Abbotsford Convent; 'Graffiti Art'

On the walk back from the Abbotsford Convent excursion I took some photos of the graffiti painted along the bike path. The topic of 'street art' or Graffiti, and whether or not it's actually art is a bit sketchy. Some people like it, some think it's vandalism and others are indifferent. I'll admit I've seen better graffiti than these, but I still like them and think they do have artistic merit to them. The artists have put thought into them and composed the lettering and illustrations to create an art piece with text, kind of like typography. Plus they're not harming anyone. I don't like taggers who just draw their dodgy signature in a sharpie on someones fence, but things like this, and the street art along Brunswick St I can enjoy looking at and admire the skill. I know I'd never be able to paint something like these using spray paint.
(I don't think I'd every try this though, even on a canvas. I wouldn't understand what the heck I'm writing)      

Collage and Altered Art

So as it turns out, we didn't end up painting in class today so my previous post about painting Hyuna will have to wait. Instead we practiced collage techniques using different ways of transferring drawings and photo images onto paper. Similar to techniques I've seen used in 'Altered Art'.
Altered art is basically a form of 'glamorous collage' that doesn't just apply to paper or canvas, but anything you want, for example 'altered books' and 'altered jewelery' are very popular and quite stunning aesthetically. Altered art usually focuses on making whatever you're creating look vintage and elegant as well as intricate. Two things I've seen reoccurring in this form of collage are old black and white and sepia photos (usually of women) and ink stamps.

Whenever I go to craft shows I always see women selling ink stamps for collage work, and look at their examples of old forgotten books (normally hard cover) that have been turned into delicate masterpieces. I've tried my own take on an altered art book, and still working on it. It's fun to see what you can create from almost nothing and it's great for just experimenting and having fun with different mediums. To really see what I mean I found a video on youtube showing how one woman made a very beautiful mini photo frame from slide mounts. You can find a lot more on youtube but not all of the 'crafters' displaying what they've made have filmed in good quality, and some just talk for 20 minutes without even showing what they made. So here's just one example. Hopefully i'll have some photos of my own altered art to upload soon.

     

Hyuna, Pre painting sketch.

A 10 minute pre-painting sketch of Korean singer Hyuna which I'm planning on using for a school painting project in the morning. If I don't end up using it I'll just develop it further into a proper portrait.  

Abbotsford Convent (Photography Excursion 2012)

Some of the building photos I took on an excursion earlier on in the year to the Abbotsford Convent. (Some slight photoshop tweaking). More to come in future posts.

Fallen Roses

Some sentimental photography. I explained more about it here:  http://souljester.deviantart.com/art/Fallen-Roses-294818919

Recycling Nostalgia

While out shopping yesterday I came across a new product by cosmetic brand 'My Beauty Spot'; a small set of pocket 'matchbox nail files'. Immediately I was reminded of 'REDHEADS' matches. As a kid with the numerous birthdays and birthday cakes, we would always light the candles with 'Redheads' matches. Never used any other brand. Looking at the packet of nail files in the store I started comparing the designs and how whoever created the front of the nail file packet captured and recreated the Redheads packet into a new design, knowing that many people would recognise the interpretation and be more inclined to purchase it due to the 'nostalgia' of its design, much like how I was. 

Images are always being reused and recycled, whether it's in art, fashion, advertisement and so forth. I love the way the nail files have been made to look like matches, not only by mimicking the look of Redheads, but the packet has been designed like the little individual matchbox packets gentlemen used to carry in their pockets to light cigarettes with before lighters. The character on the front has been made to appeal to a younger female audience, perhaps between 13 and 25, the pink instantly draws the attention of younger teens, but the character herself is a glamed up Rockabilly inspired design with a 1950's 'victory roll' hair style and bombshell makeup, which is what gets the attention of older teens and women in their early twenties. Plus adding the black to the design helps take it a step down from 'girly' and a step up to 'chic'. I'm not a graphic designer or a typographer but I think the style and design has pulled together well.

It's a big change from the classic Redheads deign off flat mat colouring with a clean and simple design. Well, both products have a pretty simple design, however while the 'Nail Head' nail files have a more modern look to them, the Redheads are more retro and saucy like the female heroins of 70's comics and cartoons.       

Another thing I noticed that the two products have in common is their use of double meanings. Seeing as they are both products of advertisement they have to grab the audiences attention, and what better way to grab a persons attention than by using sexual innuendo! Aside from the fact both products include the word 'head' (when neither product has any use for the cranium), the Redheads matches are described on the front as "Longer, Thicker..."and are shown on the front of the box as pretty upstanding. Funny, looks like in the world of matches size is an issue for competition. The 'Nail Head' nail files have a more direct slogan; "Get Nailed...!!!". A strange encouragement from a nail product, but I got a giggle out of it.

It's true when they say 'Sex Sells!', and this has gotten me thinking of new projects to work on and develop revolving around the topic of sex in advertisement, old and new.                 

Fashion Shoot 2010 'Cosmic Nebular'

Here are some photos I took back in 2010; A Sci-Fi themed costume designed and made by me as part of my yr 12 fashion folio 'Cosmic Nebular' (c) . Modeled by my dear friend Laura Pearse. This was my first attempt at a proper photo shoot (with a dodgy 5 year old camera that didn't really work anymore, but it more or less did the trick). The photos, as well as meaning to have a 'fashion photography' look about them, are meant to help tell a narrative about an Alien Warrior who lands on Earth in her travels and starts scouting out the deserted industrial location she finds herself in.