Primary Images

I wanted to have a solid collection of photography to be the foundation for my project. I feel it is important to primary images which you can constantly relate back to. I took some of these while in London for the SDC International textiles competition. I felt it was a great opportunity whilst being in a city full of interesting architecture, to take some on-the-go photo's to help support my drawings. I didn't take as many as I had wanted due to the day being very busy and having spent most of the day indoors for the competition. I tried to capture the buildings from interesting perspectives, really enhancing the bold, dramatic structures presented within the buildings. As I have said before I wanted my work to be very thoughtful but at the same time very playful and fun. The placement of my photographs is considered within my drawing, which is why I wanted the sky to be kept within my photos. The use of the sky being in the photos give the feeling of surrealism, and attention isn't distracted from the focus of the buildings. 

Windows, glass and colour were aspects of the buildings I wanted to appreciate and make example of in my drawings. I noticed how the windows themselves were incredibly interesting, seeing the colours, shapes and patterns created within them. The reflections of the other architecture in the glass is presented well, (I hope) in the photographs below. I found the reflections so fascinating, how they gave the building a completely different appearance depending on the perspective and angle you were looking at.

In my sketchbook I have been cutting into these photos, rearranging, rethinking and really just playing with the placement of the photos with my own drawing. Using colour, mark making and collage to draw in a new, unique and contemporary way.

Laura Slater

http://www.lauraslater.co.uk

I can really relate to the abstract markings Slater creates on her products. I feel her drawings have a childs-play approach,  something I hope my own work captures. The placement of the markings works really well. Placement is very important in my own work, thinking about the arrangement of photography, collage and drawing.  

The layering of the shapes and textures works really effectively. I like the mix of solid shapes, textured shapes and also the transparency of some of the shapes. Layering is a great way of involving more content into the design without making it look all 1 dimension and too crowded. 

I really like how although each cushion is fairly bold, they work together perfectly and compliment one another. 

"Our specific interests lie in engagement with pattern and it’s ability to connect us to the environments around us. This is explored through approaches to drawing, process, materials and product".

Noël Skrzypczak

Synthetic polymer paint on canvas 

Lauren Clay

http://www.laurenclay.com/ 

I came across this abstract sculpture artists when researching into mark making techniques. The shapes and textures created by Clay's work is so fascinating and unique. I haven't seen anything like Clay's work before and was instantly taken by the bold, exciting colours used within her work.  In an interview I read (:http://hifructose.com/2011/10/23/an-interview-with-lauren-clay) Clay always begins her pieces by producing large scale paintings of what she intends to create. I can gather that Clay's imagination is just blooming with new, innovative ideas. Her work in my opinion, leads itself to childs-play shapes and colours, appears very playful and fun. Clay spoke about her work being Modernist and very contemporary. 

"Every sculpture I make goes through several stages of painting, sanding and repainting". 

"Clay's sculptures seem to grow out of gallery walls like intergalactic plant life or rock formations — their repeating parts coalesce into fluid organic shapes, inviting the viewer to imagine what the Earth might have been like if nature evolved from a neon colour palette". 

Matthew Harris

http://www.matthewharriscloth.co.uk/

Christine Mauersberger

Installation piece using plastic and stitch.