I am currently studying an MA in Fine Art. Within my current body of work, I am attempting to push my abilities as an artist, by undertaking new challenges, whilst creating abstract collages.
When I began my MA, I was unsure of what I wanted to work on as my new project, but through trial and error, and constant research I am finding my way. I come from more of a realism background, so tackling abstraction was both exciting and daunting. I began by taking studies of things around me, like the coats on the back of my door, and attempted to play and abstract them.
Whilst researching I looked at various artists and movements, early on I was very inspired by Pop Art (I still am, but I now feel more inspired by the colours than the subject). Through this research I stumbled upon 1920’s and 30’s abstract art, which ended up sending me down a new path. I began to create pieces digitally, as I was struggling to get the outcome I wanted with acrylic paint. This opened new doors for me in terms of possibilities that I could use in my portfolio and further artworks. I still have a LOT to learn about digital art, but I feel the pieces I have created so far, show potential.
I began to play with the idea of collage, and really enjoyed the results. Through more research, I acquired more and more ideas, and ways I could go. I have begun to work on collages that are almost odes to my childhood.
So far in my work I have explored many mediums and processes, but I still have so much I want to try. I am looking forward to further pushing and refining my skills. I have begun to archive photos, notes, documents, anything that I feel I could use in my work, and I plan to continue to build on this. I envisage myself continuing with collage and finding a way to hybrid physical painting with digital.