Odd Collages 2

Continuing my experiments with collage, I've created a series using photographs from my childhood that explore memory distortion (my fine art project). Some of them are particularly odd, though I feel the majority of them work and convey my idea well. I paired one photograph I cut up with others - all of this should be apparent, if not, whoops.

These ones are from my "forest collection" which are less scary than the ones I made from my photos of Disneyland. The one below is my most favourite, whether it works well as part of my art project I'm unsure.

Odd Collages

If you have seen my previous posts then you may be aware that I have been experimenting with collage involving my own photographs and images from magazines. I've also been toying with composition, textures, line and materials as a way to incorporate something different to them.

Though simple, I thought that this collage using two of my own photographs (from inside my bedroom window and my front door, both taken accidentally and a very long time ago) was effective in man different ways. I liked the colour combination the photos created together for one element, but I particularly liked the way I positioned the image of the door over the windows and in the centre. The torn effect almost looks like the door is being revealed through the image of the windows, yet this cannot be possible as in the photograph, there is nothing directly outside the window. I like how this plays with the dimensions in images and asks the mind to consider ways that this can or cannot be possible.

This was a spontaneous collage I created to experiment with a lack of colour and what would happen if I added a section of bold colour, in this case, the holographic gold card. I then tried to reflect the angles created in the images I had taken from magazines by outlining them spontaneously in graphite crayon and black marker pen.

Experimenting with Collage

As part of my Skills, Process and Technologies workshops I've been experimenting with collage involving images of my own and general ones from magazines that take my fancy. These three practises were taken from a collage I created of images from Elle magazine - the background in the original is plain white, but silly me has forgotten to take photographs of it.

I made many photo copies of my original collage in both colour and black and white and experimented with extra layers, textures, colours and changes to the background. In the first image I cut the entire collage away from paper and applied it to holographic green card. The lighting on the card changes when you view the collage from different angles, making it look as if it has been places on a moving screen. In the second image above, I experimented mainly with drawing and overlay of other collages. This one with in black and white.

In this third image, I cut out simple shapes from a magazine displaying pastel colours and then placed them over shapes previously created in the colour to manipulate its colour. I then highlighted these areas with gold pen.

Ink Studies

I haven't worked in quink ink in so long and I don't believe I realised how much I'd missed it. It's so much more fun to work in as it gives off quite a spontaneous and uncontrollable effect, which I happen to like. These pieces will be used for my fine art project.

Composition Practise

I've been studying my own dreams as part of my fine art project and have been trying to record them visually, which isn't particularly easy. As my dreams are not always vivid, I've been practising drawing them in a way that reflects how vague aspects of them appear to me, whilst other elements are clear and recognisable.

Sketches done in free hand watercolour. Experiments with layering, something I think may be interesting to use in later work.

Life Drawing

Since the start of my foundation degree I have been practising my life drawing skills in workshops and have built up a body of large studies in pencil, ink and oil pastel. I thought it was time to share some of my favourite pieces. 

 

I feel that my most successful studies are the ones I experimented in media with and with composition. Just click the images to see a larger view.

Print Making

I'm not the biggest fan of print making (probably because I have a tendency to injure myself with lino cutters) but I'm quite pleased with how my most recent prints have turned out. They're not anything spectacular - just something simple to experiment with - but I though it would be nice to show you anyway.

The print is based on a photo of chestnuts (to fit with my project theme of nature).

 

Two colours, two layers (left) two colours, one layer (right).

Blend of blue and purple, one layer.

More Paper Art

After pondering about what I could potentially create using paper, pins and foam board I finally came up with an idea that also related to my project theme of gardening. I got hold of some decorative scrap book paper, cut flower shapes out of it using a stamp (not very imaginative, but I was under a time limit) and assembled it together using the pins. I also created an extra level using another layer of foam board and dusted the finished piece with a little silver glitter and voila, my own paper flower patch!

Below are some more photos taken at closer views so you can get an idea of what the final piece looks like up close. I think I'd like to do more work in this style as I feel it was successful. What do you think?

Paper Art

I'm not one for escaping my comfort zone regarding the materials I work with, but I'm actually quite interested in my most recent task involving paper art. Inspired by the work of paper artist Rebecca J Coles, I'm currently working on creating a sort of sculpture or three dimensional image using paper shapes, dressmaking pins and foam board. The final piece will be themed to match the work of my project and will hopefully look a little better than my practice below.

Have a look at this website clickedy click click (her work is fantastic).

New Beginnings

It's been a while since I've been active on blogger hence why I'm not entirely sure how to use it or make my blog mildly presentable, but I am back! I've been on tumblr for a few years but I've never used it for anything more than re blogging photos of models and other people's artwork that I so envy. However I plan on using this blog to post my own work and hopefully gain some feedback from anyone that stumbles across it. Most of my work I've already uploaded to my Facebook (and none of it is terribly interesting) but this is just an example of free hand painting which I've practising at college on Friday afternoons. As you can see, I need to do a lot more practising.