OFFSET 2013 - Get your tickets !!!!

It's nearly time for OFFSET 2013 in Dublin, I have volunteered to be the main point of contact at Stockport College for information and enquiries on tickets for OFFSET 2013.

OFFSET is on the 5/6 & 7th April at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin.

OFFSET are also offering day tickets and also group booking offers, For further information please contact me at laurasharpe23@hotmail.co.uk or SHA06063089@stockport.ac.uk.  You can also find me in Level 5 Illustration studio on Tuesdays and Fridays.

MISS IT, MISS OUT!!!!

Further Blue Peter Ideas...

The current project I am working on is the 'Here's one I made earlier' activity to be pitched to Blue Peter children's television series.  Since I began researching last week I have faced a few challenges with my selection of materials to use and they way in which they are put together, for example my original idea was 'Junk Puppets' and I bought lots of random DIY parts like screws and springs and began glue gunning! Big mistake though, as I didn't stop to think if the materials were accessible and also a glue gun is a big no no due to health and safety.

I have found it a little challenging making and thinking as a younger person would instead of doing my normal way.  I took a trip to the library and began thinking of alternative things I could make and that would be simple and fun! and so I set to work making a Theatre out of a cardboard box, I will also make 'Peg Puppets' that can be made later to interact with in the Theatre, and also a narrative sheet.

I have also been thinking of other options to make as alternatives.  I am going to make a Tiki Lodge with a Tiki Doll, A Monster and a Nature House with a Leaf Monster or Leaf Fairy, I feel all these things can be created from easily sourced materials from around the house and garden.

Here are some reference images I looked at.

Thing about studios...

I am not sure why, but I really love seeing artists work spaces and studios.  They really intrigue me and I think they say alot about the artist or Illustrator.  When I visited New York last November we went to see Andre Da Loba's studio in Brooklyn...wow!, the studio was like a gallery in itself, cram-packed with things that he had created, made and painted.  I think it's really important to have a personal space where you can just be creative and feel relaxed.

I have my own little art room where I keep all my things that I make, things I collect, paints and strange oddities that may be used one day for a project!.  I found these pictures the other day via Face book for Lia Kent who is a visual artist that works in mixed media alot.  I went crazy over the pictures of her studio and things that are in her studio, it made me realise how dull and boring my room looks! So I now feel inspired to spruce it up when I finish for summer!.

I also loved the 'inspiration board' - what a great idea!

This is the link to her page https://www.facebook.com/ArtJunk

Sarah Orenstein

Ever since I discovered Sarah Orenstein's mind blowing 'Windows, Masks & Doors' I have just been blown away by her amazing work, the diverse range in her work is brilliant too.  I made contact with Sarah as I was fascinated to learn about her work and her influences etc, I wasn't sure if I would hear back as I am sure she is very much in demand!.  I was very fortunate to get a reply back from her and found here response very helpful and informative, and most of all very honest and real. (See research file).

Below is some of her beautiful work, and a link to her website http://www.sarahorenstein.com/

Visual World

I have started putting a visual world of my own up in my art room at home, I feel it really helps and inspires me, it's a little random, but they all have a tiny meaning to me!...I have only started it so don't have too much up, but I plan on filling the wall!...

Here's one I made earlier ! (Blue Peter)

This year is flying by!, yesterday we had the choice of 3 briefs to choose from, instantly I was drawn to the making brief, the task is to come up with an idea that can be made on the children's series of Blue Peter.  It's a really exciting and open brief and already my mind is ticking away with ideas!.  This morning we met with Jane who has previously submitted an idea to Blue Peter to be used on the show.  I found the meeting really knowledgeable and it triggered of lots of ideas.

My first concern is that the idea will have been used previously, so I aim to do lots of research and try to be innovative and push the boundaries of instant ideas and try to explore them.  A great idea this morning was looking into historical and folk festivals and linking it into something that can be made and that is educational.  We can also just be playful and do something that is really fun.

I plan to research, research, research and brainstorm ideas, as well as collecting visual reference.  I think getting into budget shops and looking at different materials that are both affordable and accessible and how they can be used will be really beneficial too.

I have a love for stories, characters and worlds so already have thought about puppets, characters, houses or theatre/cinema.

Toad and his Caravan

I am still deciding if I want to make Wind In The Willows or use drawings, so I am still experimenting with both at the moment.  I made Mole's Home, but then I felt inspired to make Toad and his Caravan in a dream like woodland environment.  Here are a few before and after photographs of Toad with his horse and caravan.  I also made a mobile out of of twigs that spells out the name of the story, I thought about hanging it on a tree outside and having it photographed.