Tuesday 12 July 2011
Monday 27 June 2011
Printing at the Bluecoat
As decided upon last Monday we decided to meet up this morning as a group for a session in the Screen Printing studio along with Mike and Lucy (two other volunteers) to share ideas and experiment with design proposals for the poster I suggested we put together to advertise the Bluecoats workshops and courses that are available to the public. As I was aware Hannah Fray was leaving us all the information the school wanted incorporated on the poster and maybe a few design ideas or examples to give us a little idea of what was expected. But upon arrival we came to realise that we were putting this together ourselves from scratch with just the suggestion that we incorporated the Bluecoat logos to advertise the building professionally; these were available for us on the desktop computer.
After slight confusion we began considering many possible ideas which came with a mixture of different opinions and responses from one another but settled upon an idea to get us started. We wanted the 'print making' to have a major input in the design as that is what we are aiming to advertise and so we decided to use the print making facilities for the majority of the poster, keeping the template relatively simple but using a repetitive and layering process to express the equipment available on the courses. I designed the templates for us all to use which was transferred onto a screen...following the process we was previously shown in training; and began printing using brightly mixed colours to grab the viewers attention. The text, fonts and logos would be added in black using computer printing and hand drawing at a later date.
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After slight confusion we began considering many possible ideas which came with a mixture of different opinions and responses from one another but settled upon an idea to get us started. We wanted the 'print making' to have a major input in the design as that is what we are aiming to advertise and so we decided to use the print making facilities for the majority of the poster, keeping the template relatively simple but using a repetitive and layering process to express the equipment available on the courses. I designed the templates for us all to use which was transferred onto a screen...following the process we was previously shown in training; and began printing using brightly mixed colours to grab the viewers attention. The text, fonts and logos would be added in black using computer printing and hand drawing at a later date.
However after experimenting with these numerous prints; overlaying and repeating the process we decided that the idea wasn't working as we would have liked as we didn't have the equipment and materials for the ink to sit well on the page; giving that professional finish. Therefore we decided to scrap this initial idea and start again from scratch, thinking of other ways in which a similar affect could be achieved. At that point ideas wasn't particularly flowing and so we decided to go away and individually put together a few ideas to compare the following week. I personally like the idea of incorporating photography with the print; maybe taking an image of the print making room; showing the facilities provided and transferring that image onto a screen to be printed faintly, preferably monochrome with the text and logos of the Bluecoat added on top. I will put together a moc-up idea of my proposal ready for the group on Monday.
Tuesday 21 June 2011
Dissertation
The thought of writing my dissertation for my upcoming third year is definitely nerve racking; I am far from confident and honestly have no idea where to even begin. As explained in my dissertation proposal I will be basing my essay on 'feminism' as it is the one area that interests me the most in art, linking to most of my own work. However I still need to narrow this subject down to a main focus point and argument to write about and base my writing on as the subject area is far to broad. Therefore today I started my research in the library; searching for books, journals and essays on all aspects of feminism to read through and take notes. The amount of different books available was definitely helpful although it will take longer than one day for me to scan through these and decide on my main interest, therefore I will spent the rest of this week reading through the collection of books I have taken out of the library and hopefully gradually become more confident to begin my writing.
Monday 20 June 2011
Training in the Etching Studio
As arranged last week we met up on Monday 20th June as a group for our second training session: this week in the etching studio. On arrival Hannah was called into a meeting, therefore we was left alone to tackle the technician task list in the print making studio before her return: this was initially challenging as the whole routine and process in the studio is still fresh to us, but looking back through our notes we made the previous week guided us through what needed to be done.
On Hannah's return we gathered to the etching studio to start the session of training; this begun with a briefing over the Health and Safety again as the two other volunteers were not familiar with the rules and regulations that must be noted when in the room. From this we went straight onto the techniques and process of etching a plate alongside the equipment and chemicals, were Hannah demonstrated thoroughly with an example piece. I have done this in the past at college but it was helpful to have the reminder to refresh my memory. It was also interesting to see the different ways in which this technique can be achieved but because there is so much involved in each area of the etching studio a further training day will be arranged before we can use the equipment or guide the classes ourselves.
Once we felt confident after the demonstration; we spoke about the courses that are available to the public alongside the spaces available to hire. There are a number of classes that definitely seem appealing; all of them in fact. However I added that advertising the courses through a computer resource only is not enough as many may not check these web sites...I haven't seen anything on these courses before now which I think is a shame as they all would have definitely been helpful in my own practice. Therefore I offered to design an advertisement poster for the Bluecoat to place throughout Liverpool; especially in student areas, aiming to bring in more people and use the building for what it has to offer. Hannah and Emma seemed more than happy with me doing this and very eager and so this following Monday, I will be working with another member of the print making team 'Mike' to start putting ideas and designs together for the poster.
On Hannah's return we gathered to the etching studio to start the session of training; this begun with a briefing over the Health and Safety again as the two other volunteers were not familiar with the rules and regulations that must be noted when in the room. From this we went straight onto the techniques and process of etching a plate alongside the equipment and chemicals, were Hannah demonstrated thoroughly with an example piece. I have done this in the past at college but it was helpful to have the reminder to refresh my memory. It was also interesting to see the different ways in which this technique can be achieved but because there is so much involved in each area of the etching studio a further training day will be arranged before we can use the equipment or guide the classes ourselves.
Once we felt confident after the demonstration; we spoke about the courses that are available to the public alongside the spaces available to hire. There are a number of classes that definitely seem appealing; all of them in fact. However I added that advertising the courses through a computer resource only is not enough as many may not check these web sites...I haven't seen anything on these courses before now which I think is a shame as they all would have definitely been helpful in my own practice. Therefore I offered to design an advertisement poster for the Bluecoat to place throughout Liverpool; especially in student areas, aiming to bring in more people and use the building for what it has to offer. Hannah and Emma seemed more than happy with me doing this and very eager and so this following Monday, I will be working with another member of the print making team 'Mike' to start putting ideas and designs together for the poster.
Thursday 16 June 2011
Advanced Fine Art Practice
My development for this project has yet to begin. If im going to be honest I have lost all sense of motivation and concentration to even come to think of where to begin. Since finishing the second year of my course alot has happened in my life to distract me from my art work; causing distress and a major change in my life and mind. However I've come to think that this may inspire the next chapter of my studies.
Training in the Print Making Studio
Monday 13th June was the first of the two training days in the Print Making studios with Hannah Fray were we met as a group at 9.30 in the Bluecoat cafe to briefly discuss what we were going to be doing throughout the morning. I instantly was quite nervous as I havn't had much experiece in print making since college unlike the two other volunteers who have studied the subject on their university courses. However I am eager to learn and gain as much experience as I can from this opportunity; hopfully developing my own practice along the way.
Before entering the building as volunteers we had to sign in at the reception desk to keep record on who is entering the building, alongside signing out the keys for both of the print making studios so we are able to access the areas; this has to be done whenever on duty and returned before leaving.
The first day of training was in the 'Silk Screen' printing studio were we went through and discussed all aspects of the job position; starting with the technicians tasks. The primary role of the technician is to support any hirer using the space to expose, clean screens or print; in addition the technician should:
1. Check levels of all chemicals and mix up where necessary.
2. Empty the red tray under the power hose.
3. Clean washout unit.
4. Check exposure unit for dirt on the glass.
5. Check drying cabinet, rack and any dry screens.
6. Check the condition of the screens belonging to the Bluecoat.
7. Check the condition of the squeegees belonging to the Bluecoat.
8. Check aluminium coating tool is present and clean.
9. Chuck out dried up or unlabelled inks and tidy up shelves.
10. Check over the beds, removing any tape.
11. General Stuff: Clean and sweep up, bring the notice board up to date, tidy the drying rack, clean the sink in the printing room.
12. Leave a note on the board for Print Studio Manager if you need to report damage or advising her to re-order anything we are low on.
Once shown and understood the upcoming job position Hannah Fray went through an example of how to use all of the equipment to create a basic print. This was definetly helpful as it refreshed my memory straight away and I now feel confident to repeat the process myself.
Training for the 'Etching' Studio will take place on Monday 20th June.
Before entering the building as volunteers we had to sign in at the reception desk to keep record on who is entering the building, alongside signing out the keys for both of the print making studios so we are able to access the areas; this has to be done whenever on duty and returned before leaving.
The first day of training was in the 'Silk Screen' printing studio were we went through and discussed all aspects of the job position; starting with the technicians tasks. The primary role of the technician is to support any hirer using the space to expose, clean screens or print; in addition the technician should:
1. Check levels of all chemicals and mix up where necessary.
2. Empty the red tray under the power hose.
3. Clean washout unit.
4. Check exposure unit for dirt on the glass.
5. Check drying cabinet, rack and any dry screens.
6. Check the condition of the screens belonging to the Bluecoat.
7. Check the condition of the squeegees belonging to the Bluecoat.
8. Check aluminium coating tool is present and clean.
9. Chuck out dried up or unlabelled inks and tidy up shelves.
10. Check over the beds, removing any tape.
11. General Stuff: Clean and sweep up, bring the notice board up to date, tidy the drying rack, clean the sink in the printing room.
12. Leave a note on the board for Print Studio Manager if you need to report damage or advising her to re-order anything we are low on.
Once shown and understood the upcoming job position Hannah Fray went through an example of how to use all of the equipment to create a basic print. This was definetly helpful as it refreshed my memory straight away and I now feel confident to repeat the process myself.
Training for the 'Etching' Studio will take place on Monday 20th June.
Health & Safety Check at The Bluecoat
My second meeting at the Bluecoat was on Monday 2nd May to go through the Health and Safety regulations in my working area and throughout the building. I also got the chance to witness an etching class in progress and look through some of the works produced by the teachers themselves; which gave a clearer picture on what can be produced with the equipment in the building and instantly made me much more interested in taking my own work further in print making. Once we had spoke through all aspects of the job role and the safety we agreed that I would be working alongside Hannah and Emma every Monday and hopfully develop into a perminent placement.
Whilst in the building I took the opportunity to talk to another volunteer whos role is in the art gallery in the building; basically there for the public if they have any queries or questions about the work on show and to keep the area in order. This seemed interesting as I myself would like to be around gallerys and art work a little more to become more knowledged on the range of work out there; this also may help me to develop my own practice and so I also applied for this position for a Monday evening where I would also help with upcoming events.
Whilst in the building I took the opportunity to talk to another volunteer whos role is in the art gallery in the building; basically there for the public if they have any queries or questions about the work on show and to keep the area in order. This seemed interesting as I myself would like to be around gallerys and art work a little more to become more knowledged on the range of work out there; this also may help me to develop my own practice and so I also applied for this position for a Monday evening where I would also help with upcoming events.
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