I've finally got round to updating my Etsy shop, meaning that work is for sale again!
The pieces I'm currently working on are not yet available, but some other work, most of which is from the past year, are now available for purchase. Everything is reasonably priced, and I ship internationally. Please do have a look.
Wednesday, 30 November 2011
Monday, 28 November 2011
Pushing it
I realise that my work could be considered to be formulaic, as I have quite a systematical approach to the work I'm currently doing. I don't want things to get boring, or have all the pieces looking too similar, so I'm trying to push one element each time I work, meaning that each painting has more individuality.
In the piece I was working on last week, I used more embroidery than I have in others. In my next piece I'm thinking of adding a continuous line drawing made with wool, as an extra layer between the background and the painted face. Today I was painting a new work, and rather than layering one drawing and one block of text over the painted motif, I repeated each layer twice. Below is a photo of the piece so far. I still need to embroider the canvas to bring the face back through, as the marker pen layers dominate it.
That being said, I'm happy with this so far. I'm actually quite impressed with what I accomplished today. I really wasn't feeling in the mood, but one of my friends suggested that I just get started and see how it goes. I ended up finishing the bulk of the painting. The background was the only part I'd already done, and all that's left now is the embroidery layer.
In the piece I was working on last week, I used more embroidery than I have in others. In my next piece I'm thinking of adding a continuous line drawing made with wool, as an extra layer between the background and the painted face. Today I was painting a new work, and rather than layering one drawing and one block of text over the painted motif, I repeated each layer twice. Below is a photo of the piece so far. I still need to embroider the canvas to bring the face back through, as the marker pen layers dominate it.
That being said, I'm happy with this so far. I'm actually quite impressed with what I accomplished today. I really wasn't feeling in the mood, but one of my friends suggested that I just get started and see how it goes. I ended up finishing the bulk of the painting. The background was the only part I'd already done, and all that's left now is the embroidery layer.
Sunday, 27 November 2011
Some recent images
I've been working hard, and haven't posted for a few weeks, so here are some images of what I've been doing.
Two continous line preparatory drawings
A preparatory painting for a piece I'll probably start on tomorrow
The fourth final painting I've completed. I was aiming to finish five by Christmas, and I've just about done that already. I'll get started on the sixth one tomorrow.
Two continous line preparatory drawings
A preparatory painting for a piece I'll probably start on tomorrow
The fourth final painting I've completed. I was aiming to finish five by Christmas, and I've just about done that already. I'll get started on the sixth one tomorrow.
Sunday, 6 November 2011
Writing in cut-ups
I've been researching more into cut-ups recently, and I've found some interesting quotations and statements on the subject. I'm really getting into it.
To help my research, and to experiment more with the cut-up process, I've written a much longer piece than I normally would, just for experimentation. The poetry I use in the paintings is quite short, for practical reasons, so this gave me a chance to try something a bit different. It started with two A4 pages, writing in a stream of consciousness about various different matters, including moving from Finland, and going back for a holiday. Therefore it definitely isn't as focussed as the poetry I write for the paintings are. I'm undecided on whether that's a good or bad thing.
I like how this one repeats words a lot - I like the rhythm of this and the way it flows. The results are always so unpredictable because it's completely random. Another thing I like about cut-ups generally, and which has really worked here, is how some phrases almost make sense, but not quite. The results can be quite beautiful. I'm thinking that another fun idea could be to make a cut-up, rewrite that on paper as a block of text, rather than in poetry format, then cut it up again, just to see what happens. Of course, that idea could go on and on forever. It could be a solution for my work when I'm not satisfied with the results and want to try again.Below is what I came up with after cutting it up.
For me.
Today at the moment.
Planning to visit again in February.
In the summer I was so money, but doing something more would make appreciate London more.
I'm I hope I won't be very sad when I leave, but I I don't have walking home from work one morning, it was
Expect I will be.
However, winter was when I realised how much I I wonder what I worry that it to pass.
Taking some time away certainly made me however, it was very new it was beautiful.
Reflected the weather.
Motivated to work because I want the time will be the same this time.
Many of so glad I stayed there.
Actually do things.
I was in a lot of pain.
I have people to spend time with in is that I can now enjoy it on my own terms.
I'm so pleased that I'm going to Finland it was horrible to leave the I shouldn't spend too much
Miserable.
I miss seeing the good time.
Terms of having work and something fulfilling to next month!
Dull since I came back to London.
It was when I was loved Turku and Finland.
I'm really excited about my holiday.
More of an effort to sort things out, and happy and having fun.
Countryside, with the trees and snow.
Snowpiles.
My friends have moved away now, and it's also I'll be leaving more and more, I miss Finland.
Older friends more often.
Winter looked was so unique.
I hope he maybe the difference after all, but then I do have a lot of work city and my friends last time.
No coming in and out of Turku.
Restrictions are placed on me anymore.
By quickly, but also that I have enough
The house, but it would be nice to see my weekends have been quite winter was dark, cold, and it's Sunday today.
Time to get on with all my work.
The summer was wonderful, but the way much of a social life at the moment.
Maybe I was happier in Finland.
This time hasn't gone so slowly I've started to really miss it.
I hope the time goes certainly not in I miss the maybe I'm more me a lot happier.
Once we get to February, most of this year will I should probably make depressing.
Manages to save enough money for that.
Be over, which is exciting.
I never thought I'd miss Finnish winter.
Do, but I made so many friends and had a Jaakko behind once again, although he is
Sunny and snowy, and I could see the traffic it will be like when I got back in December.
It's funny that my situation and emotions.
To help my research, and to experiment more with the cut-up process, I've written a much longer piece than I normally would, just for experimentation. The poetry I use in the paintings is quite short, for practical reasons, so this gave me a chance to try something a bit different. It started with two A4 pages, writing in a stream of consciousness about various different matters, including moving from Finland, and going back for a holiday. Therefore it definitely isn't as focussed as the poetry I write for the paintings are. I'm undecided on whether that's a good or bad thing.
I like how this one repeats words a lot - I like the rhythm of this and the way it flows. The results are always so unpredictable because it's completely random. Another thing I like about cut-ups generally, and which has really worked here, is how some phrases almost make sense, but not quite. The results can be quite beautiful. I'm thinking that another fun idea could be to make a cut-up, rewrite that on paper as a block of text, rather than in poetry format, then cut it up again, just to see what happens. Of course, that idea could go on and on forever. It could be a solution for my work when I'm not satisfied with the results and want to try again.Below is what I came up with after cutting it up.
For me.
Today at the moment.
Planning to visit again in February.
In the summer I was so money, but doing something more would make appreciate London more.
I'm I hope I won't be very sad when I leave, but I I don't have walking home from work one morning, it was
Expect I will be.
However, winter was when I realised how much I I wonder what I worry that it to pass.
Taking some time away certainly made me however, it was very new it was beautiful.
Reflected the weather.
Motivated to work because I want the time will be the same this time.
Many of so glad I stayed there.
Actually do things.
I was in a lot of pain.
I have people to spend time with in is that I can now enjoy it on my own terms.
I'm so pleased that I'm going to Finland it was horrible to leave the I shouldn't spend too much
Miserable.
I miss seeing the good time.
Terms of having work and something fulfilling to next month!
Dull since I came back to London.
It was when I was loved Turku and Finland.
I'm really excited about my holiday.
More of an effort to sort things out, and happy and having fun.
Countryside, with the trees and snow.
Snowpiles.
My friends have moved away now, and it's also I'll be leaving more and more, I miss Finland.
Older friends more often.
Winter looked was so unique.
I hope he maybe the difference after all, but then I do have a lot of work city and my friends last time.
No coming in and out of Turku.
Restrictions are placed on me anymore.
By quickly, but also that I have enough
The house, but it would be nice to see my weekends have been quite winter was dark, cold, and it's Sunday today.
Time to get on with all my work.
The summer was wonderful, but the way much of a social life at the moment.
Maybe I was happier in Finland.
This time hasn't gone so slowly I've started to really miss it.
I hope the time goes certainly not in I miss the maybe I'm more me a lot happier.
Once we get to February, most of this year will I should probably make depressing.
Manages to save enough money for that.
Be over, which is exciting.
I never thought I'd miss Finnish winter.
Do, but I made so many friends and had a Jaakko behind once again, although he is
Sunny and snowy, and I could see the traffic it will be like when I got back in December.
It's funny that my situation and emotions.
Thursday, 3 November 2011
Two finished portraits!
Both acrylic, marker pen, and embroidery
Today I finished the second portrait, and I'm very happy with these two. Initially I was concerned about using yellow and orange over grey tones, but I really like the the texture coming from the grey. This also serves to emphasise the concept of layering in the work.
Looking at these portraits, I'm struck by the richness of them, coming from the multiple layers and different elements. I think the continuous line drawings on each canvas really contribute to the intensity to the work. I also notice how more experimental colours really affect the mood and style.
I'm really happy, have already painted the background for the next canvas, and I'm ready to get back on it tomorrow!
Friday, 28 October 2011
Changes
I still have no internet! That'll change next week, and hopefully after that I can write more often. This week I've continued on the painting of Emmi, but the general direction has also undergone some changes. The poetry will now be written over the painting, rather than on a separate board, and embroidery will then be on top of that. As layering seemed to become more and more important in the work, this seemed like a logical progression. In the past I've been nervous of doing too much and overloading a piece, but now I want to push it. I have a bit more embroidery to do today, and then I'm done with this one. I'm thinking about tying additional hanging strings to the embroidery, just to add to the intensity.
Then I'll be moving on to a new portrait, this time of my boyfriend. This time I've decided to be more experimental with colour, and work with grey, yellow, and orange. The idea is to create something which may confuse the viewer, or create an unusual effect with the colour combinations. I like the idea of a dull grey background combined with the shock of the bright tones.
Below is an image of this portrait, prior to the addition of the line drawing, text, and embroidery. As I added more the face took on a tribal, mask-like appearance, which I find very interesting. This wasn't a conscious choice - just a natural formation. I'm really pleased so far. When everything is finished I'll post a picture.
Thursday, 20 October 2011
Lots of experiments
Due to moving house and having no internet I've been unable to update this blog. However, I have been working away with preparatory work, and I now feel quite ready to start working on the final painting of Emmi. I've laid down some blocks of colour on the finalo canvas, and today I plan to start the portrait.
In a discussion yesterday it was suggested to me that the poetry and painting are at odds with each other - the poetry is deliberately mixed up and random, whereas the painting is intended to be clearer and direct. I'm trying to hit a balance between the work being immediately readable, and therefore not very interesting, and being complicated and challenging. I want to viewer to have to consider the work a bit, not just look at it once, understand it, and move on.
In order to create more harmony I'm thinking of adding a rough, continuous line drawing, layered on top of the portrait. In my view this will add an element of confusion, without making the image indecipherable. I hope that the loose threads will also add a degree of disarray.
The other thing I'm currently working on is a philosophical text to be shown alongside these paintings, examining the nature of distance and separation. The individual works are more concerned with particular people, whereas this will reflect on distance and long-distance relationships more generally. I began writing notes on this last week, and don't want to publish too much right now.
I'm also considering how to present this text so that it fits with the other work. This is still in the early stages, so nothing is certain yet.
In a discussion yesterday it was suggested to me that the poetry and painting are at odds with each other - the poetry is deliberately mixed up and random, whereas the painting is intended to be clearer and direct. I'm trying to hit a balance between the work being immediately readable, and therefore not very interesting, and being complicated and challenging. I want to viewer to have to consider the work a bit, not just look at it once, understand it, and move on.
In order to create more harmony I'm thinking of adding a rough, continuous line drawing, layered on top of the portrait. In my view this will add an element of confusion, without making the image indecipherable. I hope that the loose threads will also add a degree of disarray.
The other thing I'm currently working on is a philosophical text to be shown alongside these paintings, examining the nature of distance and separation. The individual works are more concerned with particular people, whereas this will reflect on distance and long-distance relationships more generally. I began writing notes on this last week, and don't want to publish too much right now.
I'm also considering how to present this text so that it fits with the other work. This is still in the early stages, so nothing is certain yet.
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