Blog — Mallory Donen

art by mallory donen

Glitch Series 01

Since returning home after the completion of my MFA thesis I've been taking it pretty easy and trying to allow myself some sort of break. I've recently completed a new project titled Glitch Series 01, which involved converting a series of digital image glitches (sourced from images generated in Photoshop) into a cross-stitch pattern which was then completed as a cross-stitch work. 

The images used for this project were a series of glitches that occurred one day while I was working on another project in Photoshop. The file that I opened did not appear the way that it was supposed to, instead it was a collaged mashup of several files which I had opened within the past week or so. Instead of dismissing this unexpected moment as a computer failure, I accepted it as a gift. It was as if the computer had gotten frustrated with the overwhelming amount of information and data I had given it within a short span of time and this was its way of materializing that frustration. The computer had spoken and I wanted to savour every last moment of it that I could. 

I proceeded to save and alter these strange glitches that reloaded and occurred each time I saved the file. I adjusted the curves and colourations of some of the images before saving them, in order to enhance the artistic, almost painterly qualities. In the moment it was a highly energized, playful interaction, a constant wave of communication that fluctuated between myself and the computer.

I stored these glitch images in a folder on my hard drive, unsure of my future plans for them. It wasn't until I began integrating cross-stitching into my thesis projects that I realized this is what the glitch series would become. 

I selected 9 cropped sections (below) of the single glitch image (above) to create a series of images that would then be converted into a series of cross-stitches. 

The 9 selected images above were then uploaded onto a website called StitchFiddle.com, where they were converted into cross-stitch patterns. Below are the resulting cross-stitched works.

Each piece is approximately 3.5" x 3.5". I'm still working out the kinks for final display but currently my plan is to frame each digital image with its corresponding cross-stitch partner in a 20" x 20" frame with a double window matte. Below is a rough mock-up of what each of the final pieces will look like framed. 

This project evolved and developed over a long period of time, but I am extremely happy with the results. I wouldn't be surprised if I continue doing more cross-stitch works with a digital aesthetic in the future. 

MFA Thesis Exhibition

Last week our MFA Thesis Exhibition titled 3...2..1.Chaos opened and I defended my thesis I Come From a Long Line of Machines. 

I Come From a Long Line of Machines investigates the repetitive processes of embroidery, finger knitting, digital image-making using Photoshop, and how they are similar in their use of mechanical systems. By engaging in a collaborative process with different machines and tools, I attempt to share control of artistic production. I address notions of artistic authorship, chaos, order, control, infinity, and mechanical repetitive systems. I embrace systematic processes in order to create art that is similar to that of a programmed machine. By doing so I am able to gain perspective into the ways in which machines and humans are alike.

End of Final MFA Semester

Things are starting to get wrapped up quickly over here in Winnipeg. This past week I finished my final semester of my MFA. All that's left is one last revision of my thesis, some finishing touches to get my projects exhibition ready, and then my thesis defence. I'm not going to share lots of photos of the work I'll be showing for the thesis exhibition, cause I'd like to keep it as much of a surprise as possible for those who will be attending.

For next month's post I will be sure to include lots of installation photos of the exhibition! In the meantime, check out the poster we designed for our exhibition, titled "3...2..1.CHAOS". For those that want to attend the exhibition try to come to the opening reception on Friday, May 26 from 6:30-8:30pm. 

On another note, I've been starting other projects now that my thesis work is almost complete. I've started experimenting with digital drawing using an app called Adobe Draw. I got a stylus for Christmas this year and I'm finally starting to get some use out of it, now that I've got more free time. Check out some of my digital drawings below (some of these have been manipulated further in Photoshop). 

Lastly, I've completed another cross-stitch square. It was based off of a computer image glitch that occurred during my hours and hours of digital pattern making. It's the first square of a series of glitch squares that I will be creating. The cross-stitch measures 50x50 squares, which is just under 4"x4". 

Ouroboros

"Ouroboros was a mythical serpent
that swallowed its own tail, an embodied contradiction that must, according to logic, either grow ever larger on its miraculous diet or, just as miraculously, consume itself
and cease to exist."

–George B. Dyson

Ouroboros is a working title for a new work in progress. Yes, you're not imagining it, my yarn is back. This is the same yarn that was used for an old project called #thingsicandowithyarn. 

For this new project I've continued with the finger knitting and added even more length to my continuous strand of knitted yarn. However, I've also re-knitted the yarn through a large-scale version of a french knitting loom. The process is repetitive, obsessive, and cyclical. Just like the ouroboros serpent eating it's tail, the yarn continues to grow and change.  

One Semester Ends and Another Begins

Sorry for the delayed blog post, I know that I am behind by a couple of months. Life has been crazy lately and with the chaos of my school having a strike, it made for an interesting last semester. A couple of weeks ago I wrapped up my Fall semester with two critiques. 

My first critique was for my final Installation project for my elective course. I printed a series of fabric banners, which I then spent two full days hanging/installing with the help of my friend Katherine. I wanted to create an interactive installation that would encourage the viewer to navigate the space, interact, and investigate the all encompassing patterns. 

Next I had my main studio critique, which I forgot to document with my DSLR!!! However, I do still have some images I took with my phone of what I've been working on. I've been trying to create a range of works in which I use different types of machines and tools. I want to draw out the similarities between the ways that computers and artists make art.  

The first project is a woven blanket. I created a complex multilayered pattern in Photoshop and then sent the Jpeg file to a company called PhotoWeavers in North Carolina. The blanket is a jacquard woven throw blanket 53"x70". I am interested in how the results of the final image was almost entirely out of my control. I provided the source information and then the computer/machine generated this magnificently woven image.  

Next, I've been working on a cross-stitching project which I showed as a work in progress for the critique. I began by creating two small squares (19x19 squares), which were very precise, controlled, and spontaneously produced without following a pre-determined pattern. I scanned these two small squares and created digital images in Photoshop to help make a new pattern. I used a website called StitchFiddle to input these digital images, which generated them into cross-stitch patterns.

These new cross-stitch patterns are my guide for two new large squares (100x100 squares). I've been documenting the process by taking a photo after each day of work. I've also been timing each of my work sessions, I'm curious to see how long it will all take me. I've estimated that it will take approximately 125 hours and about 5 weeks. The images below show the development of the first large square over the span of about 2 weeks. If I'm lucky I think I might even finish it in a month! 

As I work on these cross-stitch works I feel like a computer. However, I make mistakes, which I guess is what makes me human. 

Lastly, are some more works in progress and some work I've already posted in a previous blog. These are my instructions works, in which I create a list of instructions before I begin creating a digital artwork in Photoshop. I must follow the instructions, however each instruction is often open to interpretation and can have a range of results. I've also been working on making a book that will demonstrate the range of imagery and possibilities that exist within these instruction works. 

This month I am going to be writing and further developing my thesis paper. At the same time I have several projects on the go including cross-stitching, a book project, as well as a yarn project! Stay tuned for more updates next month :). 

Final Year Begins

Summer has come to an end and it's less than a week until I'm back into the swing of things for my last year of my MFA program. I have mixed feelings of anxiety, stress, and excitement about the upcoming academic year. By June 2017, I will finally be done with school most likely forever or at least for a while. Not sure what my plans are going to be after graduation at the moment. I'll look for post-secondary teaching jobs or possibly apply for artist residencies abroad. But for now I'll be mostly focusing on the year ahead, which means making a concrete body of work for my thesis exhibition and writing my thesis paper.

Check out some of the most recent MFA projects I've been working on. 

Summer MFA Studio Progress

Although I am home in BC for the summer and trying to have as much of a "summer break" as possible, I am still expected to continue working on my MFA studio work and thesis. This is a look into the work I have been creating over the summer. 

First I began by creating source images based on three themes or areas of focus. In my last blog I shared images of the first theme "Leaves/Nature". The other two themes I've been working on are "Ocean Life" and "The Human Body". 

Below are the drawings/paintings I created from referencing a documentary film on ocean life.  

Below are drawings/paintings I created by referencing my Human Anatomy textbook from University. 

With these source images I finally began to work back into Photoshop to create digitally produced works of art.

Below I will show the source images first and then the resulting digital artworks that have been formed from the initial image. 

Tulip Tree Leaf

Puffer Fish

Leg Muscles and Bones

Deltoid Muscles

Fish (no reference)

Coleus Leaf

Abstract (No theme)

It's been an interesting experiment trying to incorporate more specific reference images into my source drawings. There are aspects that I find pleasantly surprising, but mostly I find myself falling back to my comfort zone of abstraction. When I create abstract works its seems less straining and forced. I feel that my best works are those that flow naturally from within and are created based off an intuitive process, which I find is a much more relaxing and easing approach. 

Happy Canada Day!

Happy Canada Day everyone! What an amazing country we live in. I can't think of a better place to live. Living in such a beautiful country and province, it's not very surprising that I love nature. I've been doing lots of biking since I've been home in BC for the summer. I try to take my sketchbook with me every chance I can so that I can sketch things while I'm taking a break on longer bike rides. Last week I biked 26km from Crescent Beach to White Rock Beach and back home. Here are a couple of sketches from the journey. 

 

I also started to do some more watercolour which I'm very excited about, since I only really started to get into watercolour last year. I recently did a series of watercolour paintings of leaves that are based off of images found in a book I bought from Black Bond Books in South Surrey. After I painted them, I added fine line details with a black pen. 

This series of leaf paintings are going to be used as source images for a new digital artwork I will be creating as part of my MFA studio work. I also have two other projects I will be creating during the summer for my MFA including one based off of the human body and one based off of sea creatures/sea-life. Stay tuned to see more of my MFA summer projects!