9/03

Today I created my first artist research page. The artist I looked at is Heather day who is an American artist I first discovered through Instagram. Her work doesn't link with the rust, deccay aspect I'm looking at however she uses some spray paints on her work which remind me a lot of the graffiti I see around Barnsley.
I created the artist sheet with her work in mind but not copying any of it exactly. I also used the materials I felt comfortable with and in the ways which I felt most appropriate. I am really happy with the outcome of my artist sheet as it's bright and colourful and I would be happy to display this along side my work in my final exhibition. Today I also started a new mind map as I wasn't happy with my original especially after the peer assessments yesterday. The new mind map includes a nicer looking background which relates more to my theme it also includes much more information about my hopes for the project including artists, gallery I hope to visit and experiments I hope to do.

8/03

Today I carried on with sketchbook work mostly, I created 2 pages in my sketchbook based on the graffiti I photographed on my travels. I wanted to look at graffiti as I feel the different shapes and marks have a resemblance to my style of art work. I also think it will be great to look at due to the colours and different drips.
Today we also started to do some peer assessing of each others mind maps. After this activity I started to feel very worried as I didn't feel that my mind map was detailed enough to reach a distinction standard. I was really happy with the feedback I got from all my peers though. They suggested some really interesting ideas which included gathering rubbings from different buildings around Barnsley and adding them to my sketchbook and also gathering bits of Bark, metal and rust and adding that into my sketchbook.
Me and my teacher kat also decided that creating my own rust would be a really cool idea and another good element to my sketchbook.
Tomorrow I hope to start an artist sheet on Heather day.

7/03

Today at college I decided to focus on some sketchbook work as I haven't felt inspired to do much lately. I decided to start off with something simple. I created a painting in my sketchbook inspired by some of the images I had taken whilst on my travels. This meant me creating realistic rust colours and applying them to a textured background. I also used crackle paste and several layers of paper to mimic peeling paint. Another idea I had was to get some buttons and paint over them to look like rust bolts on my page. This idea actually worked really well and I think the painting looked extremely realistic. Another thing I did today was a few artist research pages on Gerhard richter. I decided to create an artist study on one side on my sketchbook and on the other look at and evaluate his work. I decided to look at his work as I feel his style and colours resemble the rust and decaying I'm focusing on. His colour palettes are very similar to the ones I'm looking at using but he has also been a favourite of mine for many years now.

6/03

Today I went on a walk around Barnsley town to gather primary research. I wanted to do this as I felt I hadn't been working from enough of my own pictures and I wanted a good set of photographs for my sketchbook. I managed to get a range of good images that I am very proud of. My partner showed me this abandoned building that had set on fire years ago. This building couldn't be torn down as it was listed! This has meant that the building as well as been damaged has slowly stated to decay and get old it has also been vandalised and covered with litter. Although this seems like a horrible place it was actually a perfect place for my primary research. The building was full of rust and metal, things falling apart! There was tonnes of peeling paint, graffiti and litter too. I managed to get some really good quality images that I can work with.
As well as the abandoned building I also just looked around Barnsley town centre, I looked at all the graffiti dotted around and all the rusting up the small alleys and streets. I looked also at the peeling paint on the old doors around Barnsley. I managed to get a few good shots of litter too.
Tomorrow at College I will print all these out and start working off them.

2/03

Today I finished my mood board. I'm really happy with the quality of it and I think it's at the level I need it to be. My mood board includes lots of different textures and incorporates all the elements I hope to look at ranging from wood to paint to rust to litter. I think my board shows a clear direction in which I am going and I feel i would be happy to have it displayed in my exhibition. I have also started a few observational drawings/paintings in my sketchbook to try and get into the pattern of working in it again. Throughout these weeks I have also been keeping a time management journal explaining all that I aim to do and all that I have done in that week.

1/03

I've started researching on Pinterest for my new project idea. I managed to collect a good set of images around Barnsley centre and I have printed them out to stay inspired! My mind map is complete but it's too rough for my liking! I want to refine it and add more detail to ensure it's at the level I'm satisfied with. Today I've also started ideas for my mind map, I haven't fully started it yet but I have sketched out a basic plan for it. I wanted to do a mind map because I felt extremely stressed about doing work in my sketchbook and just couldn't get into the swing of things. I decided to do the mind map on paper as I felt I could be more free and experiment with different textures and ideas on a stretched board.

28/02

Today I've had one of the worst days in college so far. I've decided to change my idea. The mental health path I decided to take ended up being too much for me to deal with. I've decided to change my idea and look at decaying and rotting. I am also going to be looking at things like graffiti and different recycled materials. Ive been inspired with this idea by looking around town and because of my upcoming visit to York where I feel I will be able to get really good quality primary research.
I'm really exited to start my new idea even though I'm behind it's the best thing for me at this moment.
I've started today by going on a walk and taking pictures around town of rust and decay, also of any graffiti or paint splats I've seen. I have also started a mind map in my sketchbook to jot down all my ideas. I've done this to try and relax my mind and put me at ease with this new project.