Liberty

In London we also had the opportunity to go to Liberty, I've looked and researched into the work of Liberty before but never been to the shop, and I didn't know what a huge selection of different ranges they have, scarves, stationary, handbags, cosmetics, art prints, rugs, lighting, clothes, watches, fabrics and haberdashery. I found the shop very inspirational and would love to go back. I think that my favourite part of the store was the stationary and card area because they had beautiful wrapping papers and stationary sets. 

London 2012

After we went to the Surface Design Show we decided to go to Camden Market, although I have been to London before I had never had the opportunity to go to the markets. I thought that they were great full of unusual, individual shops and stalls. I really liked the buildings, each one painted a different colours and unusual signs outside. 
Here are some photo's: 

London 2012, Surface Design Show

Last week we had the opportunity to go to London to the Surface Design Show, it was first launched in 2004 and is a way for Architects and Interior Designers to find new and interesting ways of using materials in modern times. It is a way for companies and designers to show a selection of their work to potential clients, and show interesting and exciting ways that technology is changing interiors and surface design. 

I thought that it was a interesting show to see new technologies and materials, and how the materials we are using are having an impact on the environment and how they are creating new materials to help the environment and recycling.  

I think the most interesting stand there and the one that caught my eye was Kristel Erga Magnetic Wallpaper. Which is a new and interesting way to use wallpaper and it is an imaginative way to re-use and recycle different materials. 

I also really liked these mood boards, these were as you first went into the show, I thought that they were very interesting because you could touch the materials and fabrics and see a selection of different techniques and different types of surfaces. I think that I would have enjoyed the show more if it was more like the mood boards, as I found these more interesting and inspirational.  

Robert Ryan

When I was looking at the traditional Mexican paper cut's it reminded me of the work of Robert Ryan, because he uses a similar technique of cutting intricate designs and shapes made from paper. I really love his work and how they tell a story and have a sense of fantasy and creativity. As well as paper cut out's he also creates screen prints that are used on cushions, bags and stationary, I really love these and think that his work and designs really look good and suit being on stationary. All of his work is cut by hand which is so time consuming, but means that his work is more personal and has a raw handmade feeling instead of it being perfect by a laser cutter.

 I really love these youtube videos of him explaining his work and the ideas and thoughts that go behind them, I also think that it is interesting to see where he works and where he gets his inspiration from.

Papel Picado, (Perforated Paper)

When I was researching into Mexican art and Festivals, I came across Papel Picado, when translated is Perforated Paper, and they are decretive cut outs made from different coloured papers, usually tissue paper. This craft started as folk art and is used as holiday and festival decoration in many countries. Themes often include flowers, birds and skulls, and are often displayed for religious occasions such as Easter, Day of the Dead and Christmas, but they are also created for special occasions like weddings and christenings.
It original origins were from Chinese paper cuttings, but because of travel and new techniques from different countries and cultures,  paper cutting became popular in Mexico and other countries, worldwide. They are intricate and delicate pieces all made from hand, making each one unique and different from each other.

Sarah Young

I signed up for the Artist's Newsletter a couple of years ago, and they recommend and advertise new and upcoming artist, in Januarys issue they had an artist called Sarah Young, I went on her website and loved her work. Young is a printmaker, painter, designer and illustrator, and works on a wide range of materials and techniques, such as silk screen printing, mono prints, collagraph, relief prints and creating dolls. When I especially love her prints as they look inspired by folk art, I love how she has layered different colours and shapes on top of each other to create the piece, and instead of using block colours and shapes, she has created the hens body from different patterns and prints, this adds more depth and interest in the picture. 

Artist's block

Over the past couple of weeks I have found it really difficult to get into the new brief and just don't know what to do, I have chosen to base my work around Mexico and Folk Art, however I am finding it really difficult to get into, it's either lack of inspiration and lack of research as I am finding it really difficult to find research and books about Mexican art and culture. I've been to the college library a few times and been unsuccessful in finding any books that link to what I am looking for. I have also been looking on the internet, but I think that I am one of those people that would rather look through a real book to get inspiration from than looking at a flat computer screen. 

I think another reason why I'm finding it difficult is because for this brief we have to choose the topic and what to do, instead of it all being included in the brief. 

I think I either need to find some inspiration quick, or I need to completely change my ideas and choice of topic, I hope I'm not stuck in this block for long!