PE task - Sampling Evaluation

Through-out the embroidery unit I have had the chance to explore many different types of stitch that I was previously unaware of in response to the theme of ‘data’. Throughout a project I think they key is to keep researching, you need a constant supply of inspiration in order to develop fresh ideas, so this is exactly what I did.

Lydia Kerr - light photography (left) Becky Ayre (Right- top, middle and bottom) - my initial images.

I took inspiration from many photographers for the initial part of my research, looking not only at light photography but motion photography too. A photographer that really inspired me was Jan Masny. His motion images of ballet dancers are beautiful. Although I didn't have the opportunity to take my own images of dancers I think his images inspired me not just on a photographic level, but when working on my drawings. I noticed that the movement in the images I had taken was the aspect that I found most interesting, and so I tried to translate this into my drawings, using water and ink to achieve a fluid motion with blurred lines.

 

Unknown artist - Ink mark making (left) Becky Ayre - (Right - top, middle and bottom) - my mark making drawings using ink and water.

 

Drawing is an important part of development as it fuels your ideas in relation to shapes, texture and the overall mood to your work. My whole drawing process has been mark making based, capturing energy and movement, similar to many abstract artists I have looked at including; Mark Lewis, Helen Beasley and I Wayan Sudarsana Yansen an Indonesian abstract artist that paints from the heart as a form of meditation. I think a lot of mark making drawing has a vague similarity in that it is fairly spontaneous and robust and so I think the relationship between my work and the artists is an inevitable one, yet still admirable and inspirational.

 

 

Jean-Pierre Braganza - Spring RTW 2014 (left) Becky Ayre (Right - top, middle and bottom) close ups of my embroidery samples.

 

Using the photographs and drawings I created from the theme of data and inspiration from all of the artist’s work I had seen I then started with creating samples. Learning something new every week, taking and adapting the successes into the next week, in order to build and develop my samples. Inspiration for my samples came from embroidery artist’s Clay McLaurin, Andrea farina and ‘SometimesISwirl’, on top of all the paintings, mark makings and photographs from various sources (including Pinterest).

The image above of Jean-Pierre Braganza’s fashion collection is contextual research I found. I think the overall aesthetics of my samples relate to this specific collection of garments, and I think through further development this is one of the routes I could see my work travelling towards. The contrasting colours, bold graphic lines and mix of sheer and solid fabrics overall are a similar mix that I have strived to incorporate into my work.

Overall I think that the most valuable lessons I have learnt through this unit is that inspiration really can come from anywhere, and also  not to try and translate things identically, when moving from drawings to samples sometimes it’s better to just capture the overall essence rather than an exact likeness.

Also below is a link to my Pinterest board that I have created through the duration of this project, using it as my go to inspiration - with similar effect to a mood board.

Becky Ayre - Sampling Unit (Embroidery)

Embroidery - Pulling it all Together [week 6]

For the last week of the sampling unit I aim to create samples that pull together all of the successful aspects that I have developed and worked with through-out the entire embroidery unit. The successful elements I wish to include are ;
- Layering up fabrics, including different textures and dyed qualities.
- A refined 'explosion' of marks (a central energy point).
- Both hand and machine stitches.
- Graphic lines, bold dark areas and small scratchy marks.

When it comes towards the end of a project I always lay out all of my samples in order to see what areas were successful and which areas weren't. I decided to do this at the start of this week so that I could use the analysis to my advantage to hopefully create some exciting final samples. It also helps me to see if anything is missing, and helps me to make decisions about which samples will contribute towards my final collection.

Embroidery - Layering Medias [Week 5]

Whilst layering up dyed fabrics I had the idea to create some different grounds by using photocopies of my drawings and emulsion transferring them onto fabric, to create a worn, textured image. I think using this in my samples this week has really helped to push them that little bit further and so is something I would like to take into my final week. Due to the success of this, at the end of the week I decided to create some digital designs, using what I learnt in digital print. Using Photoshop to layer images of my previous samples, drawings and initial photographs; which I will then use as transfers for my final week of sampling. I haven't had these samples digitally printed because I like the aesthetics of the emulsion transfer, the broken lines create an energy that I fear would be lost through a smooth digital print.

Embroidery - Beggining of hand stitch [week 4]

Moving into hand stitch I knew that I wanted to carry a few elements through and develop them further, but working more with hand stitch. And so through the first week of hand embroidery I have tried to keep using dyed or stained fabrics as a ground. Whilst developing my visual influences further I came across images which I found very inspiring.

 Ballet motion photography by Jan Masny. (left)
 Anatomy of motion - strobe light photography (centre)
 NL40sen by I Wayan Sudarsana Yansen (right)

These images capture the movement and fluidity that I have been trying to include in my work, and I think having now found these I have the inspiration I need to make it work more successfully in my samples and drawings.

Drawing Days

 

The mechanical drawing day was one which has inspired me and I think links to my work through the data theme. The whole energy and movement of the marks being made during this drawing session really captures the mood I have been aiming to achieve. A group of four of us worked together, rotating the sheets of paper between us, giving us 30 seconds each to create our marks, building up layers. This video is just a small collection of images I put together to show the development of the work. I will use copies of theses drawings to develop my visual research in my drawing project further, bringing all of my work together.

Embroidery - Intoduction of tie dye [week 3]

Taking my decision from the previous week about creating samples that are more reflective of my visual recording I decided that a good way to include some of the watery ink marks I have been creating would be to add inks to the fabric; creating a developed ground to work on. I have developed this further by taking some of my fabrics into the dye lab, using what I learned in print to add extra depth to my work.

 

 Using the dyed fabrics I have started layering up the sheer fabrics on top of solid, thicker grounds. I think the layering aspects and dyed fabric is something that is pushing my work forward and I defiantly wish to continue using this.