The pupil

So many wonderful things have happened to me in the last couple of weeks. Our "Materials -Industrialisation" project got under way and I was very excited about my idea of knitting some copper wire and then pinning it to a bit of fabric . Two hand embroidery work shops helped me change my mind.

The first one was with Alison Willoughby ,an extremely wonderful and whole textile designer who came to teach us how to hand embroider and interpret lines from our drawings. She loved my photos of Brooklands Hotel and gave me some good advice on keeping all my sewing lines clean and strong.
She was a wonderful and open person and I do hope that I am able to work with her one day.

So after this workshop the knitted copper became bashed copper with copper pins and some crushed silk.My knowledge of this is growing as is my confidence. The second workshop was with my course tutor Grainne who showed us the use of colour with a colour wheel. We used Gouche which I have not used for a
while since my jours francaises. It helped me break out of this black process I have with seeing things , I am quite pleased to say.

A wonderful Lecture by Ray         on Bel Geddes, was relevant to my research on my project. His vision of the future and how he was always organised and meticulous was inspiring.
As was a trip to the Fitzswilliam museum in Cambridge. I waqs taken aback by the exactitude of the architecture among the weavving bicycles.
The grandiose columns of the museum welcome you and for reason, some of the greats are housed there. I could not choose which room to paint in but decided to FOCUS and settled for the pre raphaelites which we studied in Contextual studies this term.

I am now hurtling towards my deadline and as I assemble my work I am aware of how far I have come and how much I know I can change next term. The sacrifices I have made to do this degree.

Bibelot

Found a word I liked many years ago when I lived in France - Bibelot! It means "tat" bought in poundshops. Not sure where I am going to go with this but thought I would put it down.

I spent most part of the afternoon in a workshop with our tutor Les, learning that our personal development plan is essential to our work. I feel I am on the right track but after some thought maybe i need to work on conclusions ie where are my questions and findings taking me

I liked the word "Hybrid " today. Pig and toothpaste = pig shaped toothpaste and bacon tasting toothpaste for dogs. I really loved doing this as idea brain storming is where I excel. My brain could go on for hours.... how about suspended shopping and Holograph mirrors so that you dont have to try the clothes on but see them on an image of you. Or no currency but pens to draw money with. You have to earn credits to buy the pens...

On the way home today,I noticed orange spray paint leaves on the pavement all the way down my street. I followed them and started wondering was it a treasure hunt or a trail like Hansel and Gretel. Was it a sos cry for help???. I think I prefer the treasure hunt idea.

I have finished my drawing and 100 word for my submission to "Oh Comely" magazine and am quite excited to see if my drawing gets published.

I am also looking at the use of colour and how our eye perceives colours. I am happy to learn that we have workshop on Friday....

Industrialisation/Manmade

New assignment at the beginning of the week . It looks interesting. We have to make observational drawings of the above subject and then source fabrics and materials and make the connection.

At the weekend, I was lucky enough to go to Surrey and visit friends. I think, what struck me, was how little I looked at everything before I came to Norwich... it makes me feel really emotional because it feels like I have been asleep for 38 years and have finally woken up.

Brooklands Museum and home to Mercedes World and test track, I have visited many a time and never looked at the landscapes and it struck me how the landscape awkwardly sits against the green and blue  skyline.
I was treated to breakfast at the Brooklands Hotel (never noticed before either!!!). The decor is sumptuous, opulent and true to the 1930's era of the Motor Sports hey day. When it was all the rage to be seen at these motor events.

I happily snapped away and sketched for 2 hours and feasted on the best Eggs Benedict I have ever tasted. These photos are going to be the base of my exploration into manmade materials for my project.
Bright modern lights against steel chrome propellors and smooth undulant lines gracing every corner of the hotel. Plush leather seats adorning all tables of red glass.
Height and grace were perfectly matched in this building and it was an absolute delight to be there.