Reflection of the Origins Unit - Group Discussion

From the group discussion following the Origins Unit I have discovered that the people that got the better marks for their work put in more time than those that got lower marks. Also, the majority of the people I spoke to enjoyed their first textile world as this was their first choice, although others found it hard to get started due to lack of enthusiasm for the subject.

The next textile world I will be going into is Mixed Media which, I have found out, involves quite a lot of construction and 3D work. I'm slightly apprehensive about starting this world due to not having much experience working in 3D. I think I might also struggle with coming up with fresh ideas and I might need a lot of inspiration to start ideas flowing. However, people have said that they experienced lots of different workshops and they can now use lots of different pieces of equipment including Laser Cutters, Risograph Printer and Book Binders. They have also said that they were allowed to be totally free with their project and there were no restrictions to what they could do for samples.

From speaking to different people that have experienced Mixed Media, I have learnt that I will need to carry out thorough research before the project begins in order to drive my ideas forward. I will also need to keep up with the work to ensure I don't fall behind as people have said that if you miss a session it takes a while to catch yourself back up with the rest of the group.

Evaluation of Origins Unit

There have been many techniques within the Origins Embroidery Unit that have been new to me, but I have enjoyed the challenge. I can now use these techniques in the rest of my degree work and continue to develop them.

In one of my tutorials after the hand embroidery part of my Origins unit, I identified a grid-like pattern appearing in the majority of my work. This led me to research into artists that also use the same type of patterns and grids. I looked into Mondrian and Michael Brennand-Wood who both work in different ways but with the same ideas in mind through line and grids. This has influenced my work through developing the patterns of line and grids within my work. I have identified that I enjoy working on patterned materials and manipulating the pattern to look different at the end. I created a sample that incorporated stripe and thread in sections on the fabric that all have a different effect - some parts of the thread look raised and give the fabric a different texture and some other lines manipulate the pattern such as satin stitch. I have realised that I generally over-think ideas and in the next projects, I will endeavour to be more experimental and just 'go with it' sometimes. I have used my independent study time well and I have continued to develop samples in my own time. I have been organised, I have planned my time in order for it to be used as effectively as possible, and I have consistently met the deadlines and produced what was asked of me. I have enjoyed both the hand and the machine elements of the Origins embroidery unit although I feel that I can do more on the Bernina machines than by hand. I like to mix the hand and machine techniques in order to encapsulate my own hand-stamp on each sample I create. I have discovered areas which I could develop more within my samples and I will consider this is future projects throughout my degree.

If this piece was to be developed I would take one of the techniques from the smaller squares and do this all over the striped fabric so that it looks more sophisticated. I like the patterns that I have sewn, however I feel that the sample would look better if I had only chosen one and done this all over instead. 

This is one of my favourite samples from the Origins unit. I enjoyed working with the pin-tucking foot because the outcomes can be so different. I like the simplicity of the sample and the staggered lines as well as the choice of fabric - due to it having a pile it worked most effectively.

This piece was produced using only the taylor tacking Bernina foot. I like the texture of the sample, but I feel it would be better if some of the threads were cut in order to reveal some of the patterned fabric underneath and create layers. I would also use a different fabric to develop this piece such as a stripe so it is more fitting with the stitch.



Visual Research

For the Origins unit, I was required to produce several drawings using different techniques and media. Below are some of the pieces I created in response to the 'Chance Cards' I was given.

'Make a drawing on layered sheets of transparent paper'. This is the roof of the Arndale Centre in Manchester City Centre. On the back layer of paper I drew the lines close to the centre of the dome shape, whereas the front layer has the lines from nearer the perimeter of the dome which gives depth to the drawing. 

'Make a drawing from dust'. For the element of dust, I scraped a charcoal stick against a ruler so that some flaked off onto the paper. I then smudged this in so that the colour transferred properly. I also took pencil shavings and stuck them on to act as the leaves as this fitted in with the task. I like the way that the oil pastels don't make a solid line, as reflected in the original image. 

'Make a drawing using crumpled/folded paper'. I particularly liked the texture of the railings above, so I tried to replicate this by sticking ripped pieces of masking tape to a folded piece of paper. I then rubbed charcoal over the lines in the darker areas and when I removed the masking tape, a rugged edge was left behind. A development of this drawing would be to use oil bars to get a more realistic texture. 

'Make a drawing from cutting papers'. I found the decoration on the new Art and Design building particularly interesting. I tried to recreate this effect using a hole punch and I took the basic swirly shape from the original image. Although this way of working is simple, it eludes to the original pattern without copying it exactly.

'Make a drawing using Indian Ink and different sized brushes'. I thought that the drainpipe and the bricks in the picture had interesting textures. I used masking tape again to isolate the drainpipe shape and I painted the Ink onto the paper. When I removed the masking tape, I added the details onto the drainpipe using a marker pen. The different sized brushes allowed me to cover larger areas as well as add the details to the bricks.

'Make a drawing that fills 5%/25%/85% of the page'. During one of the first studio sessions we were given several objects to give us inspiration. The drawing I produced was reminiscent of the holes in a colander. I twisted charcoal and smudged circles to replicate the holes in the colander. I like how the charcoal can be smudged and can create soft lines. 

'Make a drawing from shadows'. I tried to think outside the box for this task and I created a stencil based around the figure of a Russian doll. I then painted Indian ink over the figure and when I removed the stencil, the figure was left behind. I then glued the stencil onto the page above the white figures to look like the shadow of the image. I particularly like the way that the Indian ink leaves a streaky effect when brushed on lightly.