Life is a Happy Shed: Today Is Indeed a Happy Shed

or, alternatively:
How to Get Annie Chillingworth To Stop Talking

Today was definitely productive. I first did a drawing for my sketchbook this morning. Not very inspiring, but if, like me, you've barely drawn for 40 years, it's something you have to make yourself do.

Photography Project

Next I researched some images for my photography project. Using photoshop, I am planning to superimpose some strong black and white images of Imani and Jai over detailed backgrounds.

I was initially inspired to do this through looking at the work of Loretta Lux, who's exaggerated photographs of children are both serenely beautiful and slightly disturbing.

Although her backgrounds are very plain, and the overall palette is generally quite pastel, I began thinking about using her sort of imagery, but putting it on a much more detailed background, ala Frida Kahlo:

I then also looked at chinoiserie as a possible background as it's a style I particularly love:

Likewise, Van Gogh's Blossoms are quite similar and really beautiful

Finally, on this note, two of my favourite brands also borrow heavily from chinoiserie:

Arizona Iced teas and...

The artist Anahata Katkin, who's created the international brand Papaya around her designs:

http://www.anahataart.com/

So that was fun.

Pathway Project: Face Value

Then, after lunch, things just got even better.

For my interpretation of Face, I am looking at face value. Firstly I'm looking at it in literal form, rendering a cast face in five different finishes:

papier mache
diamante
fabric
porcelain
gold leaf

The diamente face is partly inspired by Damien Hirst's Skull. I was lucky enough to view it this summer when it was just me and the guard in a darkened room.

I found it really beautiful and much less tacky than it appears in photographs:

The fabric covered face will be inspired by the work of Bryony Jennings, whose animals I really love.

Now, I obviously need a face to work on, so I chose Annie's. (And she was a great model. And, although hates being massaged, might consider mud wraps from now on):

It was a very soothing process, gently spreading mud rock over her face (although obviously not an exercise for the claustrophobic) and I hope that we'll end up with a great mould from which to work.