Thursday, September 17, 2009

2D 3D desktop virtual prototype thing

Applying the images to a 3D design was suggested by a friend of mine. These photos show a virtual mock up made from printed illustrations, spray mounted to foam board. 
The immediate problem with the design is that as a desktop item, it demands a function simply because it takes up a large space on a table.

This is a nice problem to have because it always bothered me slightly that what I have been creating is decorative fine art; subject to dismissal in more cash strapped times. As someone once put it, it's nice to make something useful (even if it is still ridiculously ornate).




The design creates four 'rooms' which got me excited about having a house full of slightly sinister things going on; tentacle like vines creeping from the wardrobe, crocodiles crawling out from the toilet. The illustrations will definitely change as I develop the 'thing' into a more functional appliance. I'm thinking lamp stand....? 
Designs created in Illustrator:




Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Mixed Media Marquetry Silhouettes















"Here kitty kitty"   
1940's wallpaper, dyed Sycamore and reused frame

This project began around March this year when I began collecting vintage wallpaper with a vague but growing idea of using found pattern to create mixed media marquetry. As a trained marquetarian (using the modern technique of laser cutting the inlays) I know the medium reasonably well and am confident of the design process.
Using experience from past work and my fine art background I plan to combine my illustrations with pattern in order to create a reinterpretation of the craft of marquetry.

Marquetry is the craft of covering a structural carcass with pieces of veneer forming decorative patterns, designs or pictures.
wikipedia.org/wiki/Marquetry   
 
The images are rooted in a retreat to a state of innocent wonder and nature. Fairy tale-esque scenes deal with themes of solitude, child-like imagination and the promise of adventure and possibly danger.
Several characters are involved in various states of wonder or peril as elements of nature clash with understood spaces of safety (the home); or possibly in adventurous children’s cases: confinement (the house).  
I have around 10 complete designs. The pictures below show the first finished picture titled "Here kitty kitty" which served as a test to find problems with the technique of mixing the unconventional materials.