Bringing my ideas full circle is interesting as I've explored many avenues of the topic of nature, going from drawing cacti at Kew Gardens to developing 2D prints, exploring more textures through stitch and developing 3 dimensional shapes to working on the body. Its rewarding to see my ideas develop naturally and be able to express and combine aspects of nature with man made gardens, architecture, and the Covid-19 pandemic which has affected us and this project so much. 

Although I don't have one particular final piece that I've spent weeks working towards, I do feel that I have brought my ideas to a conclusion through many outcomes resulting in lots of different samples. I am confident that I've explored many different ideas and contextualised them in different ways through fashion on the body and as interiors as well. I think for this project it was important to me to explore a range of techniques and keep pushing my ideas. I feel if I spent too much time focusing on creating on a larger scale or multiple of the same outcome using the same technique it would of been a waste of time that I could spend further developing new ideas. 

An aim of this project was to showcase different skills and push myself as a designer which I feel I've done. I've learnt many new skills during this project and stepped out of my comfort zone in ways I didn't expect to but with the challenge of coronavirus and having to work from home without as much guidance or facilities I'd of had on campus I've definitely developed a lot more independence within my practice. Having to step back and look at my work, reevaluate ideas, know when to stop and move on and lead myself through this project has been incredibly beneficial for me as a textile student. I've also got to learn a lot about nature and coming home back to Devon and be surrounded by nature again definitely helped push and shape this project. Having a garden and being able to roam free within nature here has inspired me and motivated me to keep going during this strange time of isolation. Having classmates on FaceTime to compare work and brainstorm new ideas was also important during isolation as I struggled at times with getting stuck or struggling to push my creativity at times. Talking to peers helped that a lot and is what I'd be doing in the studio if it weren't for the current situation. 

Contained was one of the words which sprung to mind when I was thinking about man made gardens, the idea of plants being contained within a manmade structure for the pleasure of humans.

Contained is also a significant word when talking about the current world issue of Covid-19. 6 weeks ago we were hearing the Government talk about 'containing' the virus, finding people who'd caught it and isolating those and those who'd come into contact with the virus to prevent the spread. The contrast to this is our current situations weeks later where the public have been forced into a lockdown as the virus has spread so much to a point where we can no longer contain it. the safest thing to do is keep people inside to slow the spread of the virus. If people are inside and not out and about at work or on public transport the transmission of the virus from person to person is significantly lowered. This takes pressure off of the NHS and prevents many avoidable deaths.

Most people would agree that we all feel contained inside our houses. We no longer have the freedom we used to have to be able to go outside and see friends, people are only allowed out once a day for a walk or to go to the shops to get food. I was exploring this idea visually by using a knitted sample behind my monoprinted cell structure which originally reminded me of the shape of the walkie talkie. The knitted sample is pouring out the the structure which symbolises people in their homes, contained but roaming freely within their house. The hole that is the cell shape acts as a window to that (the knit). This is an interesting idea and since I have a lot of samples with hole shapes in them I am going to experiment with this idea further this week. 

Today I started working on a drawing on the barbican centre digitally on my iPad. I used this drawing to create prints by cutting them into the cell shapes. This to me was the most logical way of combining the ideas of architecture of the 'man made garden' with the natural cell patterns I've developed. These experiments turned out well and I created a series of prints which I then edited and contextualised as wall papers. These prints are all very vibrant and loud but my aim was mainly to experiment with colour and shape to express my ideas. I'm really happy with how these images turned out. 

Today I decided to focus on more architectural shapes and followed my tutors advice to change the circular / oval cell shapes into squares with straighter lines. The process for making this was monoprinting the squares onto natural dyed fabric (tumeric), I stitched net and organza under the sample so that when I cut holes through the stitched squares it would leave an opaque shiny layer instead of going straight through. I’m happy with this sample although it looks very similar to the circular shaped samples I’ve made previously it just uses a more linear shape. I need to work on where I’m taking my ideas moving forward as I don’t want to create such similar looking samples and take a leap as my tutor said. I was thinking of maybe turning these square shapes into large cardboard cut outs and try different placement to experiment.

Today I wanted to explore some more human and architectural structures. After speaking with my tutor over email I’ve come to the conclusion I need to try to bring in human man made lines in combination with the natural cell shapes. I started by using old mono prints to collage and create architectural structures with in my sketchbook. While doing this I was reflecting on the images and video from Italy of people singing from their balconies whilst in lockdown. Due to the Coronavirus majority of people are being forced into their homes and to stay inside, myself included. Many people are spending time in the houses they’ve built and work so hard to built and maintain. A home should be somewhere we enjoy, a place of comfort and safety. I was thinking about the tall buildings along streets in Paris and Italy as well as my favourite houses in Notting hill. I decided to monoprint these buildings on different coloured pieces of paper. They are messy and quick but I like this affect, I was focusing on getting the shapes down over accuracy and detail. This reminded me of some of the collages I did for a previous project where we had to focus on an area of London. I focused on Camberwell and the old Georgian houses. Due to the Coronavirus I’ve had to move back to Devon and I find myself missing London a lot as it’s where I call home and spend the majority of my time. These drawings reflect that. I’m going to collage with these with different papers and news headlines as well on my iPad including drawings and maybe the fashion illustrations I’ve created.

A collage I made on my iPad using the mrnoprinted houses. Includes some of my fashion illustrations.

Today I worked on another 3D cell which I started yesterday. I completed the cell today by finishing the embroidery and stuffing. I took a couple of pictures of the cell amongst some cacti plants since it was inspired by the cacti cells themselves. I’m really happy with this outcome and have started making a larger cell with white fabric and a different colour scheme. I want to make a couple for a final collection. My plan after the FMP is finished is to make these to sell during lockdown. Each would be one of a kind and full of personality. I see them as unique abstract shapex toys or cushions. The feedback I received from friends and peers are that the sample is cute and personable with a unique design which stands out. This makes me really happy as I feel I’ve come to this technique and pattern through hard work and natural idea evolution.

Today I worked on updating my workflow from yesterday’s work and creating a fashion illustration using my print. I spent the evening last night creating prints using the cell shapes on my iPad. I played with different colours. I also produced a workflow / idea progression style diagram which show how my ideas have naturally evolved over the last two weeks from knitted samples to prints to textured samples. I think this is very effective at showing my work flow and progression of my ideas and creative process. It can be seen on the research page of my workflow.

I contextualised by creating a fashion illustration how I’d imagine the print on a blazer. I also contextualised the print as a wall paper in a children’s bedroom. I’m happy with how these prints have turned out. The fashion illustration is very literal but I knew what I was trying to illustrate. I’d like to play around with some more expressive illustrations using this print and these shapes. Working on my iPad is great as I can play around with layout and change the colours effortlessly.

Today I wanted to focus on how I can incorporate stitch with my printed samples. I discovered I could use the stitch found on the underside of a sample when flipping it upside down and sew on the sewing machine that way. I used this technique to create this sample:

A sample I made by stitching on the sewing machine with the sample flipped upside down. I stitched around the black outline of the cells on the sample which I’d monoprinted using the drawing on the back technique. The sewing machine left loose messy stitches on the bottom which I really liked as they framed the cell naturally giving an unruly affect. This gave the sample more depth. I cut out holes where the cell was so where the cell was was exposed. I am really happy with this sample and can see these ideas developing further onto the body or 3 dimensional samples. 

This is how I descovered that the underside of the stitch in the sewing machine is much more interesting. It’s thicker and more full, the stitches are messy and tangled which I really like.

Cutting out the holes was difficult as I didn’t want to disturb the stitching. This was hard as a lot of the loops were larger so I had to precisely cut pulling back the stitches so I didn’t cut them too much. As time went on I found the best way to cut was to stab the middle of the hole then cut an X. From there I’d cut each quarter of the fabric until the entire hole was exposed.

I also embellished this sample by stitching. this was by sewing with the sample faced up as you normally would. Interestingly enough it was this sample that I saw the tufts more. this prompted me to try this on the yellow sample.

I also experimented with stitching on these smaller paper samples. 

Part 3 tutorial

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic our tutorials took place digitally. I sent my tutor my action plan, feedback form and a video where I talked through my sketchbook and my current ideas. Here is my feedback from my tutorial. I’m really happy with the feedback Katie has given me as it’s encouraging that I’m working in the right direction. Her ideas are interesting and definitely something I would like to explore especially the idea of dying fabric to create this architectural print. I’m going to research further into shibori.

After speaking with Shane and sicgmone they highlighted to me that I need more drawings to illustrate my ideas more. We also came up with some ideas where I can encorporate ideas from earlier on in the project such as the relationship between humans and nature and working that in within my work. There are two different paths of this and I can look at both. One is the positive relationship where humans work with nature and work to better it and help instead of harm. The other is the negative which is humans vs nature where we destroy nature for human gain. Also things such as natural disasters and the Coronavirus which is a natural spread onto humans. to pottery these ideas I could use different imagery within my prints and use ideas of constraint over constructed textiles or the idea of growth together weaving the two in combination. Another idea I had was inspired by an image I took at Kew in one of the conservatories. Here you can see the nature within a man made architectural structure which is the conservatory. I would like to print these man made lines below my printing. Today I focused on working with collage to display this idea in my sketchbook so that the narrative flows better and you can see how my ideas progress within my sketchbook.

Human working with nature in a man made structure, Kew Gardens.

Beginning to draw man made structures and combining with collage.

I am going to go to the library to find some books on architecture which may contain some drawings I could use to print on.

Today we got the opportunity to learn some knew knitting skills with Francis. We learnt how to create button holes and knit stitches. This was useful to me as I’ve been looking at cactus cells and I noticed I could use these stitching techniques to create a similar mesh pattern. I would like to develop these further to imitate the cactus cells. Possibly by stretching them on an embroidery hoop to expose the cellular patterns. I also had the idea of using these to create a pattern for a print by screen printing the knit. I would have to work out a way to stretch it out enough so that it covered the screen. Before creating the knit I created a drawing of some cactus cells. I’ve scanned this drawing in and inverted it so I can expose it onto a screen.

Today I went to the future of fungi exhibition at Somerset House. I thought this would be an interesting exhibition to see as it contains patterns found in nature from fungi as well as forms. There were a couple of artists that stuck out to me such as Laurence Owens ceramic pieces which mimic the spores of fungi. Another was P.A.M’s rug which displayed mushroom shapes. The exhibition highlighted the importance of fungi to all life forms and how other life wouldn’t survive without this unique natural group of specimen.

Today we looked at each others workflows and analysed what resources we want to take forward. Mine were the prickly pear cactus which I plan to use for a screen print design. The doors and patterns in one of the flowers I took a picture of at the Barbican centre. ‘Li - Dynamic Form in Nature’ as the patterns in this book inspire me for prints.

Today we had a research based workshop with sicgmone where we learnt how to use collage to tell a story and how we can change the narrative of our stories with the change of a word or image. This workshop was useful and displayed the idea that we can change the narrative of our stories with small changes. I also spoke with Katie and she helped me decipher what exactly I’m pursuing moving forward as I feel like I was getting stuck in the research phase and not pursuing a particular route in the topic of patterns and forms. I’m going to create some stencils on black card which I will be exposing into a screen and using to screen print. I think I need to continue with research through out the project but now I’m at the point where I can begin making and experimenting with different printing techniques to produce samples.

Today I went to the Vivian Suter exhibition at the Camden arts centre this morning. This exhibition is made up of works Sutter created until a rainstorm in 2005 flooded her studio which ‘ruined’ her pieces. Suter decided to work in conjunction with nature and embrace the natural role that nature took in shaping her work. The exhibition was exciting to see as a textiles student as it uses bright colours and shapes resembling forms that could be developed into prints. Although these works are paintings alone I could take influence from these painting to create prints

Today I went to Kew Gardens for a research trip. This trip was very successful and I had an amazing time. Kew Gardens has the largest collection of plants in the UK and there was so much to see in terms of plant diversity and patterns I could find. I took my camera and sketch book capturing images of patterns and plants I found interesting. I went to the orchid exhibition where I saw a saturated blue rare Indonesian orchid which I made sure to take pictures of. At the orchid exhibition there was many different orchids and flowers. Before I hadn’t considered flowers so much as I was more focused on leaf vascular patterns and patterns seen on leaves but the colour of the flowers was eye catching so I’ve included this in my research as it may inspire my colour pallet later down the line. At the orchid exhibition I found a spot to sit where there were some cactus plants where I sketched. There was on that interested me due to its shape and formation. It’s built up of oval shaped disks stacked on top of eachother which hold an unusual what would seem as unstable shape but holds itself together well.

Indonesian Orchid

I went to the palm house where there were many tropical plants similar to rainforest plants. There was a walk way at the top of the conservatory which you could go up to and view the conservatory from above. This reminded me of being above the canopy level in a tropical rainforest. The environment was humid and hot even my glasses and camera lense fogged up as I went in. This house at Kew was great to see huge leaves and widespread jungle plants.

Palm house

Following the palm house I visited the temperate house which had plants found in a temperate climate. Here there were more smaller plants with smaller leaves.

Temperate House

I also went to the Australian section and did some sketches of a plant with hard waxy long leaves branching off in different directions. I looked at the shadows this plant cast on the page as well.I

I walked all around the grounds of Kew, went up the tree top walk way where I got a view of the park and some of the London skyline, this view I imagine would be better in spring or summer where you were above leaves and not twigs.

I also went to the Shirley sherwood collection botanical illustration exhibition while I was there. Here I saw a large variety of botanical illustrations, I could see the detail of the plants in these drawings and paintings which was interesting to see the ‘Li’ the drawings were capturing.

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Shirley Sherwood Collection

This trip was probably the most beneficial to my research as I got the most research done and had a lot of time to reflect on my findings and think about my project while I walked around. The gardens displayed many forms of Li, from plants, leaves, flowers, trees, vines to fish. There were countless examples of patterns I could be using within this project and the whole day stimulated my thinking for this project and has given me the research needed to drive my ideas forward. I will definitely be returning to Kew I’m the spring or summer when the rather is warmer.

Today we had a mono printing workshop with Esther, Here are some of my prints using paper stencils for esthers monoprinting workshop. We used the same technique as previous monoprinting workshops but we introduced colour and paper stencils. I created a stencil in the shape of one of the cacti I drew at Kew Gardens yesterday. I really like the shape this cactus takes as it’s formed of oval shapes stacked on top of eachother. I experimented with hand printing by applying pressure with my hands as well as printing using the roller press which creates more clean cut sharp prints. I would like to work on to these prints by drawing as well as possibly using stitch to create the spikes and bring the image to life more.

This Sunday I decided to head to the Barbican centre conservatory to continue my drawing research. Last week I went to the sky garden where I began my research. I felt that the sky garden was quite man made and didn’t have the huge variety of different plants I was looking for. This makes sense as it’s a man made garden curated for aesthetics. The Barbican centre however had a larger variety of plants and flowers especially cacti. I brought my camera with me so I could capture some higher quality and macro pictures of the plants. I also found places to sit and draw from life. Taking pictures was valuable because they serve as research themselves and I can draw from them later. When taking pictures I focused in on plants where I could see ‘Li’ and took macro shots of these. I also wanted to capture images of other forms such as whole leaves.

I spent today in the studio working on my sketchbook whilst furthering my research. I used today’s studio day to continue drawing from my images of plants at the sky garden and make sure I was making the links that are in my head between the plants I’d seen and the book ‘Li’ on paper so that my ideas are clear. I did some research on ferns as well as leaf vascular pattern formation. My ideas so far are developing and I’m beginning to have ideas of how I could represent patterms through texture and print either by embroidery or different materials such as using bubble wrap as spores seen on the underside of a fern. I’m conscious that I’m still very early on in the research days and want to continue researching and learning before I begin making, but it’s good to get drawings of my ideas down and to record ideas on work flow.

Something I would like to experiment with in the future is printing with bubbles. I could do this by using water, washing up liquid and ink. I could use paper to capture the bubble marks. I would also like to print with ferns and see if I can capture the spore markings in the ink.

I spent today in the studio where I had my group tutorial. We each spoke for around 10 minutes about our projects and received feedback from the rest of our group. This was helpful as I got ideas from other students as well as the tutors. Kevin gave me some references which combined the two human and nature.

Renora one of the tutors gave me the idea about how these city conservatories such as the sky garden and the Barbican centre are human made gardens much like many of the parks in London where human intervention has created ponds planted trees etc. This is another interesting link between humans and nature and the need for nature in the city.

Shane also gave me the idea of researching further into the communication of trees called mycorrhiza. I’m certain this will crop up in the book they hidden life of trees’ which I’m planning to read as a part of my research.

Going through the mark scheme and learning objectives in tutor groups was beneficial as it made us read through all the criteria we need to include for our project to be successful. Lots of it was the same throughout but the main lesson I took from this was the importance of documentation of all my work and the importance of recording all my ideas. We also need to make sure the work is relevant throughout and the techniques we’ve chosen have been thought about and chosen specifically or adapted for that idea.