chelsiefeather

[chelsiefeather]

Artist Statement

Psycho-Geographical Painting

I wanted to explore abstract art as I was greatly inspired by the works of Kandinsky and Rothko during gallery visits; their use of colour and shape which created ‘another-worldly’ visual language was very compelling for me. I had previously experimented with abstract painting but I wanted to see how far I could push those boundaries; how I could create a close relationship between my art work and daily life. It was important for me to develop my own visual language, one which could communicate with the viewer on both an emotional level and an aesthetical one.

I chose to base my paintings around psycho-geographical themes, initially ‘Urban Life’, which then progressed into ‘Train Journeys’ more specifically. Using my own photography as a platform for my initial research, it was a starting point that helped alter my perception of my environment – I started to notice interesting form in the most mundane objects which I then simplified and manipulated to create abstract shapes in my painting, as well as compositional ideas. Furthermore, I drew inspiration from last semesters’ workshop with Evie that taught me how to mark-make; this was extremely useful for me when it came to creating my own visual language as it taught me how to ‘let-go’ on paper and have freedom with shapes.

I experimented with colour palette and texture, composition and background. To start I was not focused on a specific narrative, only my chosen theme. However, as my artwork developed I wanted to make narrative a dominant aspect of my work. Instead of creating paintings that previously captured a singular stagnant moment in time, I wanted to focus on the idea of a journey and the emotional rollercoaster we experience during travel. I wanted to capture a sense of time passing and so creating movement in my work became necessary. For my final piece, I achieved a sense of movement through more vigorous brushwork - opposed to the flatter, smoother painting techniques I had adopted earlier on -to convey a sense of time passing, whilst combining other successful visual elements from previous work which I discovered through feedback from tutors and peers.

[chelsiefeather]

Exhibition - Masonic Hall

I am very happy with the final outcome. My gift proposal of “inspiration” has worked well in the sense that I brought to life the vibrancy and movement of the work into a neutral and traditional room - juxtaposing styles. Hopefully it will inspire the dancers in this room to be more expressive and vibrant, like the work. 

I think my chosen placement for my piece was a great turnout as I intended the mirror to reflect the work in order to make it look bigger, which I think it has. 

I would have chosen a slightly larger canvas if I had the opportunity to do it again as it would have dominated the space a lot more and taken control of its environment. However, I think with the smaller canvas I had, the space ended up dominating my work and I think it looks slightly lost in the space. 

[chelsiefeather]

Final Exhibition Piece - Work in Progress

Wanting to incorporate more elements from previous more graphical paintings I have done over the past month or so, I felt as though the painting was too hectic and needed some balance visually. I included hints of flatter shape with bolder contrasting colours. I also wanted to balance out the flat background so i went over the textured half with a flatter smoother colour to match the top half - I also felt this would add sections to the painting and make the bottom half look less ‘long’ in comparison to the top half. 

[chelsiefeather]

Final Exhibition Piece - Work in Progress

I decided to include a somewhat abstract image of a train, still wanting to obscure what the object is. 

I have placed the smaller canvases around the painting to see if my initial idea would work, however it doesnt. The style, colours and shapes I have used in the large painting does not compliment the smaller ones - I think the larger canvas is impactful enough on its own as it is quite vibrant and busy. 

[chelsiefeather]

Final Exhibition Piece - Work in Progress

Looking back through feedback I have gotten from Rick and through tutorials with other tutors over this semester, there was a common theme about making parts of the background much more flat and smooth (without visible brushstrokes) so I decided to go for an acrylic spray paint to give that “smooth” and flat effect. However, I noticed early on that because of the size of the canvas (93 X 152cm), it left streaks. I’ve never used spray paint before and so I noticed that the closer I sprayed to the canvas, it gave a glossy effect because of the thickness it came out. Unfortunately that made it quite patchy because of the different consistencies. However, because I want a contrast in textures it worked in my favour.

I have started to use a dry brushing technique on the lower half of the painting to add to this contrast of textures even more. Still unsure what main shapes to place in the middle. I like the idea of having sections on a painting...rule of thirds perhaps? Visually pleasing. 

I am using various elements from previous works to improvise on this piece. I have found I work better through spontaneous painting and improvisation, if I over think a piece of work it seems to become too cluttered and too chaotic. 

My idea for this painting is to encapsulate an emotional aspect to train journeys i.e day dreaming and letting your mind wander, whilst encompassing the background chatter and hum of the noise...

[chelsiefeather]

Development of Work

Small 5X5 canvases. Smallest scale I have been working on. I have an idea to combine one extremely large painting with a series of smaller ones to compliment. These are my initial responses to that idea. 

I wanted to encapsulate different moments I have experienced on a train. Each one contains a unique shape or response to a feeling I encountered - A bit like telling a story of a journey through a small series. 

Have not yet started larger painting, will use these shapes as starting points. 

[chelsiefeather]

Further Ideas for Exhibition Layout

I noticed a flat panel just underneath the decorative boarder. I noticed this as it was different to all the other spaces in the room, it was the only one, and so it stood out to me. I have an idea to place a series of small canvases either on that panel or perhaps around the painting instead - highlighting various points of a journey and specific “moments” whilst the larger canvas encapsulates the entirety or emotional aspects over a period of time...

[chelsiefeather]

Development of Work

Very quick brief paintings to demonstrate ideas for my exhibition piece. 

Like

The pink tones of the colour palette in each of them. As I want to emphasise the idea of “day dreaming” on a train and the psycho-geographical themes surrounding that. I find pink to be a romantic and dream-like colour...personal opinion.

The mix of organic and hard edged shapes. Creates contrast and juxtaposition of moods/ highlights the harsh physicality of the train itself whilst showing the fluidity of day dreaming.

The mix of texture and flat space create more dimension 

Dislike

The more textured piece is too messy and visually confusing - has no direction and does look like random shapes placed on paper - theres no linear relationship between any aspect of this work.

the flatter works need to be more prominent - perhaps stronger bolder outlines need to be used. 

[chelsiefeather]

Development of work

Still experimenting with ideas for the exhibition piece. Acrylic on Paper, A2. Both very different contrasting ideas in different styles. Need to start merging?

[chelsiefeather]

Development of Work

Like

The ‘flatness’ and matte background - creates stronger contrast and impact.

The organic fluidity of the shapes rather than the previous harsh lined shapes I have been painting

I muted the colours down to a softer palette - I think these colours are more sophisticated

Dislike

I wanted a vast negative space around the shapes, however I think it is too sparse, needs to be fuller.

perhaps too abstract? Viewers cannot make much sense of this…is that a bad thing? It is nice to let the viewer see what they want to see, however it shows it is unsuccessful in demonstrating a psycho-geographical scene/ train stations. (I asked a few people what they could see and there was no urban scene mentioned at all)

Not enough texture, (apart from hints of thickly applies paint) I want to create more movement to emulate a sense of a “journey” and movement of a train. Brush strokes need to be visible, more expressive. 

Perhaps too dull for the chosen space? 

[chelsiefeather]

Chosen Space - Masonic Hall + Proposal for “The Gift” Exhibition

Having chosen studio 2 – The dance studio – and having been exploring abstract art, I have decided to propose paintings (one large one and several smaller ones) with bold colour and dynamic shape to juxtapose the neutral and traditional ‘canvas’ of the dance studio walls. I feel like the bright colours and overlapping shape would help to inspire the dancers and their movement as it will hopefully create a dynamic visual focal point on the wall. I want to include more texture than previous works and mix expressive brushstroke and flat shape - combining visual elements I have been using in various paintings over the past few months.

I liked the idea of having the mirror to reflect the art work which will be placed on the wall next to it, making it appear bigger. I also thought the natural light would emphasise the art work as it is about train journeys and day dreaming looking out of a window whilst on the train. 

[chelsiefeather]

Initial Ideas for Exhibition - Layout

[chelsiefeather]

Development of Work

like

colour palette. The paler and softer blue, pinks and whites help to compliment the stronger vibrant red and oranges whilst the burnt plumb and black adds contrast and sense of depth. 

The flatter shapes work well with the hints of pattern, not too overcrowded.

The organic shapes and expressive brush marks create movement.

The visual elements communicate well with each other, sense of fluidity.

Dislike

The heavier shapes perhaps need more detail/ more purpose rather than hovering/floating.

Certain brushstrokes are too weak, need to be stronger and bolder to suit the style of the painting.

[chelsiefeather]

Mike Pratt  + Q&A - 27th March

• Unconventional painter/sculpturist   • Experiments with materials, hands on • He creates ideas through “doing” • Influenced by pop art and American abstract painters

Q&A with Mike

“If I want to work on a bigger scale, how do I go about it/where do I start?” - Just start, do not overthink it and just enjoy. - Can start with an idea and change it where you see fit/ overlay work.

“Do you think art has a value if it doesn’t have a meaning or a message?” - As long as you enjoy making. - As long as you make something someone hasn’t done before.

With the above answer I disagreed. I feel as though you CAN make art work which HAS been done before as you can make it with different intentions which in turn, creates originality in itself. Also, I have found as an artist it is very very difficult and almost impossible to come up with a totally unique concept as most of it has already been done before. It is about using inspiration from others to create something new.

He continues… - “meaning” can be a red-herring. Many people give my work a meaning themselves which allows them to interpret the work the way they want.

“Why do you call your sculptures paintings?” - They are an arrangement of colour and objects and I work into the materials so it is responsive, a direct conversion much like artists do with paintings.

I found this response rather interesting as it made me question the relationship between painting and sculpture and other works for that matter. Does it really matter what they are called? All work is a response and an interpretation of something whether it be an idea or a physical outcome.

[chelsiefeather]

Response to Jean Dubuffet

Having seen the use of texture on Dubuffets work, I wanted to experiment with bolder brushstrokes and thicker paint. I used a scratching method along with dry brush strokes to create harsh line.

However, I do not think these works are successful. I think they are far too messy and busy in terms of composition, shape and colour. I think perhaps i could have used more of a limited colour palette with softer colours to compliment the bolder colours more - should have just used hints of bold colour maybe? I think it is too oversaturated colour wise.

Even though i like the obscurity of abstract art, I think the shapes are too obscure and not fine tuned enough - even though there are layers I think it lacks depth. A sense of background and foreground needs to be more prominent. Its too chaotic. Maybe reflecting my own personal head space and mood?

Development wise, I still would like to explore texture but perhaps add it to the flatter pieces to add a juxtaposition and create a deeper dimension...

[chelsiefeather]

Bea Hughes - 20th March

• Printmaking PHD • Curated exhibition called “adventures on Menstruating” • Being Human Festival 2018 • Challenges ideas about feminism and periods

I found Bea Hughes to be relatable in terms of being a woman, but unfortunately not her art work. Her prints she made of her own vulva over a time period (pardon the pun) of months, even whilst she was bleeding, made a strong statement about the natural-ness of menstruation however in terms of actual ART WORK I found it lacked substance in terms of a narrative. Yes, It suggests a strong feminist theme and the aspects surrounding that which is important, but it lacked emotive intent and originality.

However, having said that, it is a political statement which relates to everywoman regardless of age, race or religion which I think makes a positive stance. I suppose it is quite powerful to use art as a supportive platform from which to express political issues we face as women within society.

[chelsiefeather]

Gallery Visit - The Tate

Mark Rothko & Jean Dubuffet

Rothko’s earlier work: I have never seen this style before! The somewhat surrealistic scene which explodes with shape and dimension. I love his use of mark making here - such contrasting gestures with more jagged line mixed with shape of softer blurred edges. There is a fluidity to this particular piece which shows movement much like Kandinsky’s work. I like the subdued colour palette.

The piece below shocked me at first and I did not like it. I found it quite disturbing and uncomfortable to look at because it had human features mixed with some sort of mythlogical creature - created a sort of deformed figure. However, it creates impact. I think artwork should provoke emotion and in my opinion, the more emotive the work, the more successful it is. 

As I looked at it longer I fell in love with the colour and texture. It has such a harsh appearance which mirrors the harsh nature of the figure. It has make me consider adding more texture to my works rather than the flat and smooth surfaces I have been working on.