Short Update

Still working on the paper cutting so don't have a full update on that for you yet. I've also been working with wire. I've been looking at leaves abstractly. In the wind leaves move in a circular motion. I wanted to try and imply that through the wire.

I twisted one long length of wire and added shorter pieces around half way. I twisted the ends of the wire into loops, swirls and curls to imply the movement of leaves. I hung it up as a wall hanging. To be honest, looking at the piece itself, it could actually be modified into a piece of jewellery! Perhaps for a future project. To be continued.......................

Progress

Just to update you with what I've been doing. I wanted to make a skirt out of leaves. I wanted them to remain soft so that they would move as the person walks. I first washed and dried the leaves. I then coated them with PVA glue and hung them to dry. Once they were dry I tried bending them but they felt a bit hard for what I wanted them for.

I then coated single leaves in a few coats of latex and allowed them to dry. They were a lot softer and was happy with the results. I even peeled off the latex from one on the leaves. It left a very clear impression of all the details on the leaf. I then tried to make one sheet of latex with the imprint of the leaves. Unfortunately this didn't work out for me. I used leaves that kept popping up off the page. I needed to use flat or pressed leaves. I plan to try this again at a later stage.

I then was looking at pictures of swirling leaves and came across one that showed a beautiful range of coloured leaves. I decided to try and work on this thought. I made some circles from wire and
connected them to each other by a centre piece of wire and reinforced it.

Then I cut some pieces of string. I mixed some acrylic paint with water in a cup and suspended the string into it. I used the colours of autumn leaves.

I strained and dried them. I then tied them onto the top two wire circles.

I then sellotaped two metal skewers down the centre to give it extra support. I also needed the end of the skewers to be longer than the piece so they would be able to spin. I inserted it into an electric drill. With the drill on, I took photos and a video clip of it.

Was having problems with uploading the vido clip. Hope it works!!
I have to say, I really enjoyed making this.

I've started my next stage. I'm working on a paper cut. I'll update when I have more to show you.

On with the Project!

Here's how I'm getting on with my project. The first 2 weeks I decided to go along with the theme of water. I went down to the local river and did a quick sketch. I wanted to get the feel for the flowing water. (These pics are from my sketchbook)

After that I got some pictures of waves to work on. I did an acrylic picture and a soft pastel picture

I then started thinking about under the water. Fish! And also bubbles created by fish, waves etc.

I also did a paper cutout of waves. (I kept the negative space too as I found both pieces interesting).

Then I just wasn't feeling it anymore! I didn't know what more I could do with water!! I actually stopped and realised that my real love is with trees. I started thinking about the way the leaves move in the wind and even the way trees move in a storm. Trees for me are very strong, powerful, tall and they symbolise wisdom and knowledge. They withstand years of being hit by all the elements.

I then looked at doing a paper cut of trees and wanted to see how the branches move.

I then moved on to sketching some leaves and made some leaves out of 2 types of wire, a little tough on the hands, but worth it. They were great fun to make. I hung them by invisible thread by the window in the studio. Any movement in the studio creates wind and the leaves move.

I like silhouettes and working with fibre tip pens. I drew a leaf and then also used some watercolour pencils to draw leaves on the ground swirling in the wind.

 

I wanted to start playing with the leaves themselves. I got various coloured leaves and dried them out. I then started making a collage with the leaves. Still working on this, but here's a pic of where I'm at with it at the moment.

Working on using latex at the moment too. Not too sure how it's going to work out but will update you soon with that.