#abstractionandmateriality

[bethhardicreart]

My little sketchbook is starting to fill with things I've found inspiring and little sketches, this is the first time I've used a sketchbook this small and I have instantly become a huge fan! I'm able to keep it with me at all times for when I get a burst of inspiration whilst out or at home.

Taking notes, word association and collecting things is proving to be a great method of generating ideas, I don't usually allow much of my thoughts to be shown in my sketchbooks but doing this is wonderful for me to develop and grow ideas that I otherwise would have loved and forgotten

[bethhardicreart]

Whilst getting ready for uni I had a sudden urge to photograph this rusty swamp in my yard. The object is an old wood burner that has been sat in my yard for years, and was eventually used by my mother's ex-fiance to hide his used larger cans in.

The mentioned ex-fiance had battled with alcoholism but eventually the addiction fought back and alcohol poisoning took over. The side effects of the poisoning are what ended his life, in hospital.

After his passing, we found various bottles hidden around the house but this was the last to be found. I didn't have a positive relationship with him but something made me leave the can where it was.

Today, the urge that took over me has spiralled into finding what I feel is my muse, from the rusty texture to the smell of decaying metal and moss.

This is exciting.

[bethhardicreart]

Studio Culture 2 brief has been selected, this semester I will be working on Abstraction + Materiality.

This is a very exciting brief that I can't wait to get started on! I'm hoping to play around with a lot of new processes

[bethhardicreart]

Late night thoughts

Sitting in my yard has been great for finding inspiration for my artwork and continues to surprise me with eye catching things that kick my brain into action.

Tonight, after a playful day in the studios with Angela, my mind has been turned to fibre textile art. This vibrant, retro towel hanging on the rotary washing line caught my eye and now I am considering using it to create a sculptural piece. Sitting in this environment late at night with a harsh light from above (yard wall light) gives me an intensely dreamy feel.

I will experiment in the studios with this idea in mind.

[bethhardicreart]

Abstraction and materiality workshop with Angela 25/02/19

Today I spent my morning attending Angela's workshop that explored the materiality of flexible fibres and textiles that we had previously been asked to bring in (fabric, yarn, felt, wire, string etc.).

We began by looking at some artists that work by pushing the limits of fabric to create giant sculptures and installations, the artists I found the most appealing include Anna Ray, Mrinalini Mukherjee and Ernesto Neto. Anna Ray's work enticed me as she plays with materials that almost encourage you to touch them, the works are huge, tactile pieces that involve lots of vibrant colours. Once the presentation was finished we were asked to get into groups of around 4 people to collaboratively create something using the items we had all brought in.

My group discussed our studio work so far to start generating ideas whilst selecting materials to work with, we decided on a clear array of colours and a lot of the materials were ones that I had brought in and so had an emotional connection to. One member of the group suggested we made balls out of the materials which we all loved the idea of, but when looking at the wool I suggested we make a combination of fabric balls and pom poms. Whilst making these we discussed ideas of how to display this and very quickly came to the decision of hanging them. I began experimenting with wool fibres to create the pom poms as I wanted to add a variety of texture to our work, this worked very well and ended up creating soft, fluffy-looking balls. To hang the work we got creative using a mixture of fabric strips, ribbon, guitar strings and yarn which, with help, was tied to the structure of the studio.

Overall we were all happy with the activity and the work produced, it was very helpful in pushing me to explore the properties of a material and play with that rather than being so structured and planned.

[bethhardicreart]

Remnants of an alcoholic

Acrylic paint, chalk and charcoal on paper

A first draft of an idea that came to me, inspired by the photographs of the rusted can. Each coloured circle represents a can of alcohol and the spiralling alcoholic episodes that frequently occurred in my household whilst my mother's ex partner was with us.

My plans going forward with this piece are to create a 4 x 2 foot stretched canvas in the ground floor workshop - I missed the tutorial workshop last semester but have researched best ways of making and stretching your own canvas where I now feel confident in attempting to make this. Once the canvas is ready I will recreate the painting on a much larger and thought out scale. My hope is to incorporate actual rust on the canvas which will more than likely decay the material in the long run, which I am hoping it will do.

I will experiment in methods for achieving my goal and log them as go.