http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:36:00 +0000 a-n rss generator a-n The Artists Information Company and contributors edit@a-n.co.uk technical@a-n.co.uk http://www.a-n.co.uk/img/logo.gif http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 Cell prints I had a large pile of relief prints that I couldn't part with but that I wasn't really happy with either. From them two works are emerging. Over the summer I've been busy cutting the prints up and rejoining them with stitches. I'm hoping they will eventually be a book, but as yet I am not sure how I want them to be presented. They are very fragile and it's important to me to keep this element and enhance it. But as it's going to be a book I also have to consider that it will need to be handled. The left over bits are forming something else. Again I am stitching the pieces together but this time instead of thread I am using floristry wire so that it can give strength to the structure. I am hoping this piece will also appear fragile.... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 Remnants of Human Nature I tore up my paper installation over the summer. It's quite therapeutic, but took so long to do. Most of it is stored for future projects but I made paper out of some of it and reused some cardboard printing plates to make impressions onto the paper.  I wanted to make a book as a memory of the installation, which to begin with was going to be made up of photographs of the work. But then I thought it could actually be the work. I always had in mind that I'd recycle the installation but didn't know how I was going to do it. I've also been experimenting with paper books that I've watercoloured but they haven't been as successful. I'm going to keep experimenting as I've got loads of the torn pieces left over to play with. I need to work on some other ideas and then maybe something will develop from one or a combination of some of them. I feel I can defentely make something good out of this, I'm just not sure what yet.... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 I bought some lovely japanese paper yesterday for the cell book project. I've been looking at it, but am too scared to start working on it. I'm thinking of cutting and folding the paper into a concertina book and then sewing each page onto the book. I've been working on the piece made up of left over bits. I was planning on working on it until there was no gaps, but I'm not sure that it's a nice as it was early in the making.... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 I should have waited. Last night I cut the japanese paper to size folded it and started sewing the pages of the book to the paper. It looks terrible, not what I thought it would be like at all. I'll have to re-think the whole thing. Haven't had time for it today though, I've been painting penguins all day and am exhausted.... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 I've had another go with the cell prints book project, they still need some work but they're getting there. I was having problems because the paper was creasing around the folds when I was stitching the prints to it. Also the stitching didn't work. I used running stitch and it looked to neat and planned out. I didn't want to lose all the work I'd done, each print took hours to cut out and stitch, so I unpicked the stitching and started again. I used the same kind of stitching I used inside the prints. I don't know why it didn't occur to me to use the same stitching from the begining it's obvious this would be best suited. It was so time consuming to re-stitch it using te same holes, but this looks better and I've re-cut the pages too. Instead of having a concertina book I've cut each page and I'm sewing them back together, this links the paper and the print together. I struggled to get the book to be ridged when I folded it and couldn't think of a way to get the book to stand without help, but now that it's sewn together I think it adds to the fragility this project needs. I'm not sure what shape I want for the book yet, but I don't think a concertina book is right for this book. It needs to be handled and I'm trying out a plowed field format instead.... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 Cell prints book project The book is going really slowly. I'm only managing to sew a couple of pages a day now so it doesn't feel like I'm getting anywhere. I had been sewing the pages together but I've stop now as I realsied I need to lay them out when they're ready to join together to see the best composition. The left over cells construction has come to a complete stand still as I can't think of a way to sew the last few together because there's no where to tie up the loose parts. Memories of Liverpool I've made a few books from a painting I decided to recycle of the Liverpool Waterfront. It was my favourite of my paintings but it had become quite tatty. It wasn't well painted but it holds lots of memories for me. It was painted during the year I went back to college and I still thought I wanted my practice to be based in painting. I was experimenting with painting styles and  different techniques. I made two books to sell, but one has already gone and I've made one for me. I made my book differently from the others as they have larger sections of the painting to make up the pages so that they can tell it's water, sky etc. But I didn't feel I needed that for my book as it's about the time I painted the picture rather than it's contents. Mine still needs a cover but I'm not really bothered as it's just for me.... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 The book is finished. Actually it's become two books. I wanted just one book because I wanted it be be unique and I wanted the pages to stay together (as in go to one owner). But when I looked at the composition of the book it had become something to glance at and flick through because there was just to much. As two books they're still very different as no page is the same and the covers are different. The books are nothing like I intended them to be but I'm ok with it still.... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 I've been working on the subject of climate change. 'Nesting' is about the affect climate change is having on birds in the UK. It's also about home life, security, comfort and in this case the empty nest represents an uncertain future for the birds and for ourselves also what we're not securing for future generations. The material used for this project were my old jumpers, I've used these twice before, firstly as a college assessment and then later as part of the second year show, which it became part of the 'Fabric of Life' large installation. I'm already thinking what I could make it into next. The nest is made up of outer and inner shells that were sewn together. I really liked the backs of both pieces, with the sewing showing. There's something about stiches I really like. It's something to do with the untidiness of my sewing because I'm not that good at it. It's not predictable to me, I don't know how it'll turn out. But I also like the overlapping of material. Anyway I don't know what I'm going to do with it but it's starting to brew.... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 This piece 'Flesh' isn't truely recycling but I think it can still be classed as old made into new. I used an image I worked on last year and reproduced it digitally, then cut it up and glued them back together. Originally I created a screenprint of cells based on the colours found in flesh, skin, organs and blood, but it's visually boring. Infact I find most of my prints boring until I make something ot of them, 3D or books.... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 I've made three 'flesh' pieces now. I've submitted them for an exhibition but I doubt they'll get in, but if they don't I think I'd like to have lots and lots of them to use as part of my mid- year exhibition for the fellowship. I want lots so they're overwhelming, being noticed for the mass rather than individuality to begin with. Maybe just being stacked in a corner. henhopefully people would want to take a closer look and see what they're made up of. I don't know it's ust an idea. I've got time off over Christmas so I would be able to get quite a lot done.... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 I've started working on some collages that bring together my printwork and  experiments. I think they're working well but I prefer the rust coloured pieces rather than the red. I've used red thread but I think I might replace it with transparent thread, so that it isn't apparent striaght away. I used old work that I painted, spray painted and waxed as the background for the new work. I found it really hard to cut them up, but they've just been sitting in a folder. I painted them when I was on my foundation course and was experimenting with backgrounds. At the time I wasn't happy with the self portrait but liked the background but because they were personal to me I couldn't bring myself to throw them away.... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 I've completed four pieces now.... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 I've been cutting up old prints and layering them back together. I think they work quite well. I struggle with just producing prints, I never feel content leaving as a print, they never feel finshed. I like to make them into objects, but this was equally as satisfying and I feel they are finshed now.... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 I'm working on some pieces for a show next year about cells. I've torn up my cumulus cells from my degree show (four boxes worth) and am going to form new cells for the new work. If you'd like to follow the blog on the new work it's http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/856146... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 I carefully dismantled my pods last night and boxed them up. It was time, they'd been shown too many times and had become to fragile as well. But I can't just chuck them away, I spent such a long time on them and they are one of the only pieces of work I'm happy with. So I am planning on recycling them, using them in some collage work, but I can't start it yet as I have other work to get on with. It's difficult when an idea pops into my head and I can't work on it straight away, but I learnt on the fellowship that I don't get anything finished if I do that and don't know where I'm up to with anything either so I can't afford to spend time on lots of other projects.... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 I have been sorting out my artroom (well larder really) as I chucked loads of work in there just before Christmas and can't step into the room now. I've been sidetracked though, I came across three sketchbooks of work that I filled as part of a project I did on my foundation course. I took them into the dining room and mused over them and that was it, the tidy up has been put on hold. The project was about my family tree, I set out to make an alternative family tree, recording memories alongside photographs/images, or within them.  It wasn't meant to be an accurate portrayal and I liked that something had been lost in time as well as maybe exaggerated, it kind of added to the mystery but I found I was making actual family trees, ordering where people came and trying to link up the relationships. I realised and stepped away, started painting, making stencils and collaging with copies of the photographs. I ended up making an installation which was really based on an idea I had after a vist to a friends house. My husband and I where sitting my friends Mums living room and had been looking at a wall which was a sort of montage of photographs. So strangly assorted in size, content and frames it was intriguing and right in the middle of it all was a picture of Jesus in one of those frames that you get school photos in, it was so strange and kind of amusing.  I wanted to display the work in this kind of unorganised and some what tasteless way so I ended up with a wall of living room to display the work on. Anyway my Mum loved it and wanted to keep some of the work because it was all about her family. I wanted to paint proper portraits for her but she loved them because they had something about the person in the work as well as their image. So as a compromise I said I would do something based on the work for her but I have never got around to it. So eventually I have decided I'm going to make a sort of photo album, well actually a book, that way it will be quite personal and just for her.... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 Whilst sorting out old work to bin I came across some old sketch books, as mentioned in my last posting. Two of the sketch books were from a self portrait project. I gathered together and photographed everything that reminded me of being a child through to being an adult. I was trying to build up a collection of images I could use to inspire me to make stencils that could be used as grounds for the portrait. I ended up producing several portraits, all of them were pretty terrible, although I was happy with them at the time. Anyway a I have thought of a much better idea of using all the gathered imagary. I'm going to make building blocks with them and other books I have. I've got loads of scrap books, diaries, sketch books, photo albums etc. They can make up the building blocks of my life.... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 I've spent a couple of evenings on this project so far and I think it's going well. I can't make the building blocks as big as I'd like because I am restricted by the size of the imagery that's decorating the blocks. So far I've used photocopies of old photos, actual photos, images of sweets and toys I had in a scrap book and poems I wrote when I was a child. I'm going to start using things like wallpaper, cards and letters that I have in scrap books too. Still a long way to go, I've got boxes of things I can use and what's nice is I needed to get rid of lots of it and this way I can keep it all but it won't be stuffed away in a cupboard. Well actually it probably will, haha.... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 I'm thinking of putting this project up as a proposal for the same exhibition as my 'Family Album'. I don't know if they'll except more than one piece of work per artist but I think it would fit well with the brief.... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 Not sure how to word my proposal, I've spent to much time on it already and it reads as if I've just put something together in a couple of minutes. The work is going well though, I've got  quite a few blocks done now. The only thing is I'm going to be really bored soon because I keep cutting up the most interesting imagery, soon I'll only have diaries, newspaper cuttings and wallpaper samples left! Then the project will become a drag.... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 I'm getting bored now, I need to have a rumage through some more boxes. I like to use up every little bit of material I have but it's so tedious and I don't seem to be getting anywhere. The pile of blocks doesn't seem to be growing at all.... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 I haven't got many days until the deadline if I'm going to put this project forward for consideration in the call out for artist book work with the theme of Home (the domestic, memory, family, nostalgia and space). I know the installation wouldn't be books be it's been deveoped from books and can still be read in a way. This is what I wrote for my proposal: I had boxes of old school text books, sketch books, diaries, photo albums and lots of scrap books filled with cards, letters and train tickets etc that I had stored in boxes, because I couldn't bear to throw them away even though I only looked at them when I had a clear out. Some things had great sentimental value to me but I couldn't remember why I have kept lots of stuff and yet I couldn't part with it.  My proposal is to make the books into building blocks of my life. I want to include anything that is personal to me and create very small blocks with them. I'm not sure how they could be displayed yet as I haven't made anywhere near enough, but they'd probably be stacked up against a wall until they fall and then left in whatever position that takes. I have been cutting them by hand so I can choose what I show on the faces of the blocks, this means the blocks aren't perfect in shape or size, but I think that's infitting with it being about me, my memories and what I've forgotten. It's personal not something that's manufactured. It is no longer obvious what the imagery on most of them is so I can keep something back just for me. Each block is about 2cm cubed.... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 I've sent the proposal with a couple of images, you never know it might get excepted. I'm going to continue with the project either way as I think it's going to work well once there is enough blocks. I've started adding blocks made of paintings and prints that I had in sketch books, they've really added interesting textures as well as colour to the work. I also like that there are pictures I draw and coloured in from my first maths and story book from the age of about 5. And I know I'm still working in multiples which is typical of me but it is refreshing to be working on something other than trees or blood cells.... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 I've heard back and she said that she loved the idea and image and thought it could contribute to a kids room. I hope she realises how small the blocks are. So I'll just keep plodding along with the project now. When I've filled the shoe box I'll feel a bit happier. Although I need to treble that amount really.... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 I've been working hard to get the blocks made,  but I was disheartened when I counted them and there was only 400 and something. I shouldn't have counted them, I just couldn't resist.... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 I filled in the Home from Home exhibition agreement and emailed it back, so I'm definitely in! I was asked to write a statement of under 100 words, I'm hopeless at anything like that, but this is what I wrote: My practice is in print, installation work and bookmaking. ‘Family Album’ is a collection of altered photographs of my relatives and is about the stories I’ve been told over the years. I’m not sure what is accurate and what has been elaborated on, but that doesn’t matter, it’s about what the photographs mean to me. ‘Building Blocks of Life’ has been created using my old sketch books, photo albums, diaries, text books and scrap books containing photographs, cards and other snippets that have been part of my life. Unfortunately the dates to except the work are when I'm on holiday but the curator has said that I can delivery my work when I get back, so that's a relief.  ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 Here's the link to the Artist Book Collective exhibition 'Home from Home'  http://abcarchive.blogspot.com/... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 Quick update of the 'Home from Home' exhibition. I wanted to post earlier but I've been really busy. The show looked really good, some really amazing work in it. http://theculturevulture.co.uk/blog/exhibitions/home-from-home-at-153-woodhouse-lane/ http://www.guardian.co.uk/leeds/2011/mar/16/blogpost  ... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 I've been working on a little piece in the evenings, just to unwind. It won't be for sale, it's just for me, well for my house to cover a wall above the stairs. I've recycled the nest I made some time ago to make it. It has been sitting in my art room gathering dust and objects for so long, it's great to get the space back. Each piece is seperate at the moment, but I'm hoping to overlap them when I've finished sewing them all to create some movement.... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717 I'm working on an idea which may or may not work for a show in Novemeber, I am in the process of recycling my 'pods' to make something new. They had sentimental value to me but where beyond repair. Unable to save them or chuck them away, I dismantled them and have been storing them in my bedroom for the future (as you do!) I'm hoping to create something I enjoy as much as the 'pods' but things aren't going to well so far. If you want to follow the blog about my progress here's the link:  http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/1196518... Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/569717