Just a quick post to say...
I've been selected as one of the three finalists from New Designers Part One to be in the Absolut Blank competition!
Very excited about this, had no idea I would be selected. I'm painting my design on a 6ft (!) canvas onThursday 28th June (next Thursday) so if you interested, come and have a look!
Got to drum up so ideas about where to go with it....I have a few ideas floating around!
I will let you know how it goes.
Sunday 24 June 2012
Tuesday 19 June 2012
There's no business like end-of-year-show-business
It has come around fast but its the end of my degree. Its been an amazing and rewarding time and I have learnt a lot from it!
Last week we put up the end of year show at Somerset College. It was a frantic few days, and I did have a moment of panic I'll admit, but it's up now and ready for the public.
If you'd like to visit its on until Thursday 21st June at Somerset College, Wellington Road, Taunton.
Here's a photo of my space:
I will be posting more in my next blog.
My infamous chair in the space!
Very satisfying to see it finally up on the wall. I feel like I've been looking at it for so long now I can't really see it for what it is, it's not fresh to me anymore.
But I'm really looking forward to moving onto the next thing and developing what I've gained from this year.
Watch this space!
Last week we put up the end of year show at Somerset College. It was a frantic few days, and I did have a moment of panic I'll admit, but it's up now and ready for the public.
If you'd like to visit its on until Thursday 21st June at Somerset College, Wellington Road, Taunton.
Here's a photo of my space:
I will be posting more in my next blog.
My infamous chair in the space!
Very satisfying to see it finally up on the wall. I feel like I've been looking at it for so long now I can't really see it for what it is, it's not fresh to me anymore.
But I'm really looking forward to moving onto the next thing and developing what I've gained from this year.
Watch this space!
Inspiration
So.......
One of the most common questions people ask me and I'm sure any other artists/designers out there will agree is where do you get your inspiration from.
Of course this can be a very complicated question. And for me the simple answer is: everything, everyone, everywhere!
But I thought I'd give a more specific answer in this blog.
As you may have noticed, my work is about colour. And not just any colour, not shy pastels and retiring greys (although they do have their uses...) but full on, in your face, unapologetic colour.
One of the ways I get inspired to work with colour is through putting on my 'colour vision' goggles and trying to focus on the colours around me. The past year I have been inspired by the colour palettes of films.
It might seem a bit vague to say I get colour from films. But from the right films, where every frame is considered in detail to set an atmosphere that fits with the films' vision, becomes easy to translate to a design.
For example, here are some images from films by one of my all time favourite directors (this man is a genius) Wes Anderson:
These are from The Darjeeling Limited. Funny, weird and always poignantly sad, his films are a visual treat.
Here's some images from his films The Life Aquatic, The Royal Tenenbaums. and his most recent film, Moonrise Kingdom, which I looked forward to seeing. From the trailers, it promises to be his weirdest yet.
Each frame is gloriously filed with considered colour. He has managed to make an iconic image out of the blue jacket and red hats from The Life Aquatic, for example.
Another film, or in fact films, which is not quite as serious but definitely worth a mention in terms of colour inspiration is...you guessed it, Kung Fu Panda 1 and 2.
As they are both animated cartoons, the colour is un-inhibited by the real world completely. (As well as being a really awesome film about a really awesome panda!).
Some of the images are screen shots so not great quality I'm afraid but I think the colours still come through. What a great start to a project!
I guess I'm trying to say that inspiration can come from anywhere, and the more unusual or obscure the better. So look for it in unexpected places!
One of the most common questions people ask me and I'm sure any other artists/designers out there will agree is where do you get your inspiration from.
Of course this can be a very complicated question. And for me the simple answer is: everything, everyone, everywhere!
But I thought I'd give a more specific answer in this blog.
As you may have noticed, my work is about colour. And not just any colour, not shy pastels and retiring greys (although they do have their uses...) but full on, in your face, unapologetic colour.
One of the ways I get inspired to work with colour is through putting on my 'colour vision' goggles and trying to focus on the colours around me. The past year I have been inspired by the colour palettes of films.
It might seem a bit vague to say I get colour from films. But from the right films, where every frame is considered in detail to set an atmosphere that fits with the films' vision, becomes easy to translate to a design.
For example, here are some images from films by one of my all time favourite directors (this man is a genius) Wes Anderson:
These are from The Darjeeling Limited. Funny, weird and always poignantly sad, his films are a visual treat.
Here's some images from his films The Life Aquatic, The Royal Tenenbaums. and his most recent film, Moonrise Kingdom, which I looked forward to seeing. From the trailers, it promises to be his weirdest yet.
Each frame is gloriously filed with considered colour. He has managed to make an iconic image out of the blue jacket and red hats from The Life Aquatic, for example.
Another film, or in fact films, which is not quite as serious but definitely worth a mention in terms of colour inspiration is...you guessed it, Kung Fu Panda 1 and 2.
As they are both animated cartoons, the colour is un-inhibited by the real world completely. (As well as being a really awesome film about a really awesome panda!).
Some of the images are screen shots so not great quality I'm afraid but I think the colours still come through. What a great start to a project!
I guess I'm trying to say that inspiration can come from anywhere, and the more unusual or obscure the better. So look for it in unexpected places!
Chair-iness
So.......
I thought I'd share with you my chair journey, or chairney?! Because it's been quite a big part of my shows both in Somerset and London.
I was looking for something to upholster with my bright ink fabric, and I wanted it to be a bit different than your average armchair. So armed with a minimal budget I scoured the shops of Taunton and they didn't disappoint.
I managed to find this old bar stool in a second hand shop. By the markings underneath the seat I believe it might have come for the military base not far outside of Taunton. It must have seen some action!
Here is the original chair:
I think you'll agree, not all that exciting, but I had big plans for it.
Although it is a bar stool, it could be used as a kitchen stool, etc.
Unfortunately it decided to rain solidly for the next week so I was forced to paint it in the shed. I chose a French Grey to set off the colours in the fabric. I wanted it to be quite dark so quite a few coats were required.
After painting it I took it to a very nice local man who upholstered it for me. His name is Dave and he was very helpful and made sure that I was getting exactly what I wanted. Here is the final result:
I'm really pleased with the end result. The chair has been transformed! I really like how the fabric works on the back. I think the grey works well with the colours of the fabric.
Now I've got the buzz I feel like I want to upholster more things with my fabric. It's really satisfying seeing a design come to life and be used for its original purpose.
The chair is for sale for £260. it is one off, bespoke, one of it's kind. Contemporary, bright, exciting. Any interest please email me at: polly_taylor@hotmail.co.uk
I thought I'd share with you my chair journey, or chairney?! Because it's been quite a big part of my shows both in Somerset and London.
I was looking for something to upholster with my bright ink fabric, and I wanted it to be a bit different than your average armchair. So armed with a minimal budget I scoured the shops of Taunton and they didn't disappoint.
I managed to find this old bar stool in a second hand shop. By the markings underneath the seat I believe it might have come for the military base not far outside of Taunton. It must have seen some action!
Here is the original chair:
I think you'll agree, not all that exciting, but I had big plans for it.
Although it is a bar stool, it could be used as a kitchen stool, etc.
Unfortunately it decided to rain solidly for the next week so I was forced to paint it in the shed. I chose a French Grey to set off the colours in the fabric. I wanted it to be quite dark so quite a few coats were required.
After painting it I took it to a very nice local man who upholstered it for me. His name is Dave and he was very helpful and made sure that I was getting exactly what I wanted. Here is the final result:
I'm really pleased with the end result. The chair has been transformed! I really like how the fabric works on the back. I think the grey works well with the colours of the fabric.
Now I've got the buzz I feel like I want to upholster more things with my fabric. It's really satisfying seeing a design come to life and be used for its original purpose.
The chair is for sale for £260. it is one off, bespoke, one of it's kind. Contemporary, bright, exciting. Any interest please email me at: polly_taylor@hotmail.co.uk
Absolut Competition 2012
So.......
As part of the New Designers partnership team, Absolut Vodka launch a competition each year for the students attending. The idea is 'Aboslut Blank', to have a blank template which is the shape of the Absolut bottle, and artists and designers put their mark on it and make it their own.
I decided to enter this competition as I have admired the work of the Absolut Blank artist before and I think my designs apply well to the philosophy behind Absolut.
So I spent a very happy afternoon making a big mess on the floor of my house (much to my housemates horror!)
Here are some of my more successful ideas:
A little drop of poison...
Playing with colour...
I am really happy with the results. I tried to play around with different compositions, using lots of ink on the page, then not much. All designs were created with acrylic based inks. I like the way they express the energy and dynamism that went into their creation.
The competition entries are being reviewed as I write this so fingers crossed for the shortlist!
Unfortunately the prize is not to have your design put into production on a bottle....which would be my dream come true! Instead its £500 of vouchers and the press coverage and prestige that comes with such a competition. Of course this is still an amazing prize!
Wish me luck!
As part of the New Designers partnership team, Absolut Vodka launch a competition each year for the students attending. The idea is 'Aboslut Blank', to have a blank template which is the shape of the Absolut bottle, and artists and designers put their mark on it and make it their own.
I decided to enter this competition as I have admired the work of the Absolut Blank artist before and I think my designs apply well to the philosophy behind Absolut.
So I spent a very happy afternoon making a big mess on the floor of my house (much to my housemates horror!)
Here are some of my more successful ideas:
A little drop of poison...
I am really happy with the results. I tried to play around with different compositions, using lots of ink on the page, then not much. All designs were created with acrylic based inks. I like the way they express the energy and dynamism that went into their creation.
The competition entries are being reviewed as I write this so fingers crossed for the shortlist!
Unfortunately the prize is not to have your design put into production on a bottle....which would be my dream come true! Instead its £500 of vouchers and the press coverage and prestige that comes with such a competition. Of course this is still an amazing prize!
Wish me luck!
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