Silk Museum photographs that I took x

Silk Museum

During the summer holidays, I visited the Silk Museum in Macclesfield and I have finally uploaded the pictures!
I enjoyed the history of the place and during the tour it was so interesting.
I couldn't believe the working conditions that the workers had to face. The place was so loud and cramped when all the machines were working.
It was a great visit to me as it fits in with my love of fashion and history.

'This Is It!'

On the 19th of October 2009, I went to see Michael Jacksons 'This is it'.
I was amazed with the film but I was inspired at some of the costumes for 'Thriller'. A Georgian woman but really dark and theatrical.
There were also some fantastic illustrations by his fashion designer of him, which I have mentioned in previous posts.

Watch this space for my own... xxx

There are things known...

I have taken the famous quote from Jim Morrison- my idol- and written it in old fashioned hand, on a tea stained canvas and tied it in string, just for ideas for my door project...
The Doors... a Door... haha x

There are things known...

'There are things known and there are things unknown... and in between are the Doors.'
-Jim Morrison.
1943-1971.

Own Drawing

Carrying on with me 'obsession' lol, I decided to create something that is rather different from what I normally draw.
This is a soldier, drawn on top of a tea stained piece of paper,in silhouette and then I used ink to create the central shape. I then burned the outside side and splattered ink over it to give it that old fashioned look... I think it works rather well.

1940s Postcards x

Again, these are a few of other postcards that I purchased.
I love the way they were drawn as I have a love of fashion and the meanings behind them.
I would like to use these in my work in the future- or at least have them as an inspiration.

Postcard

This is a postcard from the 1st WW and it seems to me that it has just captured the mood and what life was like during that time.
I love the silhouettes of the soldiers and that you don't know where they are going.

Ration Books

Here are 2 ration books that I purchased myself form the Imperial War Museum.
They are quite a source of inspiration for me and my work- especially with the group project at the moment.

War Illustrations

Here are 2 drawings I did the other night. They are not like my 'usual' style.
As I have mentioned in previous blogs, I have a great love of the 2nd World War.
To tie in with the collaborations project a big theme running throughout it is the 2nd WW and I decided to include some illustrations.
The top one is a factory and I did that using stippling with ink and pen. I am rather pleased with the outcome as it is something that I would never have done before. It took me 5 minutes to do.
The gas mask is done in the same manner and again did not take me a long time to do.
I find that when I draw something with not a specific thing in mind to do- it turns out pretty well.

Animation xx

This is my animation I did for my last project.
I haven't been very confidant in the past when using i-stop so when we were told that we were going to do a project I was slightly nervous about it. (Myself and technology are not the best of friends!)
But when I sat in front of the camera etc, I actually had fun. I managed to have a play around with numerous materials and also include my drawing skills.
I am rather happy with the outcome, I think the music fits in with it perfectly- MJ again- and I would like to carry on and do something else.

Michael Jackson...

I seem to be obsessed with this guy!
I went to see 'This is it' and was so amazed.
The costumes used in the film is absolutely amazing and there was some also fantastic drawings of him done by the fashion designer. I cannot find them at this moment in time, but in the mean time, I adore these illustration's.
Really simple, limited colour and strong lines... I LOVE 'EM!

Tina Berning

Recently I have been looking more in depth at the beauty of illustrations that I have not look at in the past.
One illustrator I have become almost obsessed with is Tina Berning. I do not know too much about her as a person but I adore her work. Not the somewhat 'finished' work, but the 'rough' images she produces.
This is one of my favourites.
She uses very lose lines and she also uses different types of materials on the same image.
I love how she draws on random bits of paper... I find this way of working so inspiring that I have already been experimenting in my own time using this method.

Edie Sedgwick

Edie Sedgwick.
Icon of the '60s. Andy Warhol's muse.
I am also interested in the 1960's fashion and she is my idol of that period (besides Jim Morrison).
Her look and stance is lovely...

Julie Verhoeven for Mulberry

When I was given the brief for the Mulberry task, I instantly thought of Julie Verhoeven as she is one of my favourite fashion illustrators.
Here is an image that she used for Mulberry which indeed gave me my inspiration for that particular brief.

More Barbara Hulnicki Illustartions

Now I have a taste for these illustrations, I am finding them everywhere.
I am very fond of these.


Barbara Hulnicki for TopShop.

Fabulous Illustration

Marie Antoinette by Barbara Hulanicki.
I found this image whilst browsing through the internet. It is very my 'cuppatea'.
I also did not know that Babara Hulanicki illustrated.
I love the thick black lines and messy approach- such an inspiration.

The Regency

The Regency and the Georgian era are my favorite in history. I adore the fashion, the way of life, the architecture and the poetry. (Lord Byron and Shelly).
This era is such an inspiration to me and my work and I would love to incorporate them in my illustration work... watch this space! LoL.

Marrakesh- Morocco

About 2 years ago I visited Marrakesh in Morocco. It was fantastic.
Extremely inspiring and very interesting culture.

Marilyn Monroe

William Travilla.
Travilla was a fashion designer who designed Marilyn Monroe's gowns and dresses.
He also illustrated his own designs on Marilyn- they are beautiful. So delicate yet so detailed.

A Favourite Book of mine, which I cannot put down!

Colin and Eileen Townsend. 1989. War Wives. A Second World War Anthology. Grafton Books. Great Britain.
(Not actual book cover from book.)

Imperial War Museum- 20/09/09

Prisoners of War Exhibition.
On the 20th September I visited the Imperial War Museum in Manchester.
I have never been there before and I had 'itchy' feet and wanted to go out for the day with my family.
I have always been fascinated by the 2nd World War, may it be the fashion, make-up and how life was in general.
What also was extremely interesting and yet also disturbing was the main exhibition in the museum. Prisoners of War Exhibition.
I have recently found out that a close uncle was a P.O.W in Burma, which was upsetting.
Whilst there, I took notes, picked up leaflets and basically just absorbed everything around me.

David Downton

By David Downton.
Historical influence. Beautiful soft line using media which I am very fond of using. Ink.
Not very detailed facial features- reminds me of my animation that I am doing at the moment.

Julie Verhoeven- a favourite of mine!

Julie Verhoeven is a huge inspiration to me.
Here is one image which which I have always adored and I think shows what kind of illustrator she is.
I can see her inspiration for fine artist Egon Schiele in her work, by the fine and sometimes incomplete lines when drawing the figures.
I especially love the use of colour in Verhoeven's work, it has a very 1960's feel to it and I like the distorted feel she has towards the body.

Egon Schiele

Edwardian Period.
Egon Schiele is one of Julie Verhoeven's inspirations. I have touched upon Schiele in the past so I have always been familiar with him so I find it exciting to find out that my favourite fashion illustrator likes another of my favourites!
Schiele was born in the year 1890 and died in 1919.
I am just going to briefly talk about life, for example music and fashion, in his day...
During this time, the 1st World War was happening.
Other artists in this period were, Kandinsky, Picasso and Matisse.
Jazz music was becoming very popular during this time also.
Titanic disaster in 1912.
Fashion was very elegant, especially the evening gowns that the women used to wear. The 'S' shaped corset was extremely popular in this time.