Leaf Drawings

paper & leaf photos

idea number one... looking back i actually hate i didn't move more in this kind of direction.

final photo number one

final photo number two

paper & leaf

well, my first design idea is coming to an end. after days and days of working endlessly with paper and leaves, i feel i have come to know exactly what my ideas are and how to convey them.

when i first approached this idea, i saw a lot of japanese cultural influences. bonsai trees and ikebana floral arrangements. cultural ties are always a very early start for me. i also liked the idea of combining the leaf on the paper to make it appear as something natural, like rocks. i took photos of leaves on rocks and began some major brainstorming.

for the second class session i began to play around with paper textures. how to turn just simple computer paper into something that looked aged and carried a rough and ridged texture to it. at this point in my process i also began to less favor the new and green leaves and began to fall in love with the colors, textures, and shapes of the dried old leaves.

i then moved in a direction of combining the paper, now with very realistic textures very similar to leaves through processes of damping the paper, tearing, rubbing on concrete, and even blowing cigarette smoke over the damp paper to give it yellow and brown stains, i played with the idea of making the paper look like the same leaf as the real one. i liked combining this idea of artificial growing just as a leaf would from a plant. i also had this very childish and naive notion of looking at the two items now, and viewing them as roommates. if this leaf had a buddy, what would he be like, was a constant question i began to ask myself as i worked with the paper.

this childish idea was also sparked within me because i felt like a young mind again. i was playing with items in my hands, the sky was the limit on where i could go... i let my imagination take over. it was like playing in my own world again. it began at the point to feel very therapeutic and liberating.

then i feel the last and final step process came when i choose the holly leaf to be my favorite. i like the scary points at the end. i began to study the leaf, and i started to wonder about his personality. i saw the holly as standoffish and reclusive. so i began to play on the idea of his home, what would he want to live in, and through earlier texture ideas and playing off earlier ideas, i finally found the fit.

the showing is tomorrow. i feel proud in my work. it was a road that was not always easy, but i feel i have grown to know my creative process a lot better. i hope to have photos up soon.

drafting... so lost.

this drafting section is taking me for a hard ride. i am not understanding or feeling like i am doing well in this section at all. i hate not being able to get this, but it really has me confused. my lines all seem off, my pencil lines are way to dark... hell, i am even having trouble picking a song to use.

it has me really stressed too. i have been working at my job, and trying to do this as well. i feel kinda pulled in 900 directions. my mind is all over the freakin' place right now.

the paper-leaf project, the dubbed title i have given it,  i feel much more relaxed and understanding of. i feel that i have a much more "creative" mind then a "technical" mind. believe that is why drafting letters is hard to me. i am already knowing now though, that this is where i am going to have to put extra practice too.

i have put in all i can for this evening i do believe. off to bed... back to the grind in the morning.

today...

i began work on letter drafting today. i can see possible problems here. i have never been an amazing writer when it comes to letters, i have always had "chicken-scratch" and i am still having problems with drawing straight lines, even with a ruler. i am holding out though. this is where i want to be, and this is what i want to do.

corny as it may sound... i am carrying this idea into my paper-leaf project. i like playing with the organic growing from the man-made. i have some beginning ideas that i hope to take even more in-depth.

big changes... so short of time

well, the first week of school is in full gear now... and i am feeling it. this project idea due here, this design idea due there... whew... go, go go. i am not exactly having the easiest time keeping my pace, but i am trying, and content with trying harder and harder. I created my header tonight. tomorrow morning all can see. i am pleased with the design. i still feel i need lots of work with drafting. it's getting late. time to sleep and prepare for tomorrow.

how i find my mojo, man.

when i am looking for something to give my a spark of genius, or in better terms, to inspire me, i look to many things. i find it in friends, nature, television, fashion, music, art and anything else around me that i see beauty in. beauty and inspiration come from so many things... my eyes have to always be open and looking. nothing should be missed.