Odilia Bird FDA

Skylarks Nature reserve: For this research trip I went to Skylarks Nature reserve and walked through the forest, while doing this I also took sound recordings of my surroundings. while walking I found myself fascinated by the way the sunlight was shining through the trees and hitting the forest floor and creating these spotlights. There was something ethereal about it and I found myself feeling at peace. I'm defiantly interested in exploring  different way to experiment with and capture light within my work. I have done this before with cyanotypes and would be willing to use cyanotypes again, or perhaps projection. 

 Experimentation with oil paints: One of my goals for my final year is to improve upon the more fundamental and traditional aspects of fine art, mainly painting and drawing. I have always tended to lean more towards abstract and modern art and I haven't put as much time and thought into the more fundamental parts of art. This is second attempt at ever using oil paints. I worked from a photograph that I had taken at the Attenborough Nature Reserve and I did this without following any tutorials or instructions. I wanted to see how well I would do without any help and using my own instincts to guide me. I believe that I have done a decent job considering I have very minimal experience with oil painting. My favourite things about this piece is the depth and texture that I have managed to get on the trees and bushes, and the reflection in the water. I think that they have real character to them and I love the way the clouds reflected in the water makes it seem as if they are floating in...

 Artist research: Wilhelmina Barnes Graham Wilhelmina Barnes Graham was a Scottish abstract artist born in 1912 in St Andrews and died 2004, she was a member of the Penwith society of arts.  Grahams piece 'Glacier' painted between 1951 and 1977 is an abstracted scene of blues, greens and whites blending and merging with each other to create the image of an imposing ice structure. the darker blues and highlights of white allow a sense of depth and perspective within the work and I think that the use of blue and green help to invoke a cold, chilling feeling throughout the painting. When looking at this piece I think that the harsh and jagged line that make up the face of the glacier paired with the pale tones of the sky create a bleak and desolate feeling within the work. The front of the left glacier looks as if it is crumbling apart and the over hang of the right seems precarious, as if it could fall at any moment. Which I think provides in interesting contrast ...

  Attenborough Nature Reserve: To begin my project I decide do do some photography around Attenborough nature reserve, I walked around the different lakes and ponds, observed the animals and immersed myself in the nature that I found there. I managed to get many successful images and I was constantly adjusting the aperture and F stop to accommodate for the change in light and surroundings.  When looking at this image I really love how the the different shades and tones of green seem to merge and blend in together, causing the red leaves of the tree stand out and provide a contrast to the rest of the image. I believe that the willow tree is the focal point of this image, and I think that this adds a mystical element to the piece as willow trees are seen as sacred, magical and connected to the Goddess Brigid within Irish folklore and mythology. I think that the water towards the bottom of the image provides a soothing feature within the image, it adds a sense of calm and tranqui...

Small experimentation with colour: For the beginning of my project I wanted to experiment a little bit with different colours and see what kind of colour scheme I wanted have for this project. At first I did a mixture of more autumn colours like orange, brown, red and yellow. And them I did fresher colours such as blue, green and purple. When comparing the two colours schemes I defiantly like them both, however, I believe that the lighter and fresher blues and greens appeal to me more. When looking at them I am reminded of rivers, ponds, algae and Lilly pads.

Initial ideas and starting base: To start this project I took the time to do some brain storming. I know that I want to focus on the natural world, but I thought that it would be good to sit down and write out my ideas and see how they develop.

Project proposal: BA Final year: An exploration of the natural world: For this project I wish to explore the beauty and intricacies of the natural world around me. I have always been fascinated by nature and the way in which it is beautiful and powerful but often overlooked by most. Within my own art practice I find myself gravitating towards natural themes and colours, often using a combination of greens, blues and earthy tones to create bodies of work. As well as using photography as a way to document my hikes, and journey through the world around me. For my final piece last year I created three digital collages representing my journey from sickness to health, and the work I had to put in to make that happen. They displayed positive affirmations overlapped with scenic views photographed on hikes that I was healthy enough to do again. For this project I would like explore the power of the natural world and my place within it. I would like to touch on themes of spirituality, myster...