Inspiration Workshop

I attended an Inspirations workshop on the 24th September with my group to help get a grasp of what I may need to do next within my drawings and have to have more ideas to work on.

My feedback consisted of: 

Trying out some more mark making and making those more abstract but also to not refine them within motifs.

Using mixed media to create rich and textured drawings.

work towards a colour scheme and perhaps narrow down my sources so that there is a correlation between drawings.

To have a look a WGSI online for upcoming trends. this will help me set a demographic for my designs.

Experiment with bleach and fabric dyes on paper.

Visit china town for more local oriental inspiration.

That afternoon I did take a trip to china town to look at the detail on the arch, (the photos I took however are on my phone which is currently being fixed, however, I shall work from them once I have it back)

I have also narrowed down my sources and am focusing on decorative Thai walls - ones seen at the Grand Palace.

On the 28th September i also attended a drawing workshop where we were asked to create 6 drawings. I chose to use: collaged, textured, scratched, overlaid, random and printed. I also took words from my sources and looked a peeling textures for my mark making.

i have also looked at using more mixed media in my drawings including using masking tapes, bleach and dyes, inks and a range of pens. Photos if these drawings shall follow in a fore coming post.

Summer: Turkey

During my summer I also visited Turkey. Equipped with my underwater camera I spent a lot of my time snorkelling. The underwater world is so interesting to me, as once again, it is something people don't take too much notice in or see every day.

Corals and underwater plants hold so much texture and could be used for textile design inspiration for embroidery, weaving, fabric manipulation and print designs. 

I could possibly explore the idea of weaving inspired by coral and then creating prints from the physical weave itself. This would give an abstract and didactic feel to the outcome.

I can only imagine that this is my reflection reflection back off of the surface of the water, but I appreciate how the water movement itself breaks up the reflection. It may be an idea to investigate pleating fabric before adding print to them (whether that be via screen print or heat transfer ect) or using Photoshop to manipulate designs to achieve this effect.

The corals and plant life surrounding the cold springs I was swimming near were shades of lilac and warm orangey browns. There was also some interesting shell or growth formations on some of the rocks which caught my eye as seen below.

I find it fascinating how water reflects light, I admire the patterns it creates from the surface and also when said light hits the base of pool/seabed. I could possibly experiment with marbling onto fabric and layering other techniques like batik over that.

Summer: Thai Islands

Whilst I travelled Thailand, I visited three islands; Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan. a lot of my activities on these islands involved water and the sea. I collected a lot of shells which you may find drawings and sketches of in my sketchbook. I also collected a lot of photos of sunsets - a habit I also took back home with me.

What I find really interesting in sunsets and sun rises is that everyday its going to be unique, the sky will never look exactly the same again and I find that fascinating. Above is a photo I took in Koh Phangan. The silhouettes of the palms against the pastel blue and peach sky is very pretty and could easily be translated into designs for textiles.

Another inspiration I found was in the sand. a lot of the beaches had washed up corals of which their textures and structure could be translated into print designs alone. they hold tiny details which could be expanded into large prints or layered on top of each other with other designs.

Paige Smith: Urban Geode

Instagram is a great mobile app where you can stumble across new, up and coming artists and designers. Whilst I was scrolling through the app I discovered this artist, Paige Smith, under the alias of @acommonname.

She creates street art installations in unusual and forgotten places on street corners and in dishevelled brick walls.

Her work mostly consists of crystal, geode like formations that appear to be growing from urban spaces.

I find it interesting due to its similarity to the idea of nature taking back what once was and that maybe man can only leave a small footprint against mother natures force.

I particularity like this image due to the composition of the organic shapes or the plant, the softer shapes of the rock wall and also the rigid angular lines of the geode.

Her choice of location for her work also intrigues me. I have had an interest in the life that is within decay for years and i appreciated this a lot whilst I was travelling. the streets would have cracked and crumbling walls still would have fresh orchids sprouting through the crevasses.

Her work is small and may also go unnoticed by those who don't necessarily look at their surroundings, which I find a lot of people don't do this any more.

Summer: Chiang Mai

From Bangkok, I then travelled north to the rural area of Chinag Mai.

Here, I met a group of elephants and learnt how to talk to them in Thai and also had the opportunity to ride, bathe and explore the jungle with these majestic creatures.

this elephant was named Papa Jo. I think he had the most interesting skin markings on his trunk. these could easily be translated into artwork for potential print designs.

After the elephant experience,  myself and the group had a hill trek scheduled so began our 4 hour trek top our hut accommodation for that next night. I chose this photo because i like how the plants and flora create silhouettes against the clear sky.

I visited Thailand during the drier season, so theses rice paddy fields were out of use, however they create such an impressive mark on the landscape. they sort of remind me of contour lines on a map.

I visited a waterfall on the climb to our accommodation and this was our last chance to shower. I really love how the foliage is layered creating shade over the cool water.

Summer: Bangkok

My summer began on the 11th of March. That day I stepped on the plane to travel Thailand, alone, for one month. First stop, Bangkok.

I visited the Grand Palace which shimmered with gold foiled, mosaic tiling. I was in complete awe at these buildings, their detailed decoration was breath taking.

Here is close up some of the more decrepit and decayed, but still beautiful detail of the buildings from the temples. Decay is something I find very inspiring to look at; the textures are very interesting to work from.

The Grand palace was very beautifully adorned with orchids hanging from the exotic tree in coconut shells. flora is a very popular textile print design subject and Thailand had many flowers that i have seen first hand and have primary photos of for future drawings.

Later that day I travelled back to Kaoh San Road and explored around there. Street art and graffiti is something i find very interesting as it lights up cities with individuality. the alley ways around Kaoh San Road and my hostel were covered in street art and stickers. I feel it gives a city personality.