Bethany Russell project 2

July 25

I finished up my project this week. I finished up all the detail work. I added in the pearls, leaves, and yarn. On the last project, I beaded the top layer of felt and then felted it on. For this one, I beaded into the finished sculpture. It was harder to get things precise. I think for this type of project it was the right choice, but if I want closer beading on future projects, I will want to bead it before putting it on again. 

 I also put in a dark brown for eyes, and some darker tones. I added some color variety in the chest part, and tried to tidy up the lose strands. I found a candleholder to mount the project on, so I had to make a hole on the bottom to make room for the top to rest in. 

I ended up using a more simple color inventory than I had originally planned on, but I like that the pink in the candle holder ties into the pink in the face. I think using a found object reflects Zoë Williams’ style better than my original sketch. Using less colors also reflected her style, but opting for varied color roving made it look more original. I think this sculpture does a better job of conveying symbolism than the last one. Overall, I am very satisfied with the outcome of this project. I can tell that I am improving in the quality of my craft. The biggest improvement I had was the desity of outcome. I also tried a lot of new techniques to combine elements that turned out well.

The main thing I could have improved on in this project is symmetry. It got a little lop sided as I was working on it, but I am not surprised, as this shape was much more complex than the last.

July 20

 This week, I spent a lot of time finishing up the colors and form of my scultpture. I used the curly hair technique on his chest, but found it worked well if I just twisted with my fingers. I still need to go in and add eyes and some darker tones for the nose, but I am in a good place to start adding pearl beads. I used some manufactured felt I had to make the shape of the ears and covered that with the wool. I think I may do this for other details later as well. 

 I looked up some tuotroials on how to thread beads to make 3D shapes. I have been experimenting a little with that, but I think I’ll know better what I want to do once I start adding the beads on. I definately want to put a lot of small ones in the curly hair, and around the face.

July 12

I did some research on armatures this week and found that the most common are styrofoam, foam, wool scraps, wire filled with old sweaters, and dryer balls. I decided to use a dryer ball for my scale, and it works quite well! It doesn’t degrade like foam does.

I also learned that for adding wire structures, you can wrap the wire in pipe cleaner so the wool sicks to it better. I tried this on my lamb’s ears, and it worked out okay.

I saw this technique where you tightly roll wool on a skewer to make curls. I might use this for my fur:

Bethany- I think it great you are pushing the techniques you already know. Keep this up.  Dryer balls can be expensive however- we do have some soft foam that may work. 

This will be due July 28th by 5pm. 

I realized that I could be felting much tighter than on my last project, so it’s been taking more time, but I am pleased with the results. My project is feeling a lot denser and more stable this time. I found some pearls at Walmart that I am excited to use for details and for the grapes. I may use clear beads too, but I don’t want too much contrast

July 7th

https://www.ignant.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/ZWilliams_03-1440x1720.jpg 

For my next project, I wanted to stay in the animal theme. I was inspired by Zoë Williams’ animal sculptures that are primarily white and beaded. 

I like the color and textures created by pearls and reds. This will tie into my last projet by having a biblical theme as well. Lambs are a common symbol in scripture for Jesus, and Jesus give a parable in the New Testament on the “pearl of great price,” or salvation. I want to make a lamb head adorned in pearls. It will have vines made of yarn with grapes made of pearl beads.

I don’t know for sure what I want to do for my BFA, but I know I want to use mixed media and symbolisms.

I think I will mount the head on a stand instead of on a wall so it doesn’t look like a hunted creature, since it is depicting Jesus. 

I want to try and incorporate very smooth felting like the reference above has. I think this will make some nice contrast since the colors will be fairly neutral. I may need to research ways of creating texture in felting to pull this off.  I will need to find a different way of making an armature for this sculpture than the last because it will be a little larger.