Research: Inspiration Board

Looking through my images in a folder on my computer to me is not an appealing or inspiring way to spark some ideas and to help me develop my project further. So with this in mind I decided to produce a inspiration board on Adobe Photoshop which will represent the start of my final major project.

I prefer to see my work in this way and enjoy making moodboard because I find them very motivating and easy to work with when progressing through a project so that you stay on track at all times. I just need to print this out and place on my wall so as I can see this all the time.

Mark Making: Bleach & Salt

Today I continued with my mark making experimenting and how I could represent decay, rust and erosion like marks. For this I decided to look at resist techniques and I chose to experiment with the use of bleach and salt for this. These everyday household items are a interesting way to produce expressive marks and are a good way to produce interesting layers of colour. Using my research of the artist Micheal Chase I also experimented with my scanner settings to give the images a digital illustrative look similar to Micheal's own art.

This first sample was produced using acrylic paint and bleach. Using bleach leaves behind a interesting bleed affect that reacts well to the acrylic and reminds me of growth, bacteria or moss.

This second sample was done with artists ink and salt. This has a nice crackle effect due to the salt reacting to the wet ink, soaking up the excess ink leaving behind a interesting effect that has similarity to rust or erosion. 

I continued to develop these two techniques which work really well for my concept. I began experimenting with combining the two techniques together to create some interesting and very atmospheric samples.

This final sample was done with artist inks and both the salt and bleach effect. After this dried I continued further with this by scratching the surface of the paper for a more distressed look.

I am going to continue with this and work with other mediums and techniques that could possibly have a similar effect.

Inspiration: Micheal Chase

While searching for artists and designers that experiment with texture I came across the artist Micheal Chase. His work comprises of heavy image distortion, layering, and digital manipulation which when combined produce expressive and innovative art pieces. His work has so much depth and detail due to his use of photography and his research of decaying and temporary surfaces. Manipulation of these photographed surfaces and his experimentation of distortion and vibrant colours also leaves a wondering and ethereal mood to the artwork.

Looking through his website I also found myself drawn to his floral art pieces. I particularly was interested in the use of heavy textures on such a delicate object and the idea of turning the rust and distressed textures with the florals and foliage into something unique and beautiful with such an unusual surface.

I think this works well and the idea of two completely different subjects coming together in such a expressive way. This could be a possible direction for my project, giving my work a feminine touch. With this I am going to experiment with this through drawing and primary research of my own florals and foliage which I will then work from and manipulate in digital form as well as traditionally through textile print and embroidery.