grad604georgiamrickard - Tumblr blog

[grad604georgiamrickard]

[grad604georgiamrickard]

reflecting

Throughout this exploration of twenty elements that have influenced my creative journey, I've gained a deeper understanding of how my personal experiences and values have significantly shaped my creative process. I've realized that my work is a reflection of my faith, my connection to my family, and my appreciation for nature and art. These symbols and influences not only serve as the building blocks of my creativity but also represent the unique story I strive to tell through my work. This self-reflection has reinforced my belief in the power of these elements to connect with people and convey meaning in my art.

Throughout this journey, I've also found out how much I enjoy the physical side of art, the act of putting pen to paper. I love how my hand glides across the page, and the pen feels like an extension of me. It's a hands-on process I genuinely relish. That's why I added interactive flaps to my poster. They let people physically interact with my art, just like I do when I create. It's about sharing that tactile experience with others.

[grad604georgiamrickard]

Physicality of poster

this poster is not just a straight print out there is a Manuel process with it however it is easily replicated with only extra time added is cutting out. Because this is my poster I made everything the long way such as I printed out three a2 pieces of paper, hand cut and crafted every flap, hand glued every piece together and glued them onto the poster. I really enjoyed this physical process. if I were to mass produce this I would have easily printed the double sided version and got the flaps lazor cut as this is very simple to do but because the whole exploration process of me being a creator iOS physical I indulged every long labour intensive minute to this.

here are some close up photos of my physical poster, people interacting and connecting with it. I love the look of the clasps sticking up slightly to reveal there is more behind what you orginially see just as I imply with all of my symbolisms. it also adds a lot of fun and play to it this is why I made sure on the front poster view you can see little tiny specks of pink coming through

[grad604georgiamrickard]

planning

it took a lot of planning for the flaps, how I was going to do it, process in this. I made and saw an underlying grid which is highlighted in one of the images.

I chose the pinky peachy colour to be behind the flaps as a surprise pop of colour so planning to make sure the text would sit nicely, leaving room for glue,. matching the text colour as black on pink seemed too harsh, especially when all of the pink is outlined with white on the pops of colour.

[grad604georgiamrickard]

20 elements

Twenty elements

Within my creative journey, these twenty elements hold significance, encompassing aspects from artist models and symbols rooted in personal experiences, faith and connections. Each symbol reflects creativity, inspiration and values guiding my artistic process. Together, they form a diverse and rich pattern shaping my creative identity.

Bible: A treasured gift received during my baptism, my Bible is the foundation of my life, offering daily wisdom and inspiration. Its profound teachings shape my creative process, instilling purpose and passion, reminding me to create works that convey deep meanings and connect with people on a spiritual level.

Chicken: The humble chicken, introduced to me by my beloved Grandpa, ignited my creative journey. These childhood painting sessions remain etched in every chicken I draw, serving as a tribute to embracing one's unique style and celebrating the influence of mentors on one's artistic path.

Love: Love, an all-encompassing force that touches every facet of existence. A cornerstone of my faith, it motivates and guides my creativity, encouraging me to create art infused with passion and love for God, people, and the world. Love fuels the most meaningful aspects of my creative work.

Cowboy Hat: Cowboy hats, a recurring motif in artists who inspire me, evoke a sense of home and rural roots. These symbols connect me to a bygone era of family history, a reminder of where I come from and the values that shape my creative process.

Fruit Tree: Inspired by scripture, the concept of a tree and its fruit symbolizes the significance of the heart's intentions. It serves as a constant reminder to create with purpose, to convey deep meanings through my work, and to nurture the creative process with positive intentions and values.

Pot/Vase: Shane Cotton's perspective on pots as vessels of care and growth resonates with my creative journey. These symbols represent my quest to find a sense of place in the creative world, mirroring the importance of discovering one's creative identity and connection to the artistic landscape.

Fire: A profound symbol, both biblical and reminiscent of my teenage years, fire embodies passion and transformation. As gold is purified by fire, the trials of life refine my creativity, igniting the creative process. It represents the dynamic and powerful nature of creativity and the flame within me.

T-Rex: A reference to the iconic Jean-Michel Basquiat, who deeply inspires my creative practices. This symbolizes my connection to his profound artistry and the lasting impact of his work on my creative journey. It reflects a shared artistic spirit and the desire to push creative boundaries.

Monkey: Inspired by the curiosity of Curious George, this symbol represents my unquenchable thirst for exploration and knowledge, a crucial aspect of my creative process. It's a playful reminder to stay curious and never stop seeking inspiration and understanding in the world.

People: People, the essence of life and the cornerstone of my values. Guided by the command to love one's neighbor, this symbol signifies the importance of human connection and community in my creative work. It encourages art that resonates with people and conveys universal human experiences.

Communion: A sacred symbol, integral to my faith, serving as a reminder of Christ's sacrifice and our connection to God. This element profoundly influences my work, emphasizing the importance of reflection, remembrance, and the spiritual depth within my creativity. It conveys the significance of faith in my art.

Coffee: A cherished family tradition, a symbol of connection, and a catalyst for meaningful conversations. The shared moments over coffee inspire my creativity, fostering connections with others and encouraging creative discussions. It represents the warm and invigorating nature of creative conversations.

Flowers: Blossoms symbolize reaping what one sows, embodying life lessons from both scripture and the beauty of nature. Their presence reflects my values and creative expression, conveying deep meaning, hope, and faith in my work. Flowers serve as a testament to the beauty and purpose of creativity.

Family: My family, my unwavering support system, and the source of guidance and love. They influence my life journey, fostering creativity through shared experiences, laughter, and the bond that only family can provide. Family is the enduring wellspring of inspiration and values that shape my art.

Church: A place of spiritual growth, community, and worship. This symbolizes my sense of belonging and spiritual connection, guiding my values and shaping my creative process. It serves as a reminder of the importance of faith, community, and shared spiritual experiences in my work.

Heart Face: A series of artworks that ignite my creativity and passion. This symbolizes my journey toward becoming an artist and creating a studio, inspiring me to pursue my creative dreams and express my unique identity. It embodies my artistic aspirations and the passionate pursuit of creative goals.

Sun: The sun, symbolizing warmth, new beginnings, and childlike wonder. It reflects the artistic choice of warm colors in my work and connects to the childlike themes that inspire my creative process. It's also a nod to the beginnings of my creative journey when I would draw suns in the corner of my page as a child.

Nature: Trees, timeless symbols of growth and change, are deeply rooted in scripture. They inspire my creativity, symbolizing the cycles of life and the enduring nature of creative processes. Nature's resilience serves as a reminder of the importance of staying grounded while adapting and flourishing.

Cactus: Nature's resilient wonder, cacti symbolize endurance and growth in extreme circumstances. The prickly exterior represents the challenges of life and the ability to thrive despite adversity, offering inspiration to persist in the face of creative challenges. Cacti embody the tenacity and adaptability required in the creative process.

Horses: A symbol of life's unpredictability and wild experiences, drawing from a quote by an artist who inspires me. Horses connect to rural themes and represent the ups and downs of the creative journey. They convey the importance of embracing the unpredictable and remaining in control while navigating creative endeavors.

[grad604georgiamrickard]

finalising

finally after trying to craft may symbols and elements I have cerated the perfect alignment for my poster, showing a mixture of hierarchy and paying homage to my artist models with spiratic spaghetti brain random play of drawings. I love the chaos into order as this is how I think and create as a lot of other artists do also.

[grad604georgiamrickard]

Flaps

I came up with an idea that beautiufully contrasts the black and white and brings colour and complements my whole physical process of this poster - the flaps

This was a brilliant idea also paying respects to the a physical process and c Billikens themes going on on my poster flaps in kids books. this engages the audience as well as the creator

here is a practice version of flaps, I like the 3d dimension to it and because I really struggle with words and have been told by a lecturer I am the worst writer they have seen this is a good way of showing myself as a creative by showing what I am trying to say then digging keeping to uncover the meaning written on the back.

[grad604georgiamrickard]

colour

thinking about colour for my poster stumped me, I was falling in love with the black and white, I 50/50 work in colour and black and white because a lot of the time I do just created doodles with a black pen on white paper but I do love colour. I love working in warm tones I see this connection between my artist models work and also my own. I notice a lot of browny pinks within my artist models work. Because a lot of my artist models are working in colour only I feel like I need to explore this road.

I found working in black and white rather than colour physically was more helpful as scanning picks up the contrast better and doesn’t cause any issues with colour changes. By keeping in black and white and digitally changing the colour it keeps the texture noticeable which is important to me.

Looking at all of these together I really loved the black and white one still as it has the most oomph. I then tried to choose a colour favourite and it was the pink brown one. I always seem to go towards this colour connecting to my artist models using this in their work.

I asked a lot of people around me designers and far from it and they all liked the black and white one as it stands out the most, a lot of the colour ones start to get lost.

I thought I need to add colour in somehow, I started to draw digitally on the poster but it looks awful especially as this has to also be a digital hand- in the colour should just not stick.

I came up with an idea that beautiufully contrasts the black and white and brings colour and complements my whole physical process of this poster - the flaps

[grad604georgiamrickard]

Texture

while developing this poster I have found the love of the texture the camera picks up from my pastel marks. , here are multiple explorations of me creating many versions of my symbols, exploring the texture, contrast with my notes app. This process has helped me realise my love for tangible creativity. When creating these I went to Bunnings and brought builders paper and drew all over it with my oil pastel pens. This was really helpful giving me space to literally sit within my drawings on the floor. My room and hallway was filled with this paper and it wasn’t only my hand connecting with the page but my whole body as I felt like I was with the paper as it is so large. all of these above are scanned on builders paper.

[grad604georgiamrickard]

poster progress,

my poster progress image creation developed when coming to class and quickly mocking up a few ways of laying out my 20 element doodles exploring balance, white space and grids.

[grad604georgiamrickard]

Poster progress

You can see in earlier posts I have a large collection of art I have created, I have looked at some more of the doodle-style art that I see coming up and here are a few I was inspired by creating this poster.

Based on those drawings I created a piece using a new white oil stick pen I got to explore some symbols of meaning for me

[grad604georgiamrickard]

CONNECTION| AGI AND MY WORK

Connection to design research

A lot of what these designers talked about related to the creative, community and creation. A lot of what I enjoyed listening to was the why behind the work, what people live by and what they express through their work, what matters to them and this is what we are doing in class. It matters to me that we help make this world a better place and connect with people along the way and this was spoken a lot about at AGI. I will paste some points that are worth highlighting below.

Helpful essay writing quotes

creativity is connecting ideas and then connecting with people.

Create joy in other peoples lives through design. Have a hungry spirit, thinking hands and human enhancement. Creativity stems from our heads and technology takes away. We often hold our head in high regard and despise the body but we need to respect the body in the creative process.

' White is the colour of imagination, everything and nothing, a place to draw inspiration from and start afresh'.

Good design includes function and laughter

it's not about exhibitions or achievements, it's about the journey and the relationship of pen to paper, time and existence. Ask 'who am I?' 'What is my image?

Have the love for drawing first, it is the first language, typography is a drawing".

Create the space to play and the result for people to enjoy themselves its awesome if you can make a story out of it.

People love drawing and feel connected - involve people for connection.

Stefan seigmaster

I think he was my favourite as he has a bigger picture with his art. He is trying to make the world a better place remind people of the good and bring awareness to important changes that need to be made. He has worked very hard at the beginning of his career and now can do his passions and what he wants and not have to worry about making an income as it comes - this is the point I would love to get to so I can also give away free art that spread joy and awareness. I see philanthropic themes and activism in his work and speech.

Stanely Wong

I really enjoyed stanelys talk, I liked how he views his work and its an expression of his seasons and whats he's learned. He is also influenced by his moral compass and by being busdist as I relate to this also with my faith. He works on projects aligning with his values, culture and spirit. Every project he creates there is a key value at play.

[grad604georgiamrickard]

AGI

I got the privilege to go to AGI. It was such an incredible event to go to, I gained a wealth of knowledge. here are some snippets of what i learned that can be applied to life and design!

Taku Satoh

"Hodo Hodo" means just enough, having simplicity and special consideration. About knowing when to stop, not overdoing it to let other elements shine. Taku was one of my favourite speakers he was concise and to the point and I loved this line above.

Astrid Stavro

keep learning by asking questions and being curious. Don't take the money but do what you love. Challenges are opportunities in disguise. Mistakes lead to unexpected places. Never stop learning. Do work that's true to your heart, embrace the uncertainty, and leap before you look. Curiosity is the engine and doubt is the catalyst.

' if you feel safe in the area your working your not working in the right area. Always go a little bit further in the water than you feel your capable of being in. Go a little bit out of your depth and when you don't feel your feet are quite touching the bottom your just about in the place to do something exciting'

Irene Pereyra

Doing things different is better than doing the same. Sell something new make it familiar, sell something familiar make it surprising. Its important to spend time on projects you love as this will continue the passion ( set aside 10% to do your fun things).

Henrik Kubel

Have a very clear brief

Paul Garbett

Create and bring something into existence, we create what we observe. Pay intention without paying attention. creativity is connecting ideas and then connecting with people.

Dean Poole

He makes meaning of every single detail and connects it with his customers. Design can just be about people and place a way to sell stories rather than sell. don't overthink design just do it.

Ahn sang Soo

Create joy in other peoples lives through design. Have a hungry spirit, thinking hands and human enhancement. Creativity stems from our heads and technology takes away. We often hold our head in high regard and despise the body but we need to respect the boy in the creative process. Play with creativity that comes from pleasure impulse.

Pauler Scher

Create seasons and series instead of individual work- create a system out of things that seem iratic. Create a design that's fast, loose, dangerous and fun! For everything you do create systems and brand manuals. Find something you like and take the opportunity and go for it.

Stefan Siegmeister FAVOURITE SPEAKER

A lot of his work comes from living in Rome and having dinners with other artists. As a communication designer, you must be aware of what's going on in the world. Look at the problems this world has of doom and gloom and do something to help. Every positive outcome will have negative side effects and we have to work on them this is just a reality. Every idea has a dozen to make a series. It doesn't matter if you are an artist or designer it matters if you speak and communicate - he gives deep reasoning behind his work and wants to connect with people. He uses random things he's passionate about such as coffee ( he has 13 cups a day). His slogan and mission statement is 'Now is better' Look back and see how far you've grown and how far we have grown as a world. With things that could be a big obstacle, he uses it to his advantage. He encourages art to be a conversation starter. For people who cannot afford art, he created a giant poster notepad and they could rip it off and take one home for free. He isn't out to get but to give back and make the world a better place. 90% of people 200 years ago lived in extreme poverty look where we are today, always look at the glass half full, and look at the long-term picture - it's about your perspective. The world can be improved. Now is better.

Lars Muller

Ensure consistency and structure in your work with grids, books are objects so consider all aspects such as size, weight, and texture. I loved this quote ' White is the colour of imagination, everything and nothing, a place to draw inspiration from and start afresh'. Think outside the box and look at other materials you wouldn't usually consider (concrete-covered book). Don't be afraid of colour.

Ya-Leng Yu

If you ditch tradition or history you can't relate but if you cling young people can't embrace it. The new encompasses the old. Use aspects of the product (roof shape) as inspiration to create a contemporary approach to relate and connect to history in a new way. Collaboration is at the heart of design.

Panel

have a cretain amount of time to do your passion projects and play (15% is good! - as a student it should be 100%). Designers don't retire. Do projects that make you look at the world different.

Kenya Hara

make things unknown and think outside of the box. Have the art of simplicity. Good design includes function and laughter. Respect the nature and land in your work.

Stanely Wong

it's not about exhibitions or achievements, it's about the journey and the relationship of pen to paper, time and existence. Ask 'who am I?' 'What is my image?'. He is a Buddhist and a lot of what he does stems from this but he is not invasive with it. He works on projects aligning with his values, culture and spirit. Every project he creates there is a key value at play. He encourages to make a poster a week and make a personal project 80/20 rule. He tries something new when he enters a new season of life. his seasons are based on what he learns. Passionately curious creativity is values and time and your past.

Ariane Spanier

Confront the unknowns head-on, and embrace it it is our job. There are known knowns, known unknowns, unknown knowns and unknown unknowns. make decisions, start with what you have or you'll run out of time. Try for impact. Quote I love ' Have the love for drawing first, it is the first language, typography is a drawing". Create the space to play and the result for people to enjoy themselves its awesome if you can make a story out of it. People love drawing and feel connected - involve people for connection. Uncertainty can open the crack in the wall which you can emerge. use the uncomfortable feeling as a compass - leave the last known behind you and find the new unknown.

[grad604georgiamrickard]

CROSSOVERS OF SYMBOLISM ART MOVEMENT AND OIL PASTELS

Connections :

While oil pastels and the Symbolism art movement are distinct in their own right, there are some potential connections between them, particularly in terms of artistic expression and the use of symbolism to convey deeper meanings. 

Here are a few possible crossovers or connections:

Symbolism in Oil Pastel Art: Artists who work with oil pastels can incorporate symbolic elements into their creations. Just as Symbolist painters used symbols to convey psychological truths and explore deeper emotions, oil pastel artists can use symbols to infuse their artwork with hidden meanings or personal narratives. For example, they might use specific colors, objects, or imagery to represent abstract concepts or emotions.

Emphasis on Subjectivity: Both Symbolism and oil pastel art often prioritize subjectivity over objective representation. Symbolist artists aimed to express their inner thoughts and emotions, while oil pastel artists can use the medium to create highly subjective and personal works that reflect their own perspectives and feelings.

Exploration of Inner Worlds: Symbolism delved into the inner world of thoughts, dreams, and the subconscious. Oil pastel artists, too, can use the medium to explore their inner landscapes, creating artwork that represents their inner thoughts, fantasies, or spiritual experiences.

Mood and Emotion: Symbolism often conveyed mood and emotion through symbolism and color. Oil pastels, known for their rich and vibrant colors, can be used to evoke strong emotions and create a particular mood in the artwork.

Synesthetic Experiences: Some Symbolist artists aimed to create synesthetic experiences, where one sensory perception, such as music, could be translated into visual art. Oil pastel artists might experiment with similar concepts, using color and form to evoke the sensation of music or other sensory experiences.

While these connections are possible, it's important to note that oil pastels and Symbolism are distinct forms of artistic expression with their own techniques, histories, and characteristics. Artists who work with oil pastels may draw inspiration from various art movements, including Symbolism, but they also have the freedom to develop their own unique styles and approaches. The crossover between the two lies in the potential for artists to use oil pastels as a means of expressing symbolic or deeply personal content.

[grad604georgiamrickard]

CONNECTION |ME AS A CREATIVE TO SYMBOLISM

Connections on why symbolism

Connection of oil pastels and symbolism?

Why symbolism

Majority of my artist models include symbols of oil pastels in their work. I love symbols trying to figure out the meaning/significance. I love how symbols don’t require words or numbers but they are just imagery. I am a visual person and I Really struggle with analyising, words, writing I always have at school and through uni ( I actually got told by a teacher I was the worst writer they’d ever seen in there entire life lol) . I work and think visually. I am drawn to symbols as this is the language I think, read and work in. This comes from the way im wired, a creative brain, very imaginative, very creative. I don’t process thoughts through words but vivid image based and externally processing rather than internally processing, I often externally process through drawing and speaking out words. I think this also comes through story telling! (Bit of an external process right here) Story telling is like an unfolding story creating an image movie in my brain and I love creating stories with symbols on paper/canvas. 

[grad604georgiamrickard]

SYMBOLISM QUOTES

Research on symbolism: 

(TheArtStory Contributors. (n.d.). Symbolism Movement Overview. TheArtStory. Retrieved from https://www.theartstory.org/movement/symbolism/)

"In this art, scenes from nature, human activities, and all other real world phenomena will not be described for their own sake; here, they are perceptible surfaces created to represent their esoteric affinities with the primordial Ideals."

1 of 3

"In this art, scenes from nature, human activities, and all other real world phenomena will not be described for their own sake; here, they are perceptible surfaces created to represent their esoteric affinities with the primordial Ideals."

1 of 3

Quote Saying, "I paint ideas, not things," George Frederick Watts became a leading Symbolist. He said his allegorical Hope (1886) was meant, "to suggest great thoughts which will speak to the imagination and the heart."

[grad604georgiamrickard]

RESEARCH | SYMBOLISM MOVEMNET

Paraphrased summary from - TheArtStory Contributors. (n.d.). Symbolism Movement Overview. TheArtStory. Retrieved from https://www.theartstory.org/movement/symbolism/

Symbolism was both an artistic and literary movement that emphasized the use of symbols to convey ideas and focused on the meaning behind forms, lines, shapes, and colors. It sought to express psychological truths and the notion that beneath the physical world existed a spiritual reality. Symbolism prioritized emotions, feelings, ideas, and subjectivity over realism, making the works personal and reflective of the artists' beliefs, particularly in their ability to reveal truth.

Symbolists often blended religious mysticism, the perverse, the erotic, and the decadent in their subject matter. Instead of employing direct, one-to-one symbolism, they aimed for subtlety and suggestion, incorporating personal, half-stated, and obscure references.

This artistic movement bridged the gap between Romanticism in the 19th century and modernism in the 20th century. Symbolism had an international influence that challenged the conventional trajectory of art development, which was thought to have moved from Impressionism through Cubism.

Key artists associated with Symbolism include Paul Gauguin, James Whistler, Gustave Moreau, and Odilon Redon, among others. Symbolism was characterized by its departure from external reality, exploring the inner world of thoughts, emotions, and events. It emerged in response to the moral, social, religious, and intellectual uncertainties of the time and often incorporated themes related to mysticism, the occult, the dream world, melancholy, evil, and death.

The movement reflected a desire to escape the prevailing materialism and rationalism, offering an alternative perspective that placed a strong emphasis on the spiritual and the subconscious. Symbolism also had connections to other art movements like Synthetism and Art Nouveau and was marked by its interest in incorporating elements of music and creating new sensory experiences.

In essence, Symbolism was a multidimensional artistic and intellectual movement that delved into the depths of human consciousness and offered a different way of perceiving and expressing reality. It provided artists with a means to explore the profound and often mysterious aspects of human existence through the medium of art.