Artist as Designer/Designer as Artist – Week 2

This last week went by really quickly. In my artist as designer/designer as artist class we were given another 45 minute challenge. I think each challenge is going to be building on the last challenge so were still had paper and tape, but were also given scissors. This time I really tried to just clear my mind and make. I did a lot of thinking and writing over the week and just wanted to relax and let the paper talk to me rather than over thinking this project. I started by folding and cutting pieces of paper, and the shapes started looking like flowers and butterflies. So I started putting things together, and at first things were really literal. It was more about the form, pattern, and shape. I was combining these elements together and they started to look really interesting. Then the shapes got more abstract as I crumbled the paper and put things together. I think the abstract qualities are something that I can build upon later, in my work. After talking about this experience with the class our teacher, Cat Chow, decided that our midterm should be out of paper. We can use any type of paper as long as it’s white. She’s also letting us use white stitching, and white screen printing pigment, YAY!!. It has to be a visually compelling work that is also conceptually solid. It can be an art piece or designed object. It just has to be something that we feel passionate about. I think this is going to be a challenge and I’m excited about it. I’ll post the finished piece sometime after October 10th.

Don’t forget to keep posting your comments objects that evoke a memory, thanks! Here are my 45 minute challenge (#2) pictures.

Survey, please help :)

Please post five things (can be anything) that remind you of something/someone and evoke a memory or thought. I’m starting a “memory journal” where I’m going to write down everything that I see daily that evokes a memory. I’d also like to do a collective journal from your responses. I think it will tell me a lot about which memories are the strongest, etc. Try to list things that you see and think about often. For example, when I was at the flea market on Saturday I saw a punch bowl set, that reminded me of my Grandma & how we’d have it at family events all the time. She just recently gave this set to my Mom and now it’s already illustrating a bunch of connections.

You can list the simple connection that the object relates to if you feel like sharing, but you don’t have to. It can be as simple as a person’s name & shouldn’t go into too much detail. If you’d like you can email me your list instead of posting it on my blog, it’s up to you. Abbles6@gmail.com

Thanks!!!

I just wanted to add that there is no deadline to this question. You can take your time, but please respond. So far it’s really interesting comparing what everyone has written.

Cat Chow Class – Day 2

Today our class went on a field trip to Keller’s Flea Market for inspiration. It’s such a nice day in Savannah and was fun to be able to walk around and just take pictures/browse for interesting items. I didn’t end up buying anything, but I took a lot of pictures. Here are some of my favorites & I’m sure they will spark inspiration for something in the future.

Cat Chow Class – Day 1

It’s that time of year again, back to school! Fall quarter is always exciting. It’s the start of a whole new school year and there are so many possibilities, new ideas, and things to explore. It always interesting to think about where I was last year compared to this year. At the same time I can’t help but wonder where I’ll be after this school year. Things change so fast & I think it’s really exciting. Last year I was just starting the fibers grad program. I was basically just taking preliminary classes and not exactly sure where I was going. I’ve learned a lot since then, explored new processes, recovered from a broken leg, found a direction for my grad work, and passed my first review. I’m really looking forward to where this year is going to lead me and all the new things that are going to happen. It’s going to be a great year, I can feel it! And on that note, I’m posting a little about a class that I’m taking this quarter with Cat Chow, a visiting artist. The class is called The Artist as a Designer/The Designer as an Artist. It’s about experiencing and exploring new working processes and examining and discussing these two creative practices in new ways. Today was the first day and I think it’s going to be a great class. I am excited to work with grad students from other majors, and to be able to think and express myself in new ways. Today we did a small “45 minute challenge”, as Cat Chow called it. We were given tape and paper and then had to make something sculptural. I first started tearing and folding paper. I made little fans, crumbled scraps of paper, braided and twisted paper together, and only used the tape to join the paper. I started thinking about Victorian mourning jewelry because this topic can come up a lot in previous conversations about my work. I think it might be something that I’ll work with later on. I thought about braiding the paper instead of the usual hair that would typically be braided. Then I was thinking about what kind of jewelry I could make out of paper. I decided on rings because this type of jewelry also make me think of the circle of life. So here are the pictures of my paper sculptures. I know this is kind of a silly project but I decided when I started this blog that I would post everything and not just be limited to final pieces. I’m going to put my ideas out there so anyone can comment & give feedback. You never know when something like this could spark inspiration for future work.

Quick Paper Sculptures

Quick Paper Sculptures

Paper Rings

Paper Rings

Paper Rings

Paper Rings

Something fun over the break

While I was home on my two week break between summer and fall quarter I got to work on a few fun projects just for me. My Aunt Diana showed me how to paper piece (a quilting technique). We just worked on small samples and it was tons of fun! Paper piecing is great if you want to use up small scraps or don’t want to cut the pieces before you start sewing. I didn’t get a chance to do a finished piece with this technique so it’s on the list of things to do over the winter break. Here are the pictures of the samples.

Back of paper piecing

Paper Piecing Samples

Artist Research

I’ve pretty much posted all the work I have right now so I’ll be posting some of the artists that I’m researching, and some side projects. I’m on a break from school until September 15th so hopefully I’ll be able to catch up on a few things. Some of you may have seen the latest issue of Fiber Arts and one of the artists featured, Diem Chau, really got me thinking. Diem Chau embroiders on silk organza and layers this over porcelain dish ware. She works with the concepts of memory & mystery. The article in Fiber Arts is really interesting and has inspired me to continue to research and learn about this artist. I’ll post some of her work & please visit her site at www.diemchau.com

Recently, I’ve machine embroidered on some silk organza and have a few ideas for future projects. I’ve been thinking about layering fabrics and I think organza would work great for some of my ideas.

Diem Chau

Diem Chau

Diem Chau