable management or as he uses them for pencil cases, sweets and cable ties.

I still haven't decorated the glass front cupboards as the doors have to be clipped completely to do it - unlike the descriptions from IKEA.I had two guys and me putting these together and it was still difficult. So I want to display my swatches and art in the doors. But because its a right faff I am holding off until I can find a combination I won't want to change straight away.

In the end I have the shelves and cupboards pretty full already, but there's some areas for aesthetics, and only a little left as a space to grow if any. But I have also freed up space elsewhere, since I had a jumble of stuff in other areas. Now I have things collected together and loosely organised. I have been trying to go through my fabric stash, since I finished this. It's a lot quicker now since I know where my zips are, my ribbons, thread has three bins and patterns are all gathered together as usual. Decorating a these bits and pieces has also been a fun way to use up my art supplies too, as well to enjoy the space.

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G . O : Workspace

G.O & C.W : Back!

I know I've been really quiet, but when I started my job I had to take some time - but oddly I've done so much sewing and drawing, but I've had to leave my blog behind for a while.
I was creating clothes, alterations, planned projects and my own photography on the weekends, with plans to document it all here. And I still want to.

I'm coming back. I am losing my job ~ for business reasons, and looking for more work. This will keep me busy, I want to share on here, a lot of what I do.

So I hope you like - full sized back packs - cloaks (going for belle's winter cloak, from Beauty and the Beast), lace paneled shear skirts and a some practices. I'm aiming for button holes. Something I need more practice on, and I could do so much more. Also going to try quilting for the first time. It seems more scaring than button holes.

I also have some patterns and lovely fabrics to share.

I am aiming to start posting by the end of July.

Thanks for reading, I hope to have more to share soon. x

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G.O & C.W : Back!

G.O: My tablet is working!!!

I have my tablet back! After a few weeks, I have it up and running, since last night. So, now I can get back to designing on my work and build on my old work. I should get back into the spoon flower contests too!

I have had to put so much work off, without it. I got straight back into practicing last night. I started right away with some free hand work - of a girl, then adding her clothes. Not as well drawn as I would have liked, but good enough. I wanted to practice outlining, and drawing with a base to apply layers above it. I did the odd process of drawing the body and adding the clothes and shading and hair, along with over details other a lot of layers.

I actually did her left hand backwards twice. But, other than some improvements I'm pretty happy. I think if I tried this again, I would use references for a better drawing overall.

I'll likely post my art soon, and I have made some already. I'm getting lots of practice in.

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G.O: My tablet is working!!!

Old school sketchbook work

 

Sketchbook work from school - this is about 7 years old now.  This piece is a study 

of an artist - I haven't noted the name. Made in watercolours, pencil and some graphite.

Above and below a wax and fabric painting. Based on sea shell work. 

Above is the paper it was layered on, below is the fabric.

Some flower work - pressings and watercolour work outlined.

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Old school sketchbook work

G.O: Butterfly Doodles

I've mentioned my interest in Spoon flowers contests and weekly competitions - well I thought I'd share my work to draw butterflies. I actually went out of my way to but a little antique book of English Butterflies.  I posted an image of the book on my Instagram. 

This little book with its coloured plates of butterflies - claiming them to be true to size, allowed me to explore different sizes, shapes and colours of Butterflies.

I used felt tip pens with water - to dull the colour and then build it over layers. It also allows for  strong lines of colour and bleeding in areas. I used the pens like watercolours and it can create similar results though some colours are much harder to build upon (e.g. yellow) and grey/blacks are hard to keep strong without it bleeding into several other colours when too much water is used.

I also played with composition to create a much busier pattern, something I don't often do. I wanted all the colour and the clashing of all the butterflies. I played with scale, with different sizes and never repeating a pattern. Though this allowed me to play and explore more than create a final piece.

I am sorry, but I won't be sharing my final designs any time soon. However these 

studies and drawings will inform further work. This will be created using a digital

 tablet and software. I am really looking forward to continuing this work.               

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For those interested:

 Spoonflower's weekly contests

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G.O: Butterfly Doodles

G.O: One summers floral work

I've mentioned this floral theme, for a summer project, two years ago. This is mostly the resulting work - the imagery developed differently for the different sections of work to suit the textiles. This also revolved around developing digital work in each area, using the industry machines and software available to create the work - from  Print, Knit, and Weave. Print was the first section, followed by knit then weave. This allowed me to develop the imagery very quickly. Using my sketches to make rough sketchy prints and another set with line drawings to being in colour and detail in different measures - Allowing for clearer detail. Though we also had to create manual/hand processed work for each section too - on domestic knit machines, printing, 

Though its difficult to pick up detail in some machine knitted work I choose to continue with sketchy work  like the flowers below with ink drippings and painterly textures flattened into 3 colours - the back ground, the flowers and the detail. Designs like this and similar to the one below would need to be cleaned up make any imagery clearer. This could be done through varying the stitches rather than colour with the machine we used. We did use manual technique alongside our digital work to make a varied collection of designs and textiles.

As print meant using more software and layers to my work than before - I played with layering my textures and designs. My designs consisted of digitally drawing and designed imagery, as well as cleaned up sketches and scans. I also scanned different textures I created with different mediums - from pastels, acrylics, inks, watercolours, etc.

I layered different effects as well, with layers that played with hue, opacity, saturation, contrast and other effects. The colorful pieces like those in the center and to the right, below make great prints and are simple to recreate when printed digitally on silk - I choose bamboo silk. 

Whilst, the line work I created for prints lent itself nicely to inspire digitally design woven pieces, like the design to the left, below. print allowed me to explore different flowers and styles quickly. I wanted a more following collection of designs for my weaves

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This project was from before the summer I had the flower project - My 1st year of 

textiles (2nd  year at university). This was all hand processed prints - a theme was

  different and didn't cross over for each section and textiles area - knit, print and weave.

Screen and stencil printing. With an urban theme. The focus was on structure 

from the architectural photographs for the screen printing, and was expanded 

on with the stencils of people - which were each cut out by hand. These 

stencils added more simple detail, block colour and something relate-able.

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G.O: One summers floral work

Sorry I haven't been posting ..........................

Hey,


Sorry I have been updating or posting anything lately but not a lot is going on besides manning the degree show and job searches. I have picked up a little project I finished in two days but I just want to do the finishing touches before I share it on here and Facebook, and twitter, and now I have instagram too.


So, this list of links is going to get longer but I'm hoping it'll help me share my work and my designs more. I have done a massive update to my instagram to include old work - textiles and photography mostly, inspiring photos and drawing and some sweeter things to make me smile. This account will be more personal to me but nothing I'm unhappy to share. I think it will remain all my own work and photos for the majority and share only a little of what inspires me there. I think I should probably talk more about those posts on here really.


I have also done some business cards - I've opted for mini cards as they look really sweet and when they arrive I'll make sure to share some photos when they arrive, on here and anywhere else I can. I'm quite excited, maybe this will make me feel like I'm actually leaving university and studies. But I'll talk more about that later


My first job for Tuesday is to update those links for you lots and those interested, but I hope you guys are hearing from me on a more personal note soon on me leaving university - as I will try to keep the Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday update schedule.
Then a must is to find a new project! A big must!

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Sorry I haven't been posting ..........................

Blog that I love

Here's a blog that I have come to love through this project - hooked blog.

I've found great photos of work and graffiti artists of all kinds, with different styles and work in different areas. It's been a good resource to look at work around the world and is a good read.

It's given me a view of the events that go on world wide as well as artists and their work.
It talks about graffiti as though its art - describing murals and art to exhibit. A lot of work seems to be commissioned work.

Videos of work and interviews are often used to inform people of the work going on. Giving us insight to these artists work, in general and the pieces we can see them create, through the photographs from the blog.

This is something that has been a help in my work - allowing me to see the 'canvas' during and after the works creation. This has included some studio created pieces - e.g. canvases and illustrations (including screen printing) for exhibition work.

There's often a focus on London and Berlin due to the areas for graffiti - legal or otherwise and the events supporting the artists. Due to a lot of graffiti areas and events in pockets of cities a community has grown around them and more space is dedicated and made available to graffiti artists.

Giving our cities more colour and art.

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2 WEEKS

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Blog that I love

Board layout

Work space

TextilesSewingFashionStudio

These are the terms I searched for in Pinterest, for inspiration to development my ideas for my exhibition boards. Which is something I have thought about a lot for the past 2/3 months, I really want to present my work well and show it off . Which I can' t help but think of this as difficult due to the fact my work is white. But I'll share more on that later when I have some final ideas and/or samples to show off on this blog.

I've really focused on the theme of a fashion or textiles work-space and studio area. Though it's only been the last two days that I have put pen to paper to doodle the layout and ideas. Despite having looking at possible materials, supplies and equipment. I can't help it, I love shopping for nearly anything textiles/sewing related.

I've looked at starch, cork-board, chalks, tapes, tape measures, patterns, hangers and  rails. It's fun to plan, but I need to focus on creating the work and the layout that will compliment it best. Not do the shopping first which could limit what I can create for my exhibition.

I hope that I will have a finished idea soon to show you all. But for now here is some of the research for today. I've looked at a lot of patterns illustrations/photo and messy/in-use tables. This has helped create some more creative ideas that yesterdays doodles.
But these ideas may not be good in practice, e.g. using the idea of looking through a railing at a workshop, so more work will stand out against the back drop and hang on the railing nicely.

Or another example is using pattern pieces (or mock ones with patterns or pattern details) to use as a background for my work so to not use anything to bold or contrasting against my work. These ideas are interesting but focus too much on a backing and not enough on my work, so that I am not sure how to present them or what I might choose to present.

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My Pinterest Board for inspiration:

https://www.pinterest.com/lizzone/workshop/

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Board layout