My Dog Sighs Workshop

In the Free Art Friday workshop I created a ship out of a discarded pamphlet and a leaf. The leaf is the mast whilst the Pamphlet is the ship. The screws were used to create mechanical legs and added a mechanical feel to it.

Frogs

For my Research Methodology project, I chose to study frogs. I found them intriguing in the sense that they were considered either cute pets or horrible creatures - there is no in-between. Aside from their reputation, they are very interesting animals and have so many variations. This post shows a sample of my project and my exploration of frogs.

In my research I investigated the things most commonly associated with frogs. I looked at their patterns, their movements and their noises in an attempt to understand them better to find a way to represent them. First, I looked at the distinctive markings of the common frog, the kind you're likely to find in your garden. I experimented with different mediums to find the best way to represent the texture and patterning of a frogs skin. I found watercolour to work particularly well as it had a softer effect that suited the subject.




I also experimented with etching to create the patterns of frog skin. I tried the standard form of etching and found that the pattern edges were too harsh and bold. In the example shown, I used diluted watercolour paint over the dried ink to add a green tint to the etch, adding a little colour. Despite this, the darker patches of the pattern still look harsh. My second etching attempt was much more successful and had a more natural-looking finish. For this plate, I removed the ground for the patterning with a pencil eraser which removed it unevenly and gave the faded outline to the marks. I then treated and inked up the plate as normal and found that the ink collected in the uneven patterns, then forming darker areas on the print which looked great. The print shown is my favourite of those taken from the second plate as it showcases the pattern brilliantly but still maintains as an overall image of a frog.

This next image is of my piece from the mechanical animals workshop. In this session, we were encouraged to create a representation of our chosen animal created out of mechanical elements. In my piece I really wanted to convey the frogs hopping movement in the springs under its feet and the powerful legs crammed with gears and other machinery. The springs might look comical, but they communicate my message well.

In the last image, you can see my piece from the workshop led by guest lecturer My Dog Sighs, inspired by his Free Art Friday initiative. The workshop encouraged students to find a piece of litter and to rework it as a piece of art. Students used cans, bottle caps and scraps of paper for their work. I found a seed from a sycamore tree and thought it looked a lot like a tadpole. I then used acrylic paints to paint the seed as a tadpole, with the markings and a little eye. I think this piece is very effective, and is a good representation of a tadpole.

My Dog Sighs Workshop

Lost and Found Workshop

This is Freddie, created through a workshop with My Dog Sighs.  Made using string, ink and charcoal, was Freddie murdered or did he commit suicide?  I guess we will never know as he disappeared from where he was hung...

Lost and Found with MyDogSighs

Upcycler, recycling artist, street artist and can-man MyDogSighs worked with us today to help clear the streets around Winston Churchill Avenue and encouraged the students to create artwork from discarded items. Intrinsic to the workshop is the idea that the item is found - transformed and then left in-situ for anyone who wants to keep it.

In the spirit of Free Art Friday the students explored the techniques and concepts MyDogSighs employs and responded individually to the item they had found. These might be worth looking out for around the Eldon Building over the next day of two.

Adam Davenport - Snake

Adam Davenport - Snake.

For my 'Shakespeare's Animals' project, I decided too choose the snake. The reason behind this choice was because of my knowledge of Shakespeare quotes that represent the snake in a vicious way. I started with research into the anatomy, environment, logos, artists that influence me and certain styles of snake designs. I went onto researching into Tattoo styled work on snakes, that went onto linking too symbolism as my main visual research. 

Whilst this research was going on, I was continuing with drawings of the snake that later on went onto being my final piece. I was drawing/experimenting in different styles that influenced me in my studies including ; Op Art, Tattoo, Symbolism, Continuous Line, Monochromatic, 3D Modelling and Pop Art. I will now show you some of the examples of my drawings, experiments and final piece.

Lino Print - Here I have one of five Lino prints
that came out the best. I chose to re-print these five
more times to sell in the end of year show. 

Photoshop Airbrush - This experiment was influenced through
my first initial drawing of the snake that I wanted to
develop further. However, this becomes a useful experiment
because the technique is used for the final piece.

Pop Art experiment - In the opening statement I mentioned
that I was drawing/experimenting in different styles. This
was a mixture of three; Pop Art, Monochromatic and Airbrush.

Final Piece - This piece was a development from my experiment
of Pop Art style, inspired by Andy Warhol. I then had a idea of the
snake biting into a can of drink, this drink was later called
'Snakebite'. 

My Dog Sighs - #FreeArtFriday. This was the experiment that I
chose to do during our workshop with My Dog Sighs.

My Dog Sighs

Lost and Found workshop

Many thanks to My Dog Sighs, who joined us today for a workshop and tasked the first years with finding a discarded item which they could up cycle into a characterful animal.

They returned with a wide array of found items to transform into original artworks and then return to the original location, photograph and leave behind, to be found and possibly kept by a passer by. Inspired by artworks shown by My Dog Sighs the students were introduced to the concept behind Free Art Friday, a global community of artists creating work which is returned and left for any member of the public to take home and enjoy.

The weeks so far spent studying the characteristics of the animals is becoming more apparent in the pieces the students produced.