Movin' On

Hello there, I have some exciting news...

Whilst I have enthusiastically blogged about my university years here, I have relocated to a new blog space where I will continue to share my design ideas and processes. You can join me here whilst I find my way through the world following my passion for design as a textiles graduate. I feel it makes sense for me to create a new blog whilst I move through the next chapter in my life. I am particularly excited because now my blogging can exist in the same place as everything else to include my portfolio and shop. 

 Come and visit me at April's Studio to help me unpack my boxes.

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Limbo

The last few months at university were rather intense to put it lightly. I basically lived my final major project. My goal as always was to 'do the very best I can' (without sounding like a Brownie). Of course I got through it and knowing I had tried my best was comforting.

The very next morning I woke up and immediately felt lost. My mind was still switched on and I felt it was important to take a step back and recover. However, I like keeping busy therefore taking this step back wasn't so easy. I remember walking into the centre of Bath and returning home with paint and a sketchbook. I just couldn't help myself!

Last week I was fortunate to have been selected to show my work at New Designers. This is a show specifically for the most talented design graduates. For this reason I was pinching myself. I thoroughly enjoyed the show but it was hard work. It involved lots of standing around but this didn't matter to me because I was there, instead of someone else and I didn't want to miss anything or anyone.

At this point I am assessing the experience and unfortunately I didn't feel confident about the work that was selected to go on the stand. This made the experience less enjoyable and I would have liked to have been able to make this decision myself. The work on the stand was described as brave and bold but I didn't feel like it was a great representation of all the skills I have developed. My other work included a selection of boards that I had stitched into and demonstrated a repeat pattern although these were described as unresolved. For this reason I would really like to show my work myself.

I don't want to spend my time worrying about somebody copying my work or receiving negative feedback (all feedback is good feedback). The fact is design is subjective and detaching yourself from your work is hard when making is so personal, but I feel like I don't want to keep my work to myself. I want to share my ideas. They're no good packaged up in the loft and any suggestions would be much appreciated.

I am very pleased I had this little book made with a selection of my work to share.

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Hello I'm Here

This week I showed my work at New Designers. This is such an exciting time for me and a great stepping stone into the real world. The great thing was I got to share this opportunity with lots of my friends as there were 25 of us on the stand representing Bath School of Art and Design. I was prepared with my portfolio and feel that I managed to make the most of this brilliant opportunity. Getting your work 'out there' is scary but exciting and I think my first year will be difficult but I'm ready to accept the challenge!

Degree Show

At the moment my degree show is taking place which is an exciting time.  We have created a site showing snippets of work by the textiles graduates of 2013 from Bath School of Art and Design to include my profile here. The show is a reflection of all that I have achieved throughout my three years at university but also a chapter to hopefully mark the beginning of my career in the textiles industry. Gavin Turk and Cedric Christie gave really inspiring talks at the industry night, which has enabled me to feel proud of myself and everyone else in my year.

Above I had the opportunity to paint the glass doors inside the reception area.  I really enjoyed doing this and took the motif from one of the designs I have on show.

My show consists of a mixture of materials that I have managed to have my designs printed onto, this includes wood, plastic and glass. I have had the materials cnc routed to enable me to stitch into them and laser etched. All these applications match up perfectly with my prints.  

I am really pleased and wish all the graduates of 2013 lots of luck.

Sketchbook

It has been so sunny today, I decided to do some painting in the garden. I love our wild garden and my painting is rather wild too! (Well it's not really my garden, it belongs to the little flat my boyfriend rents, this is why it's so wild!) It has however enabled me to start a sketchbook filled with paint drips and brush marks and mixtures of colour. I usually have to tone bits down when I transform my paintings into digital prints. 

Wherever you are, whether it's winter or summer I hope the weather is kind!

Time Out

This week I took a step back from designing. I went away to Mallorca for a mini break and enjoyed the sun along with good food and holiday reading. 

When I got back I had a list of emails awaiting me, hinting I should get back into the swing of things. My business cards have arrived and I have created an ARTSTHREAD Portfolio.

Has anyone else been enjoying the sun?

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Abstract DIY

I saw this DIY on Pinterest the other day and thought it would be fun to try myself.

All you have to do is put blobs of paint on a page and then paint them in together. Anyone can do it!

Choose any colour you like

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