Maissa Toulet: Artist

One of my peers introduced me to Maissa Toulet, what can I say!, Maissa Toulet is a french artist who creates characters from found oddities and also makes cabinets of curiosities.  They evoke an eerie feel, but they are also mysterious, secretive, innocent and tell stories in themselves.

I have been looking to Maissa Toulet for influences for the 'Mood & Memory' brief.

To view more of her beautiful work, see  http://www.maissatoulet.fr/

They have a wonderful surreal element to them. 

Mirror Mask

I watched Jim Henson's 'Mirror Mask' yesterday, being a huge fan of Jim Henson's work (in particular Labyrinth) I was naturally drawn to this film.  Mirror Mask is a fantasy film about a girl Helena who feels trapped within the family circus, she draws characters and worlds to escape, however her drawings come to life when she is swept away into a surreal world.

The film gave me some great ideas for my current project 'Mood & Memory' as I am looking to explore dreams and reality and how they cross over with one another into every day to day life.  I also really appreciated how the film is made and the look it has, it's a combination of film, animation, drawing and mixed media.

Dave McKean was the Art Director for 'Mirror Mask' his work is also amazing. Here are some images from the film that I was most drawn to.  There were some beautiful ideas within the film like the mask shop, the clock singers and the small musical box.





 

'Mood & Memory'

I really love this 'Mood & Memory' brief, and I can't leave it alone!.  I have been looking at a few things lately such as elegant jewellery, vintage furniture, interior of rooms and crazy fashion for ideas and influences.
I have also been working in collage a bit too, which is really nice as I don't seem to do much these days compared to when I studied at Foundation level, I really love old ephemera and cutting up books and magazines, it's beautiful to create something from something else!.

Below is my 'Mad House' collage, it's a place where my character lives and below is the 'Eye Cupboard' that I made from a old piece of dolls house furniture.

Sense of Place

I have spent the last week creating a Sense of Place body of work for the 'Mood and Memory' brief about a fictional character I thought I had met!...

Final Book Cover Design

Here is my final 'Wind In The Willows' book cover design.

Mood and Memory brief

Over the Easter break I will be prioritising making a start on the final brief of the second year!. The brief is entitled 'Mood and Memory' and is very open in terms of response (which I love). Initially I was a little unsure how to respond, after speaking with my tutor I began to get lots of ideas. After listening to Gustav Holst's 'The Planets' which is mentioned in the brief, I thought about which planets and meanings stood out to me, I was instantly drawn to Uranus the Magician and Neptune the Mystic, Saturn the bringer of Old-Age and Mercury the Winged Messenger also interest me.

To start with I will begin a 'Sense of Place' and start to research various ideas. I may also explore the idea of visualising a person I wish I had met or a fictional character I remember meeting. Saturn (Old Age) stood out at me as I thought about a tale or story from memory, I may also consider creating a Invented Persona as a route.

I am also in the process of watching Jim Henson's 'Mirror Mask', It's already triggering of loads of crazy ideas!.

Words of Wisdom (123)

As I approach the end of my second year I have been reflecting back over the last year and thinking about the best bits of advice that I  will take with me into my final year of my degree and beyond.

Firstly, one of my tutors who worked with us in the first year simply said ''work hard but enjoy it'' and it's always been on my mind.  I have always work hard on each brief, although I have never really seen it as work as I love what I am doing so much and really enjoy it.

I interviewed a Brooklyn based Illustrator who advised that as an Illustrator it's really important to try new styles, stretch and push yourself in different and unfamiliar directions as long as you stay true to yourself.  GSA brief was a prime example of this for me, I chose a brief with challenging subject matter for a challenge and a change, but I ended up changing and compromising my style to fit the brief.  I feel that it could have been a more successful outcome, had I explored new styles but kept it close to me and remained myself.  The GSA was still a great learning curve for me and I will bare it in mind on future projects.

I also spoke to Illustrator & Maker Vanessa Boer who gave me some very valuable advice about finding your own style in your work, she advised ''try to make as much work as you can....the more work you do, the more your own voice comes through''. Like others, I am always questioning about developing my own style, but I must admit compared to feeling lost in the first year, I am now starting to find my feet!.

Vanessa Boer also mentioned this ''There are so many talented people in our industry, it's the dedication and perseverance that will get you work.  You can make the most beautiful paintings but nobody is coming to find you, you need to get your work out into the world''.  I found this advice to be honest and true, I really think that being pro-active and seeking opportunities will help me as I progress into third year.