Guest Lecture - Raphael Daden 27th November 2013

Works in the public realm making sculptures.   His college work was incredible - I felt it could've been at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.   he was inspired by Van Branskuzy, Jacob Epstein, Anish Kapoor. 

When he left college he started working with light and moved to Nottingham.  He said he used what he learnt at college i.e. resin and used the medium of light.  3 years after leaving college he got into public art with his first piece known as the Cones on Brighton's West Street.   He applied for a commission of £20,000 after seeing the request in Artists Newsletter.   Public art had started to take off at round the same time as he created the cones.  
http://www.raphaeldaden.co.uk/

One hospital project that he worked on was large walls of coloured light - just one colour per wall in the waiting areas.  

http://www.raphaeldaden.co.uk/commissions

Raphael said that he works with other skilled professionals i.e. steel workers or electricians to produce to his work. 

He started working on neons and designed them and then had them produced by a neon company.   Perspex laser cutting was also one of his projects and this is currently showing at Shire Hall, Stafford. He has also created work for festivals including Latitude where he created gigantic cubes of dots through which words can be seen. .


Raphael has done work for a broad range of clients not just public art.  He has creaed work for a solicitors in Nottingham, an office building in London, and an underpass in London (shown below) which when you walk through the lighting changes colour.  

Raphael talked us through the process of a public art commission which was the Belfast Hospital project.  A light artist was sought and he obtained the brief, gathered information and send off his application and a shortlist was made.  He had to go for interview and present his ideas.   He had to work with architects and engineers relating the weight and structure of his installation, a lighting company, have regular meetings.  As installation was nearing, he sent the resin casts to Belfast on crates that he said he had skimped a little to try to save money on, and it was to backfire because the structures had warped slightly during transportation so they had to be sent back to him, and fortunately, he could reheat the structures and they went back to their original mould.   The lesson he said was not to cut costs or corners.  

Below is the finished structure in the hospital, and the resin mould


 The above photograph was taken during the process of creating the casts for the installation.  The process is set out below.   The reason I am interested in the process is because this piece reminded me instantly of my beach and mud flats photographs so I thought I might be able to use this as inspiration.
Sea Pattern’ was created by taking plaster casts of different patterns from the seabed of the surrounding coastline of Northern Ireland.   Casts were taken back to my studio and silicon moulds made and re-cast in translucent clear resin. These were then constructed into a steel light box and LED lighting added to illuminate the clear casts. (http://www.raphaeldaden.co.uk/commissions/sea-pattern-process)

Another interesting lecture and an insight into the life of a practicing artist.  

Guest Lecture - Nadim Chaudry 20th November 2013

Nadim was quietly spoken and I think dry is the word.   He started off the talk by passing around various boxes

He told us he was unusual in his Muslim upbringing because he liked cloth and he was gay.   He talked about his influences of the Asian bride, Alhambra, West Minster Abbey, Great Mosque of Isfahan, Iran, Jonas Berger, Zweiter Tag Nights, Germaine Richier (le Diablo), Joanna Vasconcelos - Pantelmina. 

His openness about his sexuality is clear from his work right from Queers Dowry - the dowry being about excess and ritual; 

  

 

Preparatory work

 Another of his pieces of work is Five Pillars, which is hessian that has been hand and machine embroidered. 

http://kashifnadimchaudry.com/portfolio/five-pillars/

 

Nadim emphasised the importance of drawing.  One of this pieces is "cloth" which is 9 metres of calico with a pencil drawing on it with the veil being part of hiding the identity of the person in the drawing - the veil representing integrity and modesty

The boxes he passed around contained such things as chicken heads which had a rather strong odour to them.   This piece was called Hen Pecked

When Nadim left Goldsmiths he was creating hand embroidered bags supported by the Princes Trust.  He got a studio for £60 per month and he said he took apart everything he had learnt on his course.   I can understand that.   I am learning so much in a short space of time that I feel it would be beneficial to actually take a couple of years to put into practice what I've been learning.  

Nadim said that open exhibitions are a good way to get your work seen.   his work is large scale, sculptural with textiles.   It was stunningly visual and I love to hear people who create work with a personal element that is, to some, a little controversial.  Gay men in the Muslim community are not people I suspect who shout it from the rooftops and their religion is I believe is strict on this issue.  But that said, I suspect no religions promote same sex relationships but the Muslim faith has had headlines about it's severity in punishing people who criticise it i.e. Salman Rushdie.  

Very interesting lecture, I would love to see his work in an exhibition. 

International women's day brief 20th November 2013

Vanessa from IWD Derbyshire came to talk to us about the brief and women's day on Saturday 8th March 2014.   She was very enthusiastic and gave some facts and figures about women and men and what IWD is all about and it's aims.   It is a celebration, a festival.  My first thoughts were it's a feminist bunch but I listened further and thought that if women like Vanessa weren't highlighting some of the facts she raised then nothing will change.   Some of the statistics she gave included:

• 1 in 4 women is a victim of domestic violence
• 1 in 6 men were victims of domestic violence
• 50% of law graduates were women but only 15% of high court judges are women
• 8% of women make up engineers
• in China it about 30-40%
• half of 3-6 year olds are worried about being fat (not sure how they got these stats)
• by age 9 they had been on a diet
• 11-17 year olds had one wish - to be thinner (which I have to say is wrong and worrying)

Opportunities available

• poster and flyers - graphic designers I think
• magazine  giving information about the event including a layout map, timetable, interviews

The theme is generations and colours are purple green and white which goes back to the suffragettes who wanted women to have the right to vote.  

I asked what opportunities there are for arts and crafts and Vanessa said on the day there would be a mini series of events leading up to the event

What I will get out of this is experience of working with other artists, working at a large international event, providing services for the event and a reference from IWD which Vanessa said is very important to them that they do.  They list exactly what we get involved in.  

I talked to Lance on 27th November about how I could get involved in this and he suggested maybe the interviewing (journalism) which is of interest to me.  The interviews are taking place in early January. 

Reflection
Again, I did initially criticise and think well there's nothing really for textiles but there is.   There's the workshops and now having spoken to Lance, the journalism which although not textiles to start with, I could present an interview in a textile format.  

To do
Research IWD
Think about how I could present the interviews

Module Taking Stock

This module is where we take stock and reflect on my

1. time here
2. my future needs
3. planning an event. 

The planning of an event is a group activity which is an event where we present a workshop to 250 level 3 students.   The group presenting the workshop is not just my group, it's the second year photographers.  The event is to show our skills to a wider audience including planning, teamwork, leadership, presentation and organisation.  The workshop is for 3 hours and the tasks should be small and engage learners.

I panicked when learning of this task as I feel I do not work best in a group.  I am so used to running my own agenda that I feel very out of my comfort zone, out of control and frustrated when in group work.  I have been to interviews for jobs with B&Q and Argos and I know I failed miserably in the group tasks hence not getting the jobs!   I didn't understand the tasks set out and similarly, with the very first group task this term, I was uncomfortable.   I know that I need to be able to work in a group though so I have pushed through my feelings of discomfort with the odd bit of huffing and puffing and disinterest.   I am used to organising my own work, so I obviously understand what i'm doing.

We were advised we had to keep one task that had been done last year which was Chubby Bunny and Eskimo Challenge.  

Immediately after being given this task, the 2 groups got together in our room.   Not all of the other group were present.  

It became clear early on that I wasn't the only one out of my comfort zone.   Others in the group were fearful of presenting, some in the other group didn't even turn up their own class, let alone the meeting we have had.   Now, it would be easy to say this is dreadful, they should.......... blah blah but again through experience, I know so well how easy it is to avoid doing something rather than pushing through the fear.  

During the first meeting, there was discussion about who wanted to take a lead role in organising and it was decided that one person from each area i.e. fine art, graphics, textiles and photography would be a good idea, so Jasmine, Lauren and Dan volunteered from our group and the photography group volunteered Graham who wasn't actually at the meeting.   Again, I purposely did not volunteer to lead as I have experience doing this and was conscious of the younger (and less experienced at doing this) people having a go. 

Jasmine created forms for the process including a timetable template, and a general form which were useful, she also photocopied them for everyone.   We came up with initial ideas for tasks and I was frustrated with this process because I was being overly responsible and controlling (in my head) in thinking are we showing the skills that are required including:

1. communication
2. planning
3. team work
4. leadership
5. presentation
6. organisation

We made a list of what items we are going to need to source both internally in the college and to purchase ourselves and things included:

1. bin bags
2. bread
3. Christmas hats
4. paper/card/pens
5. sweets
6. prizes

Jasmine was getting frustrated because it wasn't a matter of  one meeting and the timetable is organised!  I feel she was maybe thinking she had to organise it all because she was a team leader and both myself and Becky tried to reassure her that she was not responsible for it all, that these things take time to plan.  

 During the meeting on 27th November, I was again reluctant to come into college because I really am not comfortable in this task but I came in and I'm glad I did because I was able to sit there, take part and see that it's really going to be ok.   There's a group of us, supporting each other, I'm not in charge and that' s ok, I'm not responsible for the whole thing, but I am playing my part.    During this meeting the final timetable was put together, the finalising of the tasks was complete and the allocation of tasks was also done.   I have to admit to displaying childlike behaviour as the meeting started especially when we advised Rich the photography tutor that only 8 people from a group of 22 would be taking part.   He said the module was compulsory for everyone and that people should try to get time off work.  In the next breath though he said that if people really couldn't get time off, then maybe they could do a little exhibition next year !   I was livid as to me that was like giving people permission to opt out.  I did voice this to my fellow students in my group and I did infact discuss with Lance which was the adult thing to do (not to just moan).   The bottom line is as I've said, I'm taking part and I feel ok about it.  

During this meeting, I volunteered to do the powerpoint presentation document if no-one else wanted to do it.  

Timetable - template by Jasmine, written up and copied by Becky

The people who have attended the meetings have gotten involved, have volunteered themselves to do work, even if they are not going to be there on the day.   So It's all coming together.  

We are due to meet next week for an update and we will have a run through on the morning of the actual workshop !  It's so nice not to feel responsible for the whole thing I can't stop smiling !  

Reflection on my time here







My future needs

Live Briefs 13 November

I arrived late today as quite honestly I didn't want to come in.   I am not enjoying the advertising projects so my answer is to run and hide !   which is really not the answer.   So I arrived at 9.30 having missed some of Chris Beech's talk tot he students on live briefs which included:

1. Budgens - clothing company with a branch in Burton who want to make theirbrand as good as Burberry.  I have to be honest and say that the shop frontage does the shop no favours.  There's a huge canopy overhanging the shop and I don't think many people give the shop a second glance.   I felt that the brief here was for graphical designers and I had nothing to really contribute
2. The Maker Company who make bedroom storage - again I wasn't particularly excited by this brief and felt it was more design orientated

Reflection
Could I have got involved in these briefs?  I feel now I could have looked a bit more at them but clearly I didn't and I can't even honestly remember exactly what the requirements were but I do just remember thinking, these aren't anything to do with textiles.   I think I need to approach these live briefs more in a way of thinking that "what could I do textiles wise with this, if anything"

28h November 2013

Had a tutorial with Lance yesterday and also one today with Emma, both of which were reassuring.   Been feeling like I have not really achieved anything but both reassured me I have.   Are my expectations still too high?  I thought I had gotten past this a few weeks ago when I realised I have been beating myself with a big stick and I did start to reduce the beatings !   I have had a relapse with food and it only became apparent this week to me that I was going down a slippery slope.  But I'm aware of it and trying to do something about it.  

I got a score of 54% for my essays which I was disappointed with.   We did get to use Pro-monitor to check our results and feedback which was useful.  During my talk with Lance I went through my feedback that I had printed out and I need to look at how I put the essay together i.e. structure.  I need to adopt a more formal way of writing and not use "I" or do any reflection in an essay as this is for journals (such as this).  Also, I could have utilised in house knowledge on the 62 Group which didn't even cross my mind.   My format was also jumbled at times. 

As regards the proposal I need to produce a plan for the project and according to Becky there is a template on Moodle so I can plan out week by week how I am going to achieve the end result. 

I was reassured by Lance that I am making progress and that if I wasn't, he would definitely advise me of this.  

Today, I went through with Emma my progress with the blocks during the last 2 weeks (as she was already up to speed prior to that).   Infact, prior to the review I went through the last notes that Emma wrote down during our last tutorial and it is clear I have progressed with the arts market project.   In that first tutorial shown below, I have

1. developed my imagery by installing Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator
2. sourced different photographs and took new ones i.e. the cars
3. briefly looked at die cutting but I feel it's too late in the day to start something new - I wont be able to get my head around it and partly feel I would be trying to do too many things
4. sourced paint from B&Q which was a chalky emulsion,
5. purchased calico and heat transfer paper, 
6. sourced a very large log and tried a photograph transfer on it but the log was too wet and infact the log is still in my hall drying out !
7. investigated layout/frames specifically box frames

Emma made suggestions including:

1. maybe using thinner wood drilling a hole through the wood to use threads.  So I went down to 3d and using a 3mm drill bit, drilled several holes through 2 more blocks which I had done photographs on but that I don't feel are good enough to sell so they are useful.   
2. painting the blocks before transferring the photograph - I'm not sure if this will work so I am doing a testing this evening.  I'm not sure what will happen when the emulsion and medium gel mix so I'll find out tomorrow.  Then use a contrasting colour to make more of a feature of the paint
3. look at what packaging I'm using
4. look at pricing - I had a price in mind of £8 for 3 small blocks and maybe £8-£10 for the larger ones - depending how much detail I add
5. for my heat transferred prints, mount them and put them in cellophane bags so buyers can frame them

For next Thursday I need to:

1. visit the wood yard and get all my timber cut - I did see John and he was going to cut the smaller blocks for me for yesterday but I went in after lunch and he leaves at lunch and I couldn't see the blocks nor could Andy find them so I can't wait until Monday so I will go to the wood yard.  During my visit to John on Monday he suggested trying MDF which I did but I really don't like the finished result.  There's no character to it, there's no texture either so I am going to stick with timber.
2. purchase some more chalky emulsion tester pots
3. print all my images off and cut to size
4. transfer the images to the wood
5. drill holes in the blocks that I am going to add texture to (prior to this I am going to use a smaller version of the photograph and sketch on a rough idea of how I'm giong to add thread/detail.
6. finalise packaging

Reflection
I am progressing with the wooden blocks.  I have done plenty of sampling, sought feedback, taken the feedback on board, sourced more imagery, edited the imagery in Photoshop, taken Emma's feedback on board from the tutorials.  

To do
Positive affirmations : my work is good enough to sell, I am an artist, I am going to be successful.

Visual Studies presentation on controversial advertising

In the presentation I have to do a summary to including the following

1. what i found in my research
2. how i developed my ideas
3. why i chose idea to take forward - if they were bad ideas discuss this 
4. did my production look ok 
5. final artwork success and failures in my work 
6. my own and others' opinions 

The presentation needs to be up to 10 minutes long and will be presented on the final Wednesday class before breaking up for Christmas

Wednesday 6th November - tutorial with Lance

I requested a tutorial today with Lance as I felt I was struggling with the controversial adverts project and also felt I was going backwards in my work, rather than forwards.  I spent time looking photographs yesterday of my progress from foundation diploma to now, 2nd year of degree and felt that my work was better in the first year (well my FMP was anyway).  I felt that I hadn't produced anything new or original, and that I should have something commercial by now.   I have realised lately that my expectations of myself are very high and that I am actually doing ok in general, but I wasn't sure if my high expectations extended to my art work as well and after talking to Lance I feel I do.   Whilst it's ok to strive for the best I can do, I need to accept that i'm doing ok.   Infact I had positive comments from Lance about my work, I just need to believe them.

I was convinced controversial adverts had to be handed in today, so was relieved when I was told we had another 2 weeks.  I rushed through an advert yesterday, just so I something to hand in.   I was a tad embarrassed to show it to Lance, but his feedback was that the style didn't suit the advert.   I told Lance of my initial plan to dig a big hole in the allotment and put someone in it with their head/feet hanging out. 

I talked through my abuse thoughts for adverts as well i.e. the dating agency and the pub scenario and Lance made a suggestion of a personal column.

I now need to progress this module.    

23rd November - Derby University Open Day

I visited Derby University on 23rd November arriving around 10 am.   I sought out the Creative Expressive Therapies stand and spoke to Martyn Parker Eames who runs the course.  I asked him about  doing the course as a top up to my course.   He advised that it might be possible to come in at year 2 but I would have to show that I had prepared and delivered workshops and that had knowledge of counselling.   I was quite annoyed because I had written to him in September this year asking the same questions as I was asking today.  One specific question was "what would I need to do to be able to get on the course i.e. any counselling course".   I heard nothing from him and emailed again in October and subsequently did receive a phone call from a lady and I stored the message and planned to listen to it to get her details however I left it too long and my phone erased the message and I had no details.   I felt Mr Parker Eames was a tad patronising and really wasn't interested in having someone on the course to top up.   I did actually think having reviewed the course outline, year by year, that it wouldn't be an easy transition.  So I didn't bother going for the talk at 12 noon.

I then went to the Fine Art stand and was directed to the bus outside to go to Britannia Mill.   There was a small room in which we had a talk from Denis O'Connor.   His presentation covered work that had been done by previous students, what was expected, what facilities there were.  I had the opportunity to look around the Mill which is a dedicated fine art building.   Textiles is covered within that area in a fine art capacity i.e. not creating garments.  He showed some lead boddices that had been created and stitched.   Another piece of work was a table and chairs made of tea leaves !

There is a fine art blog on the university site.   At interview, Denis advised us to piece one piece of our work as that is what we will be talking about.  Bring sketchbooks to interview.

The week is a four day week in the studio (Monday, Tuesday and Friday) and Thursday is history of art lectures.    Wednesday PM is for visiting artist lectures.  

I felt inspired by the facilities available, specially around the textiles area.   They only take 30 people each year.   Interviews are in December, Denis said so I would need to apply now.  I asked about the Erasmus scheme and he said they do take part in it, but they're not that great on it or words to that effect so I felt that he was saying it was bit hit and miss as to whether it gets organised.  

Photographs of some of the fine art facilities 

sounds familiar 

Photographs for blocks taken today of cars !

Some of my photographs of cars are shown below.  The box I ended up with today consisted of emergency service vehicles ! including the RAC and helicopter rescue so I'll edit some of them in Photoshop in the next few days.  

Sunday 24th November

I have started to think about (again) my identity/brand for the items I am going to sell.  Last year, Jasmine did me some designs but I am rethinking them and this morning I have been having a brain storming session with my nephews.   Ideas so far include Sweet Pea Crafts, Sweet as Sugar, Tracey's Treats, Tracey's Treasures.  I have to say I am still keen on my "lardyeric" because I have been using that name for years as an email address, it is unique but as I have yet to do a marketing/self promotion module, I'm not keen to go ahead and produce anything relating to that.  Also, I feel that as I don't yet have stock to sell, nor do I know if I'm going to make any more of these blocks or any of the things I have made until after the arts market, I'm reluctant to do a website or advertise my products.   I suspect that's a bit of a catch 22.   I won't sell my work unless people know about it and I won't create a brand until I'm ...................   I feel that i'm hesitating because i'm fearful of my work selling, and the repercussions of that i.e. I could have orders, I will have to make orders, I will have to take this REALLY seriously, and above all I will have to be responsible and a complete grown up about this.  I'm scared.  That's the bottom line.  

Facebook would be an ideal medium to use.   I know that The Tiny Maker has been successfully selling her work locally, through Facebook.   She has a brand, her work is quality and she has had a successful year and cannot now take any more orders.  She started on Facebook in 2011 and has 650+ followers.  She has this year filed her first company self assessment.   Her brand is shown below on the tags made.  I spoke to the designer at The Tiny Maker who told me how the name came about and it has a personal link.  

 


When I was selling my work last year, I purchased some vintage labels from ebay from a seller called love luscious labels so maybe this is my starting point. 

Arts Market

We have had 3 meetings now at college as a group to discuss the arts market initiated by Becky.  The arts market is being held on the 7th and 14th December in Burton town centre, probably located where the ice rink will be.   There was an initial date of 23rd November but this obviously changed and was beyond our control.

At the first meeting on 10th October we discussed what we would thought we would like to make.
Lauren textiles accessories, Becky printed items, Lotty fabric cushions, Tom silk screen printing, Jasmine to do the marketing, Ollie sculpture, Shane calendars and Dan a reindeer sculpture.   These were initial first ideas, and me I want to do something with my photographs.

The second meeting we further discussed our work and how far we had got. We also discussed who was going to be doing the market i.e. any other groups and we decided we needed to know how many of us there would be so we could plan our space.   After our meeting myself and Becky  we went to talk to Julian's photography group to see if they were planning to sell anything at the market.   Julian thought it unlikely as the group was doing work for the auction.  So we as a group are planning for ourselves based on no one else being on the stall.

Jasmine and Lauren are doing the advertising for the market between them, producing posters/flyers giving details such as date, time, location, who we are, what we are selling.  Lauren is going to speak to Lance to see if we need to include the college logo.   They will not be making items for the actual stall to sell. 

We discussed the possibility of some of the group drawing sketches on the day for say a small amount of money i.e. £3.   Tom, Ollie and Dan offered to do this.   Other ideas included demonstrations on the day but this has yet to be finalised. 

Wediscussed gift wrapping our gifts and we decided that we would each be responsible for this.  For gift wrapping I will be using tissue paper which I have today purchased at a cost of 49 pence for 10 sheets.  I also still have my own labels from last year so I will use these up and stick them on the

I need to purchase public liability insurance which I will do through a-n magazine at a cost of £36.  Although for market stalls in Burton only one person on the stall needs to have insurance in place, as I am selling items now, I feel I should have my own insurance.

So having now done about 6 samples of photos onto wood, my final sample I took to college and have now got feedback on.  So this evening, I have been editing my photos for the blocks and I need now to put them into an illustrator file and resize them to print them on Monday/Tuesday next week.
Ideally, I want to get them onto the wood by end of next week so they are all ready to be finished off/embellished.

The meetings were all productive, short and to the point.   We all, I feel, had our say, had input and everyone is ok with doing this. 

My plan

So having worked out the size I want my blocks, I have calculated I need

9 pieces at 7 x 8 cm
9 pieces at 18 x 13 cm
1 piece at 60 x 13 cm

all the pieces will be either 2 or 4 cm deep

The outcome of the final sample that I did was that the off cuts was not the best one to use due to its uneven surface so I will be purchasing my timber from the length as opposed to having the off cuts.    For my personal use I will be using the off cuts.

I also need to investigate ways to hang my blocks as an alternative to standing them alone.   Ideally it need to be something that will keep the block flush against the wall it is mounted on.  One option is to use picture plate hangers as shown below.  These can be purchased in brass, nickel and bronze.  This fixed would be visible at the sides or top of each block so I'm not convinced about this.  

89 pence each

Pack of 4 £1.79

This second option above is a corner fixing which possibly would not be as visible as the picture plate hanger.  

http://www.ukpictureframingsupplies.co.uk/mirror-or-board-corner-fixings-1055-p.asp

What I would ideally like is a fixing that allows the blocks to look as though they are floating - I know you can get "floating" shelves so I checked out floating shelf hardware but I don't think it will work as the fixings are pretty chunky and not suitable for my blocks.   I need to think further on this and talk to John.  

 

 

My first wooden block print as a gift gratefully received

One of my first "sample" blocks with cars on has today been given to my nephew who asked me "did you make that".   He liked it.   He also by chance had a matching birthday card, hand made by me.

Tomorrow will be photographing some of the boys' cars for further pictures as the I have only one photograph which was done in one of the visual studies classes last year.   I have plenty to choose from.

Photoshop editing continued

original photograph before any editing

edited with auto colour, tone and contrast

edited changing the colour balance option under image adjustments

edited using the invert option - which has in effect turned the image inside out

again using the colour I have created this image - I wanted to create a variety of different colours of the same image

this is edited by removing the luminosity option