University Campus Suffolk

Final Reflection

My final pieces are up and I feel very proud to see my degree show in progress. Over the past six months working towards this very moment, I have grown into the artist I always imagined myself to be. The previous two years at university I painted about identity and expression, (to try something new) but ever since I can ever remember when I was a little girl, my passion were the flowers and the outside world that surrounded me. Just so happened that university took me back to my routes and I couldn’t be more grateful. The last three years as a whole, I have seen my work progress and develop. I have a much wider perspective of understanding the fine art world and my contextual reasoning behind such work has been amazing to discover and watch grow.

My dissertation was one of the most challenging journeys yet, however, I absolutely loved it. The connection I formed to something that I was so passionate about was unbelievable, and I could not stop researching and writing. My dissertation argument, “How do two contemporary artists, Hamish Fulton and Richard Long, articulate the natural environment? Subconsciously aided my work and made me make the connection to the landscape that I came in contact with, as they did. They have not only formed the topic of my dissertation, but too inspired me and had huge influences on my work. Had I not chosen this particular topic, it would be fair to say my work may not have had the same depth that I feel it has. The link of my dissertation and my project was essential and working with my dissertation closely side by side to my project formed the connection needed.

My final pieces in my degree show ooze character, something which was my aim from the start. They show differentiation throughout and are given an edge with the direction of brushstrokes and white emphasis. The pathway concept in each painting is not necessarily made clear; it is merged into the landscape, something I witnessed whilst walking. I love the idea that the pathway stays an aspect of the painting rather than dominating it. This will mean that the viewer will have to make their own connection, but aided with notebooks and my portfolio I hope it becomes more obvious. The context of my work is something that has overpowered my paintings, in a good way. I have really enjoyed delving into my work and trying to understand and gain something which I knew was there, but needed unravelling.

Throughout this journey I have learnt a lot about my own work, especially over the past few months. Firstly being my use of colour. For as long as I can remember I have loved using bright, bold and unrealistic colours in my work. As much as I loved this use of colour it was holding me back. My breakthrough to control this was seen when I started walking in the landscape. I saw the natural beauty and realised that the colours did not need to be emphasised or changed, simply enhanced in areas due to my own style of painting. This lesson learnt links to my next finding which is my relationship I have formed in the landscape. Making this connection and realisation to my true passions, started to bring everything together.

“ Walking is a way of engaging and interacting with the world, providing the means of exposing oneself to new , challenging perceptions and experiences and of acquiring an expanded awareness of our surroundings” (Moorhouse, P, 2002, p.14)

My work has been centred around the walking aspect and visiting the landscape in the flesh. There is no better way to feel the energy it express’. I myself have taken the trodden pathway and felt included and a part of the landscape. It was the beginning of my journey and one I plan to continue.

Pulling everything together

So with my three final pieces in sight (two of which are not shown on my blog), today is the day where the frames are going to be made and attached ready for final touches to be made. The two final pieces not shown on here are a lot smaller that the big one and act as supporting pieces. They are a rectangular shape and ideally I plan to hang one above another. I have spent the whole day in the workshop with the help of my dad working to get my pieces supported and professional.

In between painting and making degree show and assessment preparation have been commencing. I have painted my walls white and began filling holes and sanding raised areas. Seeing my studio space come together is exciting and also a little frightening.

So…

•The final pieces are framed

•My degree show space is set up

Tomorrow I need to:

•Paint the wood around my paintings white which personally I think is the best colour to lighten it up. I also need to carefully paint around the edges of the hardboard so the finish is professional standard

•Attach mirror plates ( as all are heavy)

•Hang my work- the decision is now where to hang each of the pieces in my space as I have an alcove where one wall is set back from the other. My initial idea was to display the two smaller ones on the wall set back and the bigger one more in the limelight on the closer wall. I think however I am going to change this plan because it makes more sense for the larger piece to go on the wall set back which will allow the viewer to step back and see from a distance, as you would in the true landscape.

The smaller ones will then sit nicely with plenty of white space between them, because I believe the white walls do them justice. I plan to hang them one on top of the other because I think that if displayed side by side they may almost look like one long painting. Having space either side is definitely the correct decision

•Paint the floor- this job is going to be the very last and final job as my space is as soon as you walk in the door and therefore people are going to be in and out before deadline. This will then be fresh for assessment.

Today I have been concentrating on my large board for the degree show which is rapidly approaching. I am really pleased with its outcome today as I found the character of the landscape. The layering of paint has given the painting vibrancy.

The pathway has been highlighted with the use of darker colour and tone which draw the eye to it. I love the diagonal feel the painting which I tried to emphasize with the use of the white paint, seemingly a theme throughout my work. The next steps are to stabilise the board which is currently quite flimsy. I plan to do this with 2×2 bits of wood which will give the board a canvas type appearance.