Thank you for taking the time to look at my digital portfolio

Optical Illusion x Greek Key Inspired Recycled Skirt

These are two photos of the first garment (skirt) I made for a project based on the theme "Key". From the theme of key I then progressed on to looking at greek keys and from greek keys, to optical illusions and 60s fashion. For the skirt pattern I was trying to make an optical illusion pattern that started and ended with the skirts panels. For the skirt I drew out a simple 6 panel A line skirt pattern and used a recycled silver table cloth for the skirt fabric, and helmet straps for the hem.

Print-Making

These are some examples of my stencil printmaking. I cut loads of stencils in cactus shapes, applied printmaking ink to them then positioned them on the page and put them through the print press. I enjoy doing stencil printmaking because you can keep putting the same page through the press with different stencils to add depth to the page and build up layers of colour and tone.

Texture Book

This is a concertina booklet I made (but separated to display in my portfolio) I mainly used scraps of work and photographs to create this booklet and whilst making it I was inspired to add more pages with different techniques and textures. I used various materials likes hand dyed cotton, tissue paper and felt. I enjoy experimenting with different colours and textures.

Experimental Sketchbook Pages

These are some of my experimental sketchbook pages. On the first page I was exploring different shapes within cacti so I tried out doing a repeat pattern of cacti using a glue gun stencil I made by drawing a cactus on card with a glue gun then letting the glue harden and painting black paint on the stencil and printing it on to the page. I wanted to add more colour so I added a wash of watercolour over the cacti prints and a pattern of wavy lines in the background with oil pastel. For the next page I was looking at the cactus photograph at the top and taking inspiration from that to make textures and shapes with things like bubble wrap and pom poms. 

Stitched Collages

I enjoy mixing different techniques together. With these pieces I used collage and stitching. For the top one I tore up pages from magazines and collaged a cactus in blues and greens, then used a sewing machine to stitch into it with a stitch that replicated spikes. On the bottom one, I stuck down tissue paper with PVA glue which gave it a glossy finish, then cut out abstract cactus shapes in scrap fabric and a material I made by painting PVA glue on tissue paper and letting it dry which created a material similar to a very soft plastic, I then stitched over that with a sewing machine like the first collage. I like making materials from tissue paper because by layering the tissue paper I could make my own colours. 

Mixed Media

Shown are two of my mixed media pieces. The first one is of a Pitcher plant, I wanted to replicate the veins in the plant so I drew the veins in oil pastel and when I painted over it with ink the oil pastel resisted the ink and stood out. The next piece I drew first in soft pastel but I wanted to add more texture and dimension so I added pieces of fabric like felt and tissue paper that had been covered in glue to make it a soft plastic material, then stitched over that with a sewing machine. I really enjoy using a colourful palette and being experimental with colours.