Review and Reflect on work for assignment one:
Can you begin to see the relationship between stitching and drawing? – The relationship between drawing and stitching is one of interpretation of visual markings by physical manipulation evident in happy and unhappy experiments – at times exciting and at other times frustrating.Given that the tasks set are not designed to be a reproduction of the objects as such, made the exploration of mark making an incestuous start to the relationship between stitching and drawing. Gradually and with an open and enquiring mind the interrelationship between the two concepts started to become evident.
Were you able to choose stitches which expressed the marks and lines of your drawings? – The choice of stitches expressing the marks and lines was by design and by accident meaning that initially as per instructions and gradually by exploration and ongoing practice to various stages of resolution – this will be an ongoing process.The arbitary selection of stitches made the comparison between image and definition difficult for the reason that no stitch was able to be reproduced as per the marks created on the experimental samples. The marks and lines had to be interpreted according to my own observations and as a consequence will progress as my confidence starts to build and improve.
Did you choose the right source material to choose from? – Source material was by chance selection and by manipulation – in most cases my own work – so that the work was a resolving process to stages governed by time and personal evaluation. Initially I avoided prescriptive drawings and chose to work in a more abstract form of drawing. – I did not want to draw houses, figures, landscapes and seascapes (and definitely not nudes male or female) In hindsight this may have been to my detriment as many of the mark making experiments left me with the problem of jus what source material should I use to create hand stitching samples. I was left thinking that I may have created the difficulties by taking this approach, on the other hand the material I chose to work with meant that I had to let my imagination run riot os a s a previous tutor said – “be more creative”.
Do you think your sample works well irrespective of the drawing? Or is your sample merely a good interpretation of your drawing? – By using my imagination most samples were experimental and not always representative but on all occasions my best effort. Being my harshest critic I am yet to be convinced that the samples worked well when compared to the abstract drawings/images I chose to portaray.I worked away at making them a good interpretation and believe that over time and with more practice and experience I will develop this aspect further and will get better with time.
Which did you prefer – working with stitch to create textures or working with yarns to make textures? Which worked best for you and why? – Yarns were my preferred medium to make textures because I was able to manipulate the outcome by way of an embellishing tool whereas I have a longer road to travel to attain stitching textures – not impossible – but will take more effort and application to the specific tasks in future exercises. I also preferred stitches created withe sewing machine because they contain an element of predestination being available through the firmware contained in our modern machines. On a random basis they worked best for me, however I can foresee that other yarns provide a greater amount of freedom in moving through situations where the outcome needs to be rethought and reworked and is evolving.
Make some comments on individual techniques and sample pieces. Did you experiment enough? Did you feel inhibited in any way? Fix them in your sketch book if you want to or start a separate book of sample references. – Surprisingly the pieces of work that did bring me some satisfaction were the hand embroidered samples in Project Two, stage one, four and five. This was because the images had a sense of reality about them for example when using the blanket stitch for applique work. I will never have nor will experiment enough – however again there will be occasions when the experiments will lead more quickly to a resolved piece of work than at other times. I felt inhibited at times to the extent that all this exploration is outside my comfort zone. For this reason I worked on the principle of more rather than less because this way I may well end up meeting the expectations necessary for assessment, moving on and progressing towards the ultimate achievement of the degree. I am keeping a number of files/sketchbooks of my work and will continue to do so for the reason that I can compare where I have come from and where I need to make changes in order to meet the course requirements.
Do you prefer to work from a drawing or by playing with materials and yarns to create effects? Which method produced the most interesting work? – I am still working through the uncomfortable stages of drawing in order to accomplish the stitching images observed in my drawing/samples and confess that I allow myself the luxury of moving away from the formal to the more creative experiments because of the unresolved outcomes possible by “playing around’. Needle felt work produced the most interesting work in this initial stage of the course.
Are there other techniques you would like to try? Are there any samples you would like to do in a different way? – Free hand machine stitching as evidenced by Kettle and Carol Naylor is a technique for further exploration as are samples on a long arm quilting machine. These techniques would appear to be suitable for mixed media work.
Is there anything you would like to change in your work? If so, make notes for the future. – I’m sure there will be things that I will want to change all the way through but currently it is the balance and time committment between the practical work and loading it up on to the OCA website for tutor assessment and response. These can be resolved by asking the question at the time of the problem and/or the student forums.
The extreme difference between J.C. and OCA tutors contract hours is concerning – I am sure it will be for students just commencing distance learning for the first time.
acreativeapproachtotextiles 