G . O : Project

Getting On :

Project : Box Recycling

I have had an idea to do hampers for people before the lock down, and recycling some boxes I have for a nice presentation. Since lock down - I want and would need to be able to send them through the post. So I figured decorate some boxes - using up my old paints to make some more space, and treat a few more people to something nice. I've actually moved on from my first two boxes, started making some gifts for people and came back to do another one in a completely different style. I won't say who they are for, or what inspired me in case any friends follow any links to this blog. No matter how unlikely.

I went for having fun and using mostly what paints I have mixed up and in my collection (I haven't topped up my paints in a long time). I used acrylic paints and posca pens. I will also add these took several coats of white and are semi delicate - they will peel if I'm not careful. Also to post these to my recipients I will also wrap these, making them a very colourful surprise. Each box was made with a person in mind, so I hope it'll be a good surprise.

I was a lot more playful with the first two, and left them a little messy on purpose. The second box I have photographed half finished as the next details will reveal who its for. I could have left the box as it was - I was happy with how it came out, even with the antlers looking a little chunky in places.

I had a lot of fun recycling these boxes and filling my time, the idea of someone receiving the box is a lot of fun as well. While it took a good part of 3 days work, I will state I do not expect anyone to keep these boxes. Acrylic paint can peel and stick to other items, especially when not sealed.

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G . O : Project

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

C.W : Project Converse

Well some of my old shoes are getting a make over for a Changing Wardrobes post. I'm quite excited. I decided on a different theme on each shoe but working the colours and on shoes continuously hopping between them. I want the designs to flow on each shoe, they don't need  to match or work amazing together this is just more practice for me. But if they look a littler coherent, it would be nice. 

First they need the laces removing, to be cleaned and wiped down. The soles have holes, so I don't wear them as often anymore. So if this little project turns bad I'm gonna be fine with it. As for the these I have gone with I'll keep them a surprise for now.  I am going to start on the tongue of the shoe - best space for practice to me, and it seems like a nice place to start while I have ideas in my head. then the outside of the shoe, before curving round the back and onto the inside.

I'd like to design the whole shoe at a time. But despite me doodling ideas and maybe showing off some possible ideas. I'm going to plan only a few designs ahead. This should keep the design flowing and only space as its left rather than squishing all the designs into one area. Which I think would ruin the whole idea.

As for materials, you maybe have guessed it - I'm embroidering it again, not painting or drawing on these shoes. For a few reasons; 1. They are black, so harder to draw or paint on, but not impossible, 2. I need the practice, 3. It's a bit of fun, and its something I'd prefer. I painted and made up a pair in university to show off me as a person. I used paint, pens, glue and applique, all sorts. I want to see how I've developed my skills and learn something here.

So I know this isn't the most exciting piece at the moment but I'm looking forward to sharing doodles, designs and updates as I get on, with you all. And the final pieces.

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C.W : Project Converse

A Wide Range

From my first year to my fourth year at university I drew a lot - from studies of work and real life objects or scenery. I drew from my mind and imagination, building on older work to develop ideas and styles. I painted, I used pencil, pen or crayon and pastels. 

I looked at a lot of materials, themes and explored as much as I could. Style, materials and texture were often important in my studies.

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A Wide Range

Sketchbook pages ~ Current work

 My White Sketchbook's first page - as I have two, one full of colour based work and a second book, I am currently using  based on white work.

This page is quickly followed with similar work in watered down black mediums, though applied with more care and design. The layers in the work are to build texture and design - from a white page, building on the layers for contrast.

Work like this was to let me look at contrast and layering in my sketchbook specifically. 

 Close to the beginning of the sketchbook I also have some examples of lace that I tried - this I believe is stitch lace.

This is where designs are stitched onto a prepared closely woven fabric, some of which have cut out sections -  which I have also tried.

I enjoyed doing this because of my past experiences and interests in embroidery and sewing. This practice led me to continually look into other types of lace.





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 These textured drawings of paint, glue, inks etc. were experiments in how to apply texture to my drawings. These drawings were inspired by my previous work for my spray paints - where I used a lot of geometric designs to accompany other parts of the designs. This work then began to feel like it had a 'Aztec' design aspect to some areas, something I've quite liked, but not developed into weaves - hand or machine woven. However, I did develop this into designs for laser cutting experiments.

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These images show my market research - above and my own illustrations - below. There are a lot of different imagery that I need to think about, ranging from: clothing styles, to styling choices and also illustration styles. I have also got to decide on use of colour - to illustrate my designs I can remain true to design and visual features or expressive to appear pleasing to my market and be interesting in aspects other than the design. I choose to pick illustrating in a style that was truer to form - allowing me to design and illustrate my collection, much more clearly. This has allowed me to develop my work, my design choices and my illustrations.

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 Below is more textured drawings and experiments, made at a time closer to some of my illustration work, These experiments look closer at mark making and textures. I wanted to do this because of my illustrations to look at and my options with design - especially with a lot ideas surrounding possible jacquard, which would most likely have a contrast colour in the design, unlike my hand woven samples.

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Sketchbook pages ~ Current work