City Kaleidoscope

The next stage was purely digital.

I photographed the image, with the help of my 4yo daughter who held the torch for my 'atmospheric lighting', then manipulated the image into a repeat design. My initial efforts were just too... uuugggh... but I eventually came up with this image which I like...

When I received my sample swatch from Spoonflower I was disappointed. It was way too dark and the repeat was too large. I lightened it and made it smaller, and then sent away for it... so I truly hope it looks as great as I imagine it to... there was not enough time to send for another swatch... The design principles and elements I focused on included, texture, variation, line, colour, harmony, shape, and size. My goal was to create a soft and textured geometric design. On screen I feel I have achieved this, but the proof is yet to come...

The gap between virtual and real still exists.... so "Mind the Gap"

Geometrica

What have I been up to? Well a new year brings with it completion... closure... I have finished my entry for the Geometica exhibition and am now simply waiting in apprehension for the final fabric print from Spoonflower.

The process has been interesting. I began with a photo taken from Edinburgh gardens in North Fitzroy, looking at the wonderful Melbourne city-scape. Here is my photograph... I love the shadows of the trees on the oval.

I then drew some of the lovely shapes from this image onto graph paper and created a geometric pattern to knit from. I scrummaged through my ol' bag of wool to find some colours that represented the image, and started knitting.

It was important for me to try to use materials I had on hand... to try and create something interesting out of scaps and left-overs. I uses some left-over MDF board for the base and back, and some foam board for the 3D forms of the buildings. Fortunately my brother is metal worker, and he had some scrap metal which he created the box out of. (Thanks Keith) The shine just finishes it off perfectly for me! I love the reflection of the knitted city-scape inside the box, and although I haven't yet removed the protective plastic from the outside, the high shine it will have is reflective of the glass and metalic shine of the city. Hopefully reflecting the printed fabric and the movement of people when it is in position.

Tractors

I have an image for you!

Here is the Tractors print I painted up in gouache for a 'Spoonflower' competition about Tractors!

There are many different ways to manage life's ups and downs...

Graphica

I have just uploaded my design for the 'Graphica' fashion and Textiles exhibition onto 'Spoonflower' and sent away for a test swatch... pretty exciting! I have fully loved the process of creating this design, which turned out different to what I expected, but I like it. Only one more aspect of my entry to be finalised, and that is the final printed fabric banner, and putting the diorama and the fabric together...

Be open to change!

Mark Ryden

Where am I at right now? besides feeling my shirt stretching over my post-Christmas paunch, I'm feeling quite good about my progress!

• I received my first length of printed fabric from 'Spoonflower' with my Tractors design on it, and am pleased with the results... when I make something from it I'll post it up.
  
• I've also almost completed my diorama! It'll be ready to be photographed soon! I have a couple of progress shots, which I shall put up next time I'm on.

My inspiration at the moment comes from Mark Ryden. My husband gave me his book 'The Snow Yak Show' and it is beautiful. It is about his 2009 exhibition at the Tomio Koyama Gallery in Tokyo.

Art? Enjoy it!

Mirka Mora

Inspiration PLUS... Bec and I went to the Mirka Mora exhibition at Heide. It was so beautiful and inspiring... the cheeky child-like innocence. It was a bonus that there was a drawing exhibition on will some wonderful contemporary artists too... I took some photos of Bec and of the flowers in the vegetable garden and am intending to create a 'Becky Doll' to commemorate the day... so stay tuned...

It was also the RMIT textile design and production Graduates exhibition on Thursday night. It was great, yet daunting, to see the professionalism of their works. The bar is high, but I am ready for the challenge! (I can say that now as I'm on holidays!)

I am also working on a piece for the 2011 'geometrica' exhibition held by RMIT. I have photographed the city scape from Edinburgh Gardens and have begun to create a 3D diorama of it using wool... I must admit that it is the process which is intriguing to me, so hopefully the end result will be as interesting! My goal is to exhibit the 3D diorama with a length of printed cloth behind it, showcasing both the process and the end result.

Be Inspired!

Resolution

It's never too late! I have resolved to update my blog on a monthly basis. Hopefully it will keep me focused and help me achieve those goals I'm always setting.

Hi everyone... I know its been ages since I've even looked at my blog, but I'm here now. I began studying part time again this year, Textile design and Production at RMIT Brunswick TAFE and I'm loving it... Hopefully I'll be doing some show and tell with the blog.

I also have a couple of designs on SPOONFLOWER under 'Red Paeony', and am aiming to include at least one new design a year on that site.

I have met some very inspiring people through the course, and have learnt about many other fascinating designers and artists. My tutors have made me push the limits, and I feel as though I have torn through some type of thin membrane and taken tiny steps into another universe.

I hope you enjoy.