my future

I have now have a registered business working on and promoting my art work for at least 16 hours a week. It has not been easy to get to this point as I have been in a constant catch 22 since the summer, but now I am here I have to decide how best to carry on my work.  When I went to the bridge of Allen art festival it became clear that though my work created a lot of interest it was not the type of work that all wanted in there home and by observing the other stalls, I became aware that it was merchandise that was selling rather than actual art works that were selling.  By merchandise I mean smaller copies or mugs, bags, coasters, fridge magnets and so on.  
The work on the other stalls are were what could only really be described as 'safe' art work.  Paintings of cottages, highland cows, a lady with red umbrella and cupcakes with lots of pastel colours were common place and that is not to say the other works weren't good or pretty but rather a bit generic.  At the same time I understand that not every one wants to put an image in there house associated with HIV, nightmares or child poverty in there houses and its not because they don't care but rather they don't wish to get home from a hard days work and be confronted by these issues.   I do not want to avoid these issues but must look at how I am to make a living from my work.
 I am going to try and put some images of my work on to images to see if they have more success but at the same time I will look to creating a series of screen prints on Robert Louis Stevenson.  I have also had a good response to my wood block prints so will look to creating some merchandise from them too.
I am looking to take part in more art festivals and fairs with the Edinburgh fringe in mind also.    

Wood block

Started to do wood block printing and the first one has yielded a good response.  I have to look at where I can source materials in order to do so.

Reverse side of the banners

This is what I was working on from the weekend onwards.  I had to adjust some of my figures in destress ws they weren't fitting in the boxes,  but I still made it work.
It was difficult to print on such a large scale and more difficult still to do it straight.  There is some where I maybe slightly off, though whether this is obviously or not I will not be able to know until it goes up as it is on such a large scale.  The craft foam its self looked really quite beautiful once the dark ink made the underlying colour appear like a shadow.

Been through the wars

This is my wee experimental bit of fabric that has been ripped, spray painted on a dozen times, cut, stitched flung though the sewing machine,  the washing machine then sewing machine again with paper,  before being ironed sprayed with water and steamed.  I could not do all these experiments on separate bits as the budget would not allow it.

Historic Scotland

Filling each mould was difficult as hand mixing did not only my shoulder in but my back too.  I looked on line at the price of hiring a cement mixer and although it said £36 for a week by the time all the additional charges were added on I discovered it was over £130 they wanted. I could not afford that so luckily I was allowed to borrow one from Historic Scotland .

Washed out nostalgia

This washed out effect add to the second hand nostalgia view that modern architecture was all roses and Blue skies.  It highlights the flaws in the original idea

Spray paint

I bought a lot more paint than what was needed but the job is done.  I am hoping when I put it through the washing machine it gives a slightly worn effect and dose not completely wash off.

Edging closer towards final piece

I am really pleased with the way the slads have turnd out. The varnish I put on top of some to experiment with has transferred on to some of the slabs but I am sure I will find a way to remove it.

Exhibition space

This is the area I have been allowed to set up in. Once the tables,  chairs and computer have been shifted it will be.an excellent space in which to hang my work.  I was hoping for the reception area as the strip lighting would have lent its self well to the work.
The problem with the area I have been given is the directional light for the window may siloet the banners and not allow the spectators to see the designs, and the hanging of the banners may cause difficulties however the college technician said that it should be fine and well find a way and I have ever faith we will.

Moulds

The difficulty I had constructing the moulds was due to my shoulder injury as mentioned before.  I could not get the strength behind my left arm to force the screws in to place.  Fortunately my friend from a few doors down was willing to help and completed them in a few hours.

Paper templates

The easiest way to transfer a large image at home is by creating a paper template and spray painting on to it. There's was no silkscreen large enough to come what I wanted done so this filled the gap. The downside is how time consuming it is scaling up, planing positive and negative space cutting and ironing the lining paper to make it easy to work with. Then the vast scale makes it awkward to handle and really should be a two man job.
However I only have one more to create a paper stencil for so the job is almost over for one side of the three banners.

Impingement syndrome

I had a visit to the hospital and have discovered I have impingement syndrome.  This causes a weakness in my left arm and often makes it painful to lift things or raise my arms. This is what is causing me a great deal of trouble with my project. The fabric banners do not bother me so much but the cement &moulds will be difficult and most likely painful to create.

Cement mixers

Need to think about hiring one of these as it would make life easier and prehaps not be is painful on my back and sholder to work. The cement mixer seems a reasonable price but will need to check the finances as I have already spent £63 on wood to create the moulds and £55 on fabric. 

Traditional cement mixer

Padel mixer

Banners design

This has taken hours to scale up draw out and plan what to cut and not to cut.  The cutting will have to wait till tomorrow as working on the floor is killing my back and my knees,  though the wee garden mat has given some relief to my knees. 

Fabric transparency

Paper between the two sides of the panels helps make the banner opaque. 

Creating interlocking slabs

After completing one slab and getting it out of the mould successfully I have measured and cut enough to create 7 more moulds.  I was hoping to get that completed the day however the drill needed charged so I am hoping to get in and complete the job the morra. 

Lighting

Lighting could be very important for this work as I would like the front to be well lit as then you would struggle to see the figures behind.  Where as on the back the figures would have the dark shadows of the buildings ever present over the occupants. If lighting is not possible then I would have to put paper between the two sides to stop the light shine through and looking ill thought out.

Demo

These are just demonstrations of what I am planning for one side of the fabric.  My original plan for 6 may have been a bit ambitious with the time scale and more importantly funds I have left.  The calico won't be cheap and each banner is to be double sided.