My Creative Space

I Do Believe In Fairies! I Do! I Do!

2010-05-16T08:53:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone, long time no blog!

I just wanted to share a couple of images with you of something I am particularly proud of :)

It is my best friend's bedroom door which I designed and then painted this weekend. It took just under five hours to complete from start to finish.

The top reads "If you stand for nothing... You'll fall for anything" - a quote my friend is particularly taken with.

Hope you like :) We certainly do.

<3

Art History and The Random Collage (sounds like an independent film title)

2010-05-02T10:44:00.000-07:00

It's been a while again, I know. So much stuff happening and, to be honest, not enough art.

I've been so uninspired recently that I've actually turned my interests to art history reading. I read Hatt and Klonk as you know. Now I'm immersed in Anne D'Alleva's book 'Methods and Theories on Art History' and 'Feminist Theory' by bell hooks.

I'm not a feminist - I actually think the movement is more problamatic than of much use to woman as a whole. It can be a very racist and classist. However, feminist art history is fascinating. How women are adored and abhorred within the art spectrum is very significant to society... Even if I don't agree with many feminist theories (such as the classic 'all men hate and subjugate women' or that 'sex is socially constructed') within art history, feminist theory makes sense... to me at least.

Onto a different topic, I did create a collage recently because I was inspired by the work of Chris Ofili at his latest exhibition in Tate Britain (I URGE you to go and see this). His use of collage got me thinking, and I put together an A4 piece of work dealing with self image and social pressures on women. If you notice, the word 'ugly' is spelt out in the picture - not many people notice this, so I thought I would tell you haha.

Happy blogging

Long Time No ...Blogging?

2010-04-12T08:04:00.000-07:00

It's been a while, I know. Just so many things going on at the moment with easter break and all that!

But I've started reading Hatt and Klonk... and it's a little intense for art history beginners! I'm taking notes and annotating what is written, but it takes me a while to digest what it all means. I'm determined though, I'm not giving up on this book; besides, it is really interesting, I can't fault it on that one!

At work (I work at a secondary school) there is a lot of talk about the Royal Academy's A-Level summer exhibition. A few of the a-level students are putting there art work in for judging, and I am jealous there wasn't an opportunity like this when I was at school... which is only a year ago! Either that or no one knew anything of it! Oh well, best of luck to those fortunate students!

Happy blogging

<3

Hatt and Klonk

2010-03-22T13:29:00.000-07:00

'Hatt and Klonk' is an art history book recommended to me by an Art History Professor at Plymouth university.

For my own benefit I asked her, in my interview, whether she has any recommended reading with regards to art history. Her reply was 'Hatt and Klonk' which at first threw me; it sounds more like a comedy duo... much like Armstrong and Miller haha...

However this afternoon I order a copy from amazon and I cannot wait to read it. It's only recently been published and is apparently a comprehensive non-fiction about art history that, I hope, will be simple enough to understand. (Vasari's 'Lives of the Artists' can sometimes be as clear as mud!)

I'll keep you all posted.

Also, last weekend I spent about 9 hours (in total) re-vamping my entire bedroom. Since I was 13 I've had posters and drawings all over the walls and I got fed up with it. The fact that I am 20 in a matter of months pressured me into leaving my love for Good Charlotte posters and my poor attempts at manga drawing behind me... Now I have a new and improved bedroom which, strangley, seems twice as big and bright than before. I spent hours nailing up my art work which isn't for an ego trip, but more for my confidence in art. When I left university I thought I was talentless, and displaying my work makes me feel good about it... So sue me!

Happy Blogging

<3

Spring Fever

2010-03-16T08:48:00.000-07:00

My dried rose pendant

Spring has finally sprung!

I am so excited about Spring because it makes me so happy and hopeful for the year ahead :)

After going for a walk this afternoon I bought some daffodils and yellow chrysanthemums for my bedroom. I have a hobby of hanging and drying flowers to preserve them - if ever I or my mum are given flowers, I will always preserve at least one.

Of course I never do this while the flowers are still healthy and living - they have to be wilting and starting to die before I will hang them.

Recently I had an idea of making a piece of jewellery from my hung flowers. Roses make some of the best preserved flowers - the more volume in the head the better. Roses have loads of layers of petals which means when dried, they keep most of their natural shape.

I dipped one of my dried roses in varnish to strengthen it and once it had dried, I cut off the stem and made it into a pendant. Hope you like it :)

Have a wonderful spring-time! :)

Interview Time

2010-03-11T13:08:00.000-08:00

Oh yes, it's that time again - UCAS stress and worry.

I already have an offer from Reading, but on saturday it's my second interview, this time at Plymouth. It's to study art and art history combined - more me than architecture!! Part of me is excited ... but then part of me is frightened... university still scares me... after dropping out it becomes a place of nightmares and horrific memories... I'm trying to be positive, and I'm definitely more driven (due to maturity and self-discovery - cheesy I know, but whatever it's true).

Wish me luck!

I'll keep you posted.

<3

Work Stress. Art Mess

2010-03-10T09:56:00.000-08:00

Work reduced me to tears today. No one should under-estimate the role of an art technician!

My office and so-called "work space" is such a mess I feel my mind is also turning into this creative chaos. I came home today and started painting a landscape - something I rarely do now. I felt the need to calm my mood - be 'zen' and all that... It's a sunset in Devon that I experienced a couple of years back - a truely beautiful sight. I'll be sure to post a photo of the painting when it's finished.

Music is keeping me sane at the moment. The reason I was actually able to carry on and paint this afternoon was Erykah Badu. I don't know if you are familiar with her music, but she is a genius. Check out her latest single - I personally cannot wait for the new album.

She is a goddess.

the link is >>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6u18LKZk-Yo

much love <3

Experimental Painting

2010-03-08T08:52:00.001-08:00

Jackson Pollock - 'One: Number 31' (1950)

Rosie McNamara - Anon (2009-2010)

(This is my own art piece inspired by Jackson Pollock)

Some people are confused by the term 'experimental painting' and when I went for an interview two weeks ago I was even asked what it meant.

In a literal sense, it is experimenting with different media, or perhaps just one medium, to produce an "art" piece. I say "art" because it is debatable whether or not this type of work is actually art. For me, it is part of a development process. I would experiment with media and techniques in order to reach a conclusion on how to produce a final piece.

Having said that, the photo above of my own work is, to me, a finished piece... Yet it is still just an experiment. I wonder if Jackson Pollock felt the same about his famous piece... Who knows?

Keith Tyson - Nature Painting (2006)

Another artist that I recently discovered is Keith Tyson. I went to an exhibition at the Royal Academy in January called 'Earth: Art of a changing world' dealing with issues such as global warming and pollution. To some, Tyson's work may not be art, however I feel there is a deep sense of unruliness and rebellion in his piece. The white contrasted against the cold blue may represent the melting ice caps, and the muddy greens and browns are particularly raw and earthy. Our eyes are drawn to the scarlet red in the left corner which throws the work out of balance and creates even more questions about the meaning of this piece... Blood? Maybe too literal?... Mankind? Maybe too deep?

What do you think?

The Beginning

2010-03-07T09:05:00.000-08:00

(Me in my studio/bedroom - complete creative chaos!)

Hi Readers and Bloggers.

This is my first blog! However, it's a pity I'm already suffering from writer's block ...

The reason behind starting this blog is because I want to be able to publish my own art work, but also discuss artists that inspire me, or issues surrounding the present art world.

I work as an art technician in two schools after dropping out of university. I began studying Architecture but soon found out it wasn't the best career path for me to choose... Maybe I should have listened to all those people who warded me against the profession... But we'll see it as a lesson well learnt ^^

This September I will return to a different university to study art and art history, and this blog will be a way for me to express my interests in these areas. I would also love any readers or followers to give their opinions or recommendations - it would be a great help!

Happy Blogging ^^