#sealadach

[k00279328]

Bad Spud Studies

I progressed my bad spud, so that it was more diseased and "bad" looking.

I like it's "rawness". It translates quite a natural atmosphere I feel.

I think to better link with the earthiness of the spud, I should turn to making natural pigments using dyes from foods or different elements. I think that would tie in nicely with the natural-ness of it all.

[k00279328]

Printmaking Workshop:

I was very excited going into Monday's Printmaking workshop, having no experience in printmaking before.

We started the workshop, drawing a sketch of something related to our project. Then acetone sheets were given to us and we placed this clear material over our drawings. Then Suzannah showed us how to etch into this acetone.

We used a sharp nail-like tool that was twisted into a twistable to carve into this, using hatching and cross-hatching etchings.

Then when this was done, we used black ink and spread it over our designs. This black ink seeped into the marks on the page. We used paper and cloth to get the excess ink off of the surface, and then proceeded to the actual printing.

The design was pressed down onto a sheet using a printmaking press.

This was the result of the pressing.

The result I thought was quite interesting.

[k00279328]

Horay for Clay.

I was very enthusiastic about entering the 3d clay room, having heard of others that had tried it out.

When I went in, I spoke to Mary and explained my very little knowledge of clay. She walked me through the different methods of making, including how to make a sphere. I never realised that in order to create a sphere, it has to be hollow in the middle, as opposed to a big ball of clay. To make the sphere you make two "pinch pots" and bond them together using slip (watered down clay used as a "glue"). This sounds a lot easier than it actually was. It takes a bit of patience but is okay once you get the hang of it!

I found the moulding and shaping of the clay sphere so therapeutic. There was something so lovely about the feeling of it in my hands. I also loved the messiness of it.

I used tools to create a varied surface on the apple, giving it that hyper-realistic state. It helped to refer to an actual apple.

I hope to paint the apple once it is finished in the kiln.

360° of the apple:

Can't wait to use clay more in the future.

[k00279328]

Photography Workshop.

Really enjoyed this workshop. I loved getting to know the camera. Finding the right balance of aperture and shutter speed was a skill in itself. The most rewarding part was getting a good clear shot that was in focus.

We had some great creative fun in our group of myself, @k00288816 & @k00283290.

Playing with lighting, colours, positioning and movement, we captured a range of different photos. Some serious and some not so serious!

[k00279328]

Drawing with Wire Workshop.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect in this workshop. I came with small line drawings, outlining my ideas for a wire piece, basing it on the apple.

Elaine showed us how to use the wire effectively. I learned how to join wire together using connectors and how to manipulate the wire to create shapes. To strengthen the wire we doubled it over by wrapping it using the drill.

I went with the idea of creating the apple core, with its seeds and all in tact.

To bend and cut the wire we used small pliers.

I loved the way the piece looked different from every angle. It had great depth.

Twisting the wire's edges got painful after a while, so Elaine recommended we cover our fingertips with plasters.

Really nice to get an end result from the process.

[k00279328]

Peer group meeting.

We had a peer group meeting with @eoinmclsad this morning. Great to have a chat and touch base, with both peers and tutor. It's great to hear how everyone else is progressing and getting on aswell, and to help eachother out and share knowledge.😊

[k00279328]

Sculpture 17/1/23:

I continued on from my work on Monday. I wanted to touch on the idea of the body movement, mainly focusing on the hand. I reflected on the joints in the finger.

This is the styrofoam model I made, and I admired the flow of the shape and it's "warped" nature. I pulled and tore the styrofoam to give it it's uneven look.

I then went to making a large scale, using card. I liked how this turned out so I incorporated cardboard to it, and also stuck wadding to the sides, this detail was inspired by the styrofoams texture.

[k00279328]

My "temporary" project statement:

I looked at Temporary as being a state that is opposite to constant. It is full of different compositions, at different rates of time, all impacting our perception. By looking at food in this way, by breaking down the processes of growth and observing the way food is actually created, you begin to really see how deeply rooted the growing of food is in our culture. It reflects on our history and our ancestors in Ireland, and reminds us of a past of starvation, hunger and disease. I wanted to look at the cycle of food in this slightly slanted way, while touching base with our Irish history.

I explored temporary compositions of food as a natural substance, looking mainly at fruit and veg. I started off with apples as an obvious fruit icon, and experimented in different ways, and then went on to the Irish veg staple that is potatoes.

Potatoes are so iconic in Irish culture, which is why I experimented with the idea of the growing potato. I think what drew me to reflect on potatoes is that I felt I could approach the subject matter well and as freely as I wanted through the medium of physical art. I loved the freedom of being able to reflect on heavy subject matter in a creative, non-judgemental way. This no-nonsense way of expression was so well suited to what I wanted to explore with the notion of growth and decay in relation to blight and disease.

By reflecting on the notion of decay and decomposition I observed decay first hand, studied our perception of food, our own experiences with food and what impact the decay of food has on us. I touched base with natural elements such as plants and food. I pulled plant roots, created food pigments and used vegetables as painting tools. I felt that this connection with natural resources was vital for me when expanding on the project. My journey with the project was highly influenced by artists such as Deidre O'Mahoney and Paula Stokes. I found I resonated with both these Irish artists' messages that emphasized the importance of the conserving Irish heritage and working within a community.

I am proud of my progress so far, my expansion of skills and knowledge and my broad use of materials, while reflecting on workshops and seminars. My "temporary" journey only broadened my love and appreciation for art!

Slán le sealadach!