Drawing Task 1m x 1m

Given the task to create a '1m x 1m' drawing minimum over 3 days, i was a bit stuck on what actually to draw, so i decided to take 'Carol Ann Duffy' and interpret a set up based on the 'sense of her person' that i have got from her over the course of the project. Choosing a lamp, books, tea caddy, mugs, wine and a cluster of everyday items i analytically drew the set up.

In a later drawing workshop we were given the task of choosing from adjectives such as 'to weave', 'to knit', 'to puncture', 'to fold' etc. I chose 'of layers' and layered different weights of paper to build up my drawing, adding more depth. The messier it got the more exciting and lively it became. To push it further after i had completled drawing on top of the layers, i then deconstructed them and stretched the overlayed image i had produced. creating a blurred and unrecogniseable image.

Developing my Explorations

After completing many samples with my collected items, i felt like i needed some order, rather than just a mound of similar samples exploring the same concept. On a page in my sketchbook i have visually layed out sampling, drawing, image and raw collected items, and the accumulation on the page of everything together looks really good and finalised. An expression of existance. It visually works very well together.

I had appreciated from the collection of other peoples items, and the general stalker attitude. Makes you in tune with another person, i began to understand someone elses smell and sense of the entire person.  I had never really appreciated this before and so in order to take it further i went and sat in neros to generally 'people watch' and interpret other peoples behaviours and attitudes. Drawings in my sketchbook have reflected this time.

Sampling

I have really enjoyed exploring my concept through working with the collected materials. I have used a combination of destruction and reconstruction to tease apart the references to 'evidence of existance'. using the embellisher and different feet on the machine I have combined surfaces such as brown paper, hair cuttings, threads. teabags, leaves, plastic bags, ciggarettes. In particular i like this sample (see below), the way the hair is clustered within the zigzag stitch, almost peeking through cheekily. The ripped edges of the broken area softens the sample. The line of the stitch regulates it adding definition.

I also experimented with the chording foot, wrapping thread, textures and hair cuttings to create a potential differnect way of working.

interpreting collective items.

The idea of accumulating items is great in itself, but progressing with it takes it to a different level.

Im currently in the 'machine embroidery' workshop, this is so perfect for me. I have done a lot of machine embroidery in the past and have luckily had the ability to use certain machines alot before, which has put me at a certain advantage with sampling. working with the collected materials inspired from Carol Ann Duffy, ive begun sewing into them, used teabags leaving amazing stain--- sewing the shapes of the clustered teabag ontop of the stain.. I have used new techniques that i have learnt on the bernina, for example the circular sewer has been particularly useful, i have appliqued a circle of Carol Ann's work (taken directly from her 'rapture' poetry book) on top of paper and fabric, its created a really lovely sample, the edge of the paper is sharp from the satin stitch, and its interesting how the surface of the fabric goes matt to fluffy across the sample. I am really enjoying experimenting with my 'stuff' collected and going furthere with it within my workshops.

Progression: Artist Influences -- Candy Jernigan

Continuining with the idea of 'stalkerish' qualitites surrounding Carol Ann Duffy, i began looking into inspirational artists, Candy Jernigan in particular jumped out at me, she obcessively collects. Memorablilia, and everyday life experiences that take the bulk of her work. She does this to manifest the idea of 'proof of life, EVIDENCE OF HER EXISISTANCE'. The way i have been working, inspired by Jernigan, is almost proving the life of Carol Ann, collecting ciggarette butts, hair samples, photos of her house. I'm frantically collecting anything that remotely shows Carol ann's existance.
In particular the way jernigan presents her work is interesting. Obviously she selects meticulously the different items she figures important or special, likewise i have tried to adopt this way of working, what makes it into my sketchbook, or what is used for a sample is generally the items that link well for some reason, for example colour palette or scale.

Jernigan's sketchbooks are so well considered, placement and layout are a key factor for her. Similar to me, i enjoy a visually satisfying sketchbook. I find it inspiring and methodical, if my sketchbook is out of place or not up to date, i find my head is often all over the place, almost like blurred vision of my project.