printing
I found risoprinting so much fun, I've never really done it before- especially not with the freedom of colour and design. I layered up colours 4 times on some and I think these came out really beautiful. In some of the designs I worked back into them with biro and a white posca to add some definition that got lost. My favourites have to be the final two.
I think next time I will properly plan out my mono prints so I can better map out how my design will turn out. This way I can take it even further- maybe leaving some sort of negative space would create an interesting contrast.
album cover- ice-cream man
I found this workshop really difficult because of how heavy the subject at hand was. My idea was to create something more so empowering than negative in case this became triggering to viewers. My idea was to capture this 'very fucking brave strong woman' reaching her peak. The stance she has with the a balled fist in the air is to symbolise power, the hair being red to further push the idea of confidence. Dealing with this type of trauma is a journey, a path that needs to be crossed in order to move forward through life and escape from the hands holding you back. This is why in front of the figure is a bridge leading to the top of a mountain emitting light. The idea of 'enlightenment' is achieved here- moving on to your best possible self. I made it so the bottom of the mountain was dark allowing that contrast with the peak. The final steps of bravery to live ones life.
I am proud of the concept of this design however I don't like the execution. I am more of a traditional artist in the sense of doing everything by hand but this piece got way too digital in my opinion. It lacks depth and contrast and these are two extremely key factors. In the future I think it would be better if I filled in the shapes by hand and maybe even experimented with layering and materials.
Overthinking
One of the first things that came to mind when thinking about the ‘beauty in mundane’ was a pub. We walk past so many in our day to day lives, just seeing another building, another place to buy a drink- yet when you’re stood inside, you get a true sense of community. The atmosphere inside a busy pub is unmatched, reunions parties and celebrations.
There's a simple beauty to being on a quiet bus on your own- everyone separate yet with the journey home in common. I don't even listen to music half the time because the peaceful sounds of the engine accompanied by the passing scenery from the window is enough entertainment for me.
I have always enjoyed dog walks, an excuse to explore even the dullest of places. Walks are the best mental health cure but I always get cautious going out alone and so taking Shelby with me is the perfect partner. That feeling of peace but still with the comfort of company is unmatched. There's always some sort of joy watching her running around getting into trouble too.
Rituals
I found this workshops content really interesting as I have never truly focused on the definition of what a ritual really is. The word tends to just make me think of curses cults and witchcraft, and even looking at it in reality I still assumed that it accounted for the everyday routines we undertake. Therefore I have never actually realised that I myself do in fact have rituals. The one that I focused on in today's class was how every year on the day of his death, me and my family all drink a can of Strongbow 'Cloudy Apple' cider in honour of my grandad. While yes to others this may seem strange, but for my family and I this is a completely normal act.
My grandad was known for loving this specific brand of cider, to the point it'd be at the start of the essentials list for every Sainsbury's order. "There's cloudies in the fridge if you want a can" tended to be the thing you were greeted with on entry "ooo grab me one too then". We see this drink now as a symbol of him, while we don't particularly love this drink, on this day we make it a must to have at least one. We cheers to the sky and just stand in silence for a moment just thinking of him, and every time we do it feels so evident that he's right there next to us with his own can.
The idea when I was making this piece was to keep it soft- when I think of a memory I immediately think of a faded photo or a beaten up sketchbook and so when drawing my grandad I wanted him to be faintly in the background to more so symbolise his presence rather than his body. Along the way there was a minor accident where my posca leaked onto the page where I was drawing the Cloudy Apple can. In order to run with this problem I decided to make the can the focal point of the piece rather than have it all blend together and so went over the whole thing in posca. This was solely just to cover up the mistake that ran down the centre of the page after drawing my grandad, but I feel that you can still get a hint of what I wanted to portray.
Unfortunately because of the boldness of the can, the rest if the image is lost- yes the scanner is also responsible for not picking up the colour properly, but even if it had I still don't like how harsh it is within the scene. Luke shared the passion I had for this ritual but he agreed that the execution wasn't so effective. He suggested looking at things from a less literal context and rather focusing on the symbols and feelings to do with it all.
Following the tutorial I went and used crayons to focus more on the feelings of the ritual- the can glowing to show its speciality and then just a simple hand on shoulder to show the comfort brought from doing it.
Although this is really simple, I actually really love the texture created and feel that having a less direct image was slightly more effective because it leaves room for the mind to wonder about what is actually going on.
To develop this further I found some textured paper and decided to go back in with some coloured pencils. This was so that I could go back to the soft idea while still keeping that raw texture like I achieved with the crayons.
The image to the right was a simple concept of my idea without drawing lines. I started with the one can and then the idea just came flowing in. It is rare for me to draw anything without initial line so this felt very strange to me but somehow it gave me enough creative flow to think of a new idea.
All in all I am really happy with how this idea developed. The final concept was to have the focus be the ritual itself (us cheersing cans) and then have this beautiful golden sunset almost enveloping it. I tried to make the glow from the sun look almost heavenly with the clouds. I think this was a really effective way to represent my grandad looking down while we drink to him.
Gym
Going to the gym every night has actually become one of my releases. It started off being a need, something I was reluctant to do but desperate to see the results from going. However, now I actually look forward to it. I rely so much on the opinion of others- needing some source of approval, that I forget the most important thing is the way I see myself. I have discovered self worth and have gained so much pride for the journey I’m taking. Seeing even the smallest of changes, physically or mentally, provides me with so much happiness.
As well as this, it also allows me to regularly catch up with one of my good friends Kriztel. We go together and keep each other motivated, celebrating each others wins and supporting each others fails.
I feel that after a month of consistency, I already have a clearer mind and a more positive outlook.
Going through a rough patch
I went through a really difficult month of feeling low and unmotivated following something happening in my life. I struggled to be on my own and felt undeserving of anything, doubting myself in most ways to the point my self esteem was through the floor. I had trouble sleeping for a few weeks and was genuinely just a bit of a mess. Through this period I learnt a lot about myself and I was able to open myself up to so many more opportunities. It became obvious who the most important people in my life were and I became so so grateful for my friends and family who really supported me through it all. Looking back now I can see that I only lost something that was actually dragging me down, and losing them was necessary in order to start my journey of self worth and focus on what I as an individual deserve.
I became OBSESSED with puzzles haha. Me and my flatmate Leonor set one up in the kitchen one day and instantly I knew this would be an issue for the uni work. I felt myself kind of go into this little world that only existed in the puzzle and for hours I’d just be hunched over the table fitting in pieces, with each one a little feeling of accomplishment. It was great because even when I was struggling to sleep with my thoughts running wild, I could escape into this little world while still doing something that was stimulating yet relaxing. It gave me such a good distraction, and also tore me away from my phone which was another benefit I never knew I needed. It’s safe to say this became one of my releases through this period, and I was able to make such wholesome memories listening to music and puzzling with Leonor.
Another release that came to me through this time was baking. It started off with a single batch of cookies and then it snowballed into every other day. It was so refreshing to just drop all the worries and do something fun I did as a kid, somehow an action so simple brought such excitement and comfort because it made me feel like I was back at home.
I also began to really appreciate the beauty of a coffee shop or café. Inside there’s such a calming sense and it’s obvious that everyone’s there for either a peaceful break or a wholesome catchup. I think I was in Cafe Nero for a week straight with Leonor once, we became obsessed with sitting there with our iced lattes watching the world go by. People watching definitely became one of our new hobbies, trying to guess where each person was going or where they’d come from. We would spend the time chatting about everything and nothing, things that were bothering us or things that we were excited about. Often it was the time we’d discuss what we would be baking next or what puzzle we should buy. But every time we would both walk out feeling that little bit lighter from just being able to sit and speak what was on our mind.
It’s so common to see people sat alone with headphones in, or just sat there reading a book. And I think it just proves that a lot of the time we need those moments where we can just sit and make sense of our thoughts and the little world we live in.
I loved my sunny weekend in Nottingham with Leonor, gave us an excuse to just act like we were on holiday somewhere fun. What I loved about it the most was how we just let go of anything serious and acted like kids again. We had no idea where we were heading but we just continued to follow the greenery and the prettiest roads. Leonor has really helped me realise how important self care is, being kind to yourself is the best act and so we should never feel guilty about being happy. Sometimes we just need to get out and explore, remember how beautiful life can be so that we can be that little bit more appreciative.
Presentation deadlines for the live brief proved very stressful, it was difficult trying to create something that would be accepted by both you and the client. Once I had successfully presented, I felt proud but also a little burnt out. Working so intensely over such a short period of time was overwhelming and so I needed to take a little break.
Due to such the beautiful weather at this time, me and Rachael went and sat in the arboretum together and ate lunch. The atmosphere in there was unmatched, you could almost sense the happiness coming off anyone who passed by. Just watching over the lake and listening to the various wildlife was so soothing. After this we ventured to Stonebridge City Farm. I’ve grown up always obsessed with animals so I was just as excited as the children there haha! The whole time we were chatting we didn’t touch on the topic of uni once, simply just enjoying the day. This was exactly what I needed and its almost as though I could literally feel my battery re charging. I came out of this day feeling inspired and re motivated. From this I learnt that it is key to take time away from what you are working on. Coming back to things with fresh eyes is way more beneficial than running yourself dry.
Final thoughts
I found Ways of Living quite challenging at the start as I didn't fully understand it. I think the first workshop that really clicked with me was about the beauty of the mundane and since that point it's almost like I have appreciated things so much more. This was a really deep topic that required a lot of thought, then having no need for a final piece made it all the more difficult. The lack of direction was terrifying at first, but now I've come to appreciate the experience. The 5 minutes of meditation in the business meetings really set me up for the week and has taught me the importance of taking time out for yourself.