For jess

Wow!! What a pleasure to read!! The got a strong sense that you understand much about your precess and the reasons why you do the things you do.
So am I right in thinking that your working towards a final piece being a ‘book’ will you present a book? Or do you not need a final piece?


Just a quick though u might like this:

Claire Morgan is an installation artist who’s work is so dynamic and filled with movement. (just when you said taxidermy – cant spell that hahaha) – my friend is doing a project on birds and feathers..



I know your not finished this written work yet so this are things you may already have planned or not even need but I think images of this old book with close ups showing examples of some of the finer points you make would really strengthen your work.

Sorry if I suggest things that wont benefit or help your grade as I don’t know your marking criteria but I will just say everything I think... lol

Im looking at old albums and stuff, I find there titles fascinating too!! Sometimes its hard to convey the beauty of something so worn and taty.. ive found trying to make your own work worn and tatty appears too contrived sometime L

Anyway..
So initially I would look at some of the pages in this book that your really attracted to, work out why.. it may be just a tiny thing, a colour or an image or a theme. Then I would recreate your own. It doesn’t have to look the same at all, just present the same feeling or vibe that your getting from your inspiration. It may not use any of the same techniques. For example you make re represent a photograph, letter, picture, using calico and stitch but the aim is to  present a related response/feeling for the viewer..... then I would talk about this in your write up... explain things you’ve learnt, things that did and didn’t work etc.

Also I didn’t understand this...

  • to portray the desensitising of children in modern society

I think I know what you are trying to say but think you could say it clearer. J

I don’t know how many artists you have to include?? On my course the more the better, be weary of using Tracey Emin, all my tutors aren’t keen of such cliché artists, obviously include her but use others to strengthen her..
I’ve used quite a few for stitch in the past
 
Jessie chorley...she makes fabric journals and her art are the stories... she feels that stitching into the page directly is important as it is composing the narrative in a honest and innocent way.. simulary to the point you made about the continual line drawings J

Priscilla Jones’s work is quite scrapbook like...
she also does some really kool 3d pieces made with wire and wax, I looked at her this year wen I was using juxtapositions within my work.

Other artists that use books etc are:
Betty Pepper
 Pepper - The Music in his Head
Betty Pepper’s work links jewellery, textiles and fine art. Her ongoing project Book Keeping is inspired by the old adage ‘never judge a book by its cover’. The artist finds inspiration in stories, poems and fabrics. In most of her work Betty uses old books to inspire, provide materials and present the jewellery and to reflect the story-telling aspect of what she does

... also see hand crafted with a knife like your own book!!

These pieces are what inspired me to cut out pieces of  my own books. I collect books in charity shops, really old, worn ones ;) can your work me reused? Borrowed items? Sometimes its good to get real old charm in your work if thats the feel your trying to present. Donf try and fake it, use a real old item.

My blog has loads of paper artists too. Put them in your journal if you feel it will further your investigation!

Another artist I love is Janine Larson. Saw her at a show and ive never forgotten her.. she did these books that act as sculptures..  check out her website ..  her toy sculptures are amazing and also relate to the victorian period which might be of interest to you


this can be confused ith line drawings which is why I think there so interesting.. what you think?? Theres more on her website.

Also I found this book in the library, and the concept of it interested me. it was taking life back to basics. Something which I think your trying to explore in your work?

it was a tiny book (smaller than a5) with illustrations on every page..

There’s nothing like an economic recession to remind you what you DON’T have and CAN’T afford. Now more than ever, it’s important to remind ourselves what we do have; what really matters, and what small items in our lives actually make us happy once we pay attention to them.
And that’s what Products for a Happy Life does – singles out the items that we take for granted on a daily basis and shows us how wonderful they really are. Like a 1950′s Sears Catalog, the book is a dainty reminder of life’s little pleasantries.
I did a project in collage using barbies! Or more there silhouettes and how they teach kids from a young age about an unreality of perfection! I cut out silhouettes from domestic settings! Unfortunetly I don’t have any images. But I went to an exhibition early last year and saw this artist. ..... Jane skinner .. she uses dolls in her work. Its a bit like she sexualies the dolls, and plays with stereo types...
Photo 1 of Passing Clouds Other
When I studied dolls I remember looking at hans belmer , his work is seedy...

In a way I feel that this can be seen as presenting similar issues to that of the bratz dolls, obviously more viciously and xrated but in a way both exceed the ideas and themes that a child should know... you could choose to push the boundaries and turn something innocent into something not? Thou I get the impression youve moved on from the doll idea?



his work is all to do with the rebellion of the nazis and how people couldnt be perfect.



I LOVE your relief prints!!

I adore the quality of line!! They remind me a little of henry moores sketches! ( and I do see how they relate to tracey emin here too!!)

Have you done clean up prints before?? Ive got some of my best prints from them!!
Also with screens iv starched into them while the paints still wet and got a really good effect:
 
Some monos I did.. not the best b ut you can get so many effects. I think your prints are really strong, I think u should put more pictures in your journal


I think print is so interesting because you can build up layers etc. These were just a3 photocopies that I kept printing over and over.


Another artist i thought ud like:
Ali miller































































































































Memories are more pressures than gold
Ali Miller's first solo exhibition was held at the Truman Brewery in November 2006. The title "Memories are more pressures than gold" arose from a juxtaposition of the words "precious" and "pressures". The memories should be more precious, but to arrive at that point the pressures are excruciating. It is also pressure to reach back to those memories.


Sorry ive crammed soo much in, I mayb completely in the wrong direction! Im a little unsure of your brief. So I don’t know what you have to achieve, a final peice or just an investigation! I know with my practice that loads of ideas going on is good. In my sketchbook I use luggage labels to put in extras, as in if u want to make a point but it doesn’t enhance your journey I just put a note on a label and connect it to an artist or idea. My tutor liked this, as she got an understanding into the depth I was thinking about things and considering alternatives. Obviously our courses are different. I have to find constant meaning within my work etc.. im not sure if you have to do that too??

I think a successful sketchbook has lots of samples and tryouts of ideas do you? Do u have to hand in a sketch book? Also another way to increase you work amount (as you said you were worried about the amount you have) would be:

·         Photograph in a different setting _if it is sculptural – sometimes changing the environment changes everything about it.
·         Displaying work as a photograph. Get it printed big.
·         Scanning in images and playing with them on photoshop! – they can become unrecognisable

I love your continual line drawings, make loads of them then you can do different things with them.


Sorry for the ramblings!! Hope this helps in some kind of way!!
Love you lots

Xxxxx