Rollercoaster!

Gosh! What a hectic time I've had as I have come to the end of my studies! I am now the proud owner of a degree!! :) 

I've neglected my blog a little but I am back now to keep you updated about what I am up to!

Here are my final images photographed and ready for portfolio..

More Final work

FMP

These are my three finished 'flat' pieces that I am satisfied with but I feel do not have an edge like when I work three dimensionally.. I can't deal with the fact there's no depth and shadows (what is it with me and shadows!!!). I have colour coordinated them and considered several layouts, and they all relate to the fairy tale I chose. I suppose university is all about learning and I've certainly learnt a lot during this project with regards to what I am good at..and what I am not!

Here they are..

Caffeine, Redbull and Snickers!

O gosh! Where to start!! Getting my final work done has been a challenge to say the least! I have felt like i was having a creative block for a while and also frustrated as I was not executing my project in the way I wanted to. I've decided to pick myself up and soldier on and work with the bits I've made. I am happy with my outcomes, even though I am capable of a lot more (and I do not mean that in a big-headed way) I just feel I have not fulfilled what I dreampt of and this has been due to a number of factors, not for lack of effort. I have took the pressure off myself with redbull and chocolate and feel more relaxed! I think lack of confidence has stunted me a little, but I am overcoming this.

Well here is something I'm working on right now which needs arranging tomorrow ready for hand-in. If anything I've learnt I work much better hands on with tangible elements rather than flat, and from this experience I have learnt a lot about my own process and practice..I do not like working flat!!!! 

I have made a jar of fairy dust which I am going to label and put instructions on. Everything I have made is inspired by the story 'The Old Woman Who Lived in a Vinegar Bottle'. 

Keep on smiling!!! :)

Finals

current work

An image I've been working on today, quite pleased with it! Going to add hand rendered/hand cut type and a few other bits. After a few disastrous days with my project I'm starting to see light at the end of the tunnel! 

Added bit more colour, working on the type now!

Rainy Days

Page from my 'unfinished' children's book! 

Still working on this image at the moment. I'm currently creating combining drawing and collage (due to limited time and no available slots in the photography studio). It is very different from my usual paper cutting and photography, so I feel a bit rusty! I like a challenge so I will press on with it! 

Bits I'm currently working on!

An update on what I'm working on at the minute as I've not posted much of my work lately, been  preoccupied with other things!

Paper-cuts!

This week I have had an overwhelming urge to just cut paper!! It's great and my project's taking off which I am very happy about! 

Just wanted to show a few bits I have been doing for my Final Major Project and keep anyone who's interested updated, as I feel I have neglected my blog slightly lately due to keeping my facebook page and Twitter updated!

Anyway, here is what I have been doing, I hope you like!

Bookbinding workshop with Lucy Wilson

Today I took part in a book binding workshop with Lucy Wilson. Lucy has made some fantastic books, she pays close attention to detail which really adds quality. There were books with ribbons, big books, tiny books, all sorts, but the thing I liked about them the most was the stitching.

 Here is a collection of her books that she brought in to show us:

We started by choosing our paper and folding it in half, these were to be the cover and pages. We measured our card and pierced holes where we would be attaching the pages together. Once getting to grips with sewing my pages together it was fine, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Once the pages were all tightly bound together we added glue to the spine to reinforce it, and then put in on a book shelf under some heavy books until it had dried.

I have experimented with book binding for a previous project, but I had no idea on the stitching and I found it really helpful learning from Lucy. I would definitely try this in my spare time and hopefully get good at it! There are many other techniques which Lucy spoke about that I could try but I have a feeling it will take a lot of practice to become as good as her! 

Here's my finished book!

I'm so relieved to have my mojo back!! I am so excited about Final Major Project and am happy making again! Here's a little peek at what I am working on, I hope you like! 

Bug Project for The Manchester Museum

We recently visited The Manchester Museum and was briefed on our new project. The museum are holding an event on Saturday 28th January where our work will be on display and there will be activities for children to enjoy.

http://events.manchester.ac.uk/event/event:b1j-gv2iyhr3-dff5z1/

The brief was to illustrate bugs for children. We were asked to create an A2 poster correctly illustrating our chosen bug, for educational purposes. We were also asked to create an activity surrounding our chosen bug, other options were to create a book or 3D models.  

Before choosing which bug we wanted to illustrate, we were shown the museums amazing bug collection! I fell in love with the butterfly wings! ..But I wasn't keen on the spiders I have to say!

Below are some photo's I took.

Obviously my chosen insect was the butterfly! I chose to work using the same method I had adopted for other briefs. I found this brief challenging because we are trying to educate children and so the insects had to be atomically correct, which made me feel a little restricted. Also I was trying to show the life cycle of a butterfly, and so instead of cutting out a million butterflies and suspending them and photographing them..(which is what I would of loved to do!!)..I had to make sure I had things in the right place and it was starting to feel more like a diagram. However, I did my best and I have my poster!

For my activity I am creating butterfly masks that can be cut out, and decorated with bits n bobs such as sequins and other nice things! 

       

My book!!

My book is finally completed! I'm so excited to see it all made up!

 I used flock vinyl for my type and imagery, and I sat for hours sewing little tiny beads all around the edge of my cover..just to add a little something! The whole book is made by hand which I think gives it a certain quality and makes it unique. I added a sparkly gold ribbon as a finishing touch! 

My book will be exhibited at the Salford Zine Library at Salford Museum and Art Gallery. The exhibition starts 15th October and runs until 29th January 2012. Have at look at link for times and address! http://www.craigjohnbarr.co.uk/index.php?/salford-zine-library/