SUSAN SYDDALL SURFACE DESIGNER AND MIXED MEDIA ARTIST: October 2012

Wednesday, 17 October 2012

It's a Rollercoaster

These two photographs are of Hilbre Island

The above photographs were taken at Hilbre Island on the Wirrall and the painting below was inspired by them. I had my tutorial yesterday and they were very interested in this abstract landscape. They liked the free form nature of it which I was please about because I personally liked it and want to develop more in this style. I was surprised because although I liked it, I was unsure whether it had enough content/detail.

landscape detail of rock

I scanned this image in using the "map enhancer" which gave me vibrant colour contrast then adjusted the tonal threshold to create the image below which might be interesting on a screen.

black and white version

I do feel that I'm on a roller coaster one minute I'm happy with what I'm doing the next it's a disaster or its not what I want to achieve. Nick said during the tutorial that you have to go through pain to get where you want to be. I know exactly what he means, its like a marathon you just have to keep running through the pain! And that means experiment and work till something clicks. I hope it does!

TEXTURE * LINE * FORM

My theme for my final year is texture, line and form in the landscape and as I have posted previously I have been gathering Secondary research from all over. Photographs of Ansel Adams, National Geographic showing large panaramic views and also interpretations of landscape such as the European Folk Art with their peasant landscapes which have a definite pattern and rhythm to them using flat large scale images. But in my primary research my photographs of the English landscape I have taken close up images of lichen, bark, stone etc., which are beautiful in themselves.

Photograph of algae on rock

water colour and inks

I love the subtle colours and beauty of lichen. I can see the shapes recreated in stitch marks and raised textures.

I've been experimenting with brusho, celephane and salt to help me create the intense colour and lines.

Sunday, 7 October 2012

Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair

Visited the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair this week. Looking for inspiration and loved the new work of Louise Gardiner, she has developed her own techniques mixing media and drawing with thread. These designs create movement and explosive, organic designs.

I loved the work of Claire Baker a ceramic artist. She produces these highly glazed ceramics with transfers and paintings. Many of the stalls were the same as last year.

Claire Baker Ceramics

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Tuesday, 2 October 2012

'Crochetdermy' Wild Creatures

Another evening researching and I came across Shauna Richardson's amazing crochet creatures. According to Katherine Higgins of the Antiques Roadshow her work is one to start collecting. Made of mohair they are tactile, lifelike and amusing.

Makes you think about knitting and crochet in a different way!

Stag by Shauna Richardson www.shaunarichardson.com

Running Hare by Shauna Richardson www.shaunarichardson.com

Tent London

Couldn't get down to London for the Tent London exhibition, but found this amazing knitted furniture on-line that is exhibiting. I'm obsessed with form and texture at the moment and just love these organic shapes.

They are designed by Claire-Anne O'Brien, a young Irish born London based designer and recent graduate from the RCA (MA Textiles). Her big influence is pattern and form combined with research on traditional crafts and materials.

These pieces were inspired by elements of knitted stitch which she has exaggerated to a large scale. I love them!