2.1.1 Inspirations Workshop

Summer Drawings

I found the peer review I received in response to my summer work the be highly formative, key themes and direction was highlighted in my work and many possible areas of exploration. I was told there was a good variety of techniques within my drawings, but areas to develop and venture into could be; experimenting with different grounds, combining techniques, and producing some drawings on illustrator or photoshop with focus on line. Also exploring different scales when I draw was recommended, zooming into past drawings really changed the feel of the piece and displayed new textures, colours balances, and gradients, all aspects that could be redeveloped into my work.

Form in Nature and Life, A. Feininger

The most important feedback I received, I feel, was direction on my overall concept. Even though I had centred on Stacking for my summer work I did not feel confident enough to continue with it, my peers upon assessing my work felt that my nature inspired drawings were the most successful, containing the most colour, pattern, and texture. Guided by this new subject I went to the library to discover more about the possibilities and found 'Form in Nature and Life' by A, Feininger, a book filled with nearly all the artistic elements from nature. This book alongside my new Pinterest boards has inspired a new line of enquiry for my oncoming project.  

http://www.pinterest.com/brontemorgangeo/natural-texture/

http://www.pinterest.com/brontemorgangeo/aerial-nature/

2.0.2 Influences

Margo Selby

Margo Selby's designs and products appeal to me in every way; the colour, pattern, and texture are all unique and versatile at the same time. Her products are vast ranging from wallpapers to rugs and shoes to bedspreads, this immense list of creations is so inspiring. Trying to specify what I would like to specialize in is awfully difficult, skill-wise I am choosing weave. Selby has opened up the floodgates to where weave could take me; rugs, upholstery, clothing the list feels endless. Selby's designs are made on both 24-shaft and Jaquard looms and with the help of her extensive training in woven textiles, as an admirer of her work I thirst for the same skills and the ability to create contemporary initiative designs. Once I graduate I would love to take a similar adventure, experimenting with many different options for my weave designs, alongside selling to or designing for major retailers. Margo Selby has created her own brand but also sells and designs for retailers such as John Lewis, Achica, and Habitat and is considered not only a weaver but an entrepreneur and business woman.  

www.margoselby.com

Maggie Levien

Although I am not a huge fan of Levien's designs or use of colour, I do admire the way in which she became a designer and the steps she took. Nearly straight after graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University she worked for Osborne & Little, working for a well developed firm is what I would like to do once I leave uni. By doing this I believe it would give me the chance to develop my skills within the work environment and it would allow me to learn about the ins and outs of industry. Levien has also worked for prestigious companies such as John Lewis and Sanderson, after setting up her own brand, I long to work for brands such as John Lewis and develop a distinctive and desirable collections like Maggie Levien has.

Lucienne Day

Lucienne Day for me is truly inspirational be it her designs, social influence, or work ethic. Although she is widely known and very popular there is no better example, for me, of a designer. She was hugely influential; an original designer, in a time when many women didn’t work, she made modern designs for mass markets, and experimented endlessly. Specializing in print Day used aspects from weave throughout her work, and some of her designs were later made into woven fabric, it is this close relation with woven and printed textiles that interests me. Although I am specializing in weave I would like to continue to make printed designs along side my collections and Day's work expresses one possible route for this practice.

2.0.1 Cultural Activity

Manchester Gallery

During my Brake from university I have visited a number of museums and galleries, to give me both a varied understanding, and the ability to experience contemporary and classic practitioners. I have visited; The Museum of and Science and Industry, Manchester, Museum d'Histoire Naturelle, Le Havre, and The Guggenheim Museum, Blibao. But have found the most inspiration closer to home in the Manchester Gallery, I was really inspired by the different ways artist had grouped materials and objects together and the massive difference there choices made. I have chosen these images (above) as I was particularity attracted to the care and detail taken with each component combined with precise mathematics, it has made me think about the ways in which materials can be selected and interoperated into my work, whether it be using typical or modified components.

Lisbon

While on holiday I visited many different countries but Lisbon stands far above the rest. Finding a few key images form Lisbon is impossible, being one of the oldest cities in the world and the largest in Portugal with important roles in finance, entertainment, art, and trade there is food for the eye everywhere! There are no buildings or streets the same, each building be it new, old, or falling down is beautiful in its own right. While walking round the city I felt that each building was complemented by the neighbouring structure, space, or even the decorative footpath. Art flows through the capital, with street art redefining the wasted skeleton buildings and tiles that lighted up even the most sinister alleyway, colour and pattern are rife in this land. Lisbon for me was an entirety of inspiration. Revelation, enthusiasm, and incentive was received at every corner. Seeing how one could never find the 'best part' of this city artistically, shows me how important each and every piece that is inserted into any kind of artwork is. This enlightenment on the combination and use of materials is something I am keen to monitor while I design and make in the future.

Guernsey

Amidst my travels I visited St. Peter Port the capital of Guernsey part of the channel Islands. Although the architecture was delightful it is not what I wish to highlight Guernsey, although not part of the united kingdom, it is a possession of the British Crown and thus shares a lot of similarities with England such as it telephone boxes, post boxes, and currency, but with a slight twist. I was rather fascinated and excited by the different colours Guernsey used and also how its currency looked different (but was that same) to England’s. It is this 'twist' on comment objects that has captured my imagination, it has made me think of all the 'ordinary' ways pieces in art, interiors, weaving ect. are selected, and how they could be changed. Even the slightest change, such as colour, makes a huge difference. What if the texture, finish or pattern was slightly altered, I am mesmerized by this way of thinking and am eager to interoperate this experimentation into my work.