Part 4 Review

Assignment 4

Reflective commentary

As ever I reflect as I go along but this is a good opportunity to take an overview of Part 4.  It doesn't seem two minutes since I began but the amount of work I've covered is staggering

I love looking at the work of artists of all kinds and I've managed to do a lot of this.  For one of my tapestry pieces it even inspired me to try an experiment based on a painting.  Best of all was Linda Bellinger's response to my request for details of her work; she was just so helpful and friendly..

The idea of wrappings is one that seems to work well for me.  Whilst I've sometimes found myself deviating from what I've wrapped it's been useful to focus on proportion.

I enjoyed the early weaving tasks and it surprised me that such a wide range of effects was possible..  

I've found myself using braids and cords I've made in the later tapestry work.  It's been useful as a way of combining colours and thickening yarns up a bit.

In the Structures section I found myself rejecting work that I'd spent quite some time on.  I think this is part of becoming more discerning and critical..  The structures I finally produced were both a bit off the wall.  I'm finding I'm more and more interested in using the odds and ends I have instead of expensive materials..  I'm an avid eBayer and have a nose for a bargain.

I had to teach myself to weave and made an initial mistake through misunderstanding some instructions. However, what my mistake did show me is that there's more than one way to weave; you just get a different result.  In my case my first piece was like a tough rug and my second piece was very loose.. Eventually I realised what was happening and subsequent pieces are better.

I've thoroughly enjoyed the weaving in spite of the problems (including tension) which I think I've managed to resolve..

At the beginning of the course and way into it I was always happy to return to stitch because I felt more comfortable with it than anything else.  This is changing and I'm finding other textile approaches I want to pursue.

My Theme Book

I had  a difficult time with my Theme Book at the start of Part 4 and it took a definite back seat as I floundered. around.  I managed to pick it up again by looking at the enormous variation in fruit skins.  The work I did on melon skin informed my design at the collograph workshop I did recently. and I'm considering a similar design for Project 10.  I need to talk to my tutor.

Assessment criteria points

Demonstration of Technical and Visual Skills

Part 4 has been about structures and weaving and has offered some challenges which I have managed to overcome.

I've been pleased that I've been able to combine materials to achieve so many different effects.

I find that I'm looking at the work of others (like Peter Dworok) and being able to imagine it in another medium.

I still feel that composition sometimes lets me down.

Quality of Outcome

I'm learning that quality doesn't necessarily mean neatness.  This is a big move for me...

I'm finding it hard to know how to present bulky material so that it is    shown to best advantage..

I continue to feel I'm on an adventure and am becoming less "stitch dependent"..

Demonstration of Creativity

I think that some of my best work is in this section.  It feels exuberant and exciting and that's down to combinations of materials I think.

I'm enjoying letting go and experimenting.  .

I'm pretty hard on myself - I'm still wanting to produce "wonderful" all the time.

I'm constantly surprised at what I can do.

Context

I'm managed to see the work of a whole range of artists recently.  They have ranged from ceramicists to blacksmiths.  There's something to be learned from each one..

I'm beginning to believe that I CAN. and recognising my own work as something worthwhile.