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 :). 

Mid-Semester Update and Thesis Breakthrough

For the last month I've been focusing most of my energy towards creating simple animations using Photoshop and Final Cut Pro. However, these are very large files and I'm having difficulty uploading them. Therefore, I am only going to be able to share one of these animations with you and it's not even my favourite. This was the only one that was small enough to upload on Vimeo without paying for an upgraded account. Check out the animation below!

P.S. this animation is meant to be played on a constant loop. 

A couple of weeks ago I installed my installation project titled "Strokes, Strokes, Strokes" which is a hanging paper piece created with brush and india ink. The installation is not complete without the sound recording of brushstrokes played at various speeds and rhythms. The slower parts are calm and meditative, while the faster parts are aggressive and emphasize the obsessive repetitive process. 

After having critiques for both projects shown above, I took some time away from the studio to process the feedback and comments from my committee. It's a constant challenge and dilemma to try and decide how much to listen to the committee and how much do I go with my gut and keep doing what I'm doing. These soul searching moments are where I usually come up with the strangest ideas and for a short time I was going off the rails a bit. 

However, after thinking about all of the research I've been doing this past year or so, I think I've finally figured out the main focus of my thesis work. My thesis work has been an exploration and investigation of the relationship between the artist and computer. The computer, just like a paintbrush, pencil, pen, etc. is a tool, which mediates the process of creation between artist and artwork. In this sense, I often think that I never truly have complete control over the creative process since I must always use these different tools. Whichever tool I use, it becomes an extension of my intentions and ideas and does it's best to interpret or translate these thoughts into a work of art.

Stemming from this idea of the computer as a tool, that I cannot entirely control, I've been trying to create works in which I allow the computer to control more and more of the process. I am obsessed with control, so you can imagine that this has not been an easy task. I created a series of three works in which I wrote a list of instructions with 20 steps each and in the end I would have a work of art whose final image would be a complete surprise. Check out the images below to see the results.  

2nd Year MFA Progress/Update

It's been a busy start the year and things are not slowing down any time soon. This semester I am in three courses (Studio/Thesis, Seminar, and Investigating Installation elective). However, next semester I will only be taking one course which means I'll be focusing all of my attention towards my studio work and writing my thesis. 

A couple weeks into classes and we started things off with 2nd year MFA presentations. Each of us installed some works which we created throughout the summer and we had to give a five minute presentation in front of the School of Art faculty members. During the presentation I explained the research and projects I created this summer. After the presentation I answered questions from the faculty regarding the work I presented.

As per usual, I created a lot of work this summer. However, since most of my digital work is quite large and I am still a student on a budget I put together an overview of some of the work I made in the summer. I also printed two larger pieces one 43x43 inches and the other 36x43 inches. 

As I mentioned above I am also taking an elective focused on investigating different types of installation. I've begun working on a hand-painted india ink drawing on a large paper roll which in the end will be suspended and installed in a circular formation (with a slit to walk inside of it). The imagery will fully encompass the visual field of the viewing subject. See below for images of the work in progress thus far. 

Last night I went to Nuit Blanche Winnipeg, which was my second year in a row attending. This year I found it much more exciting and eventful! My favourite installations were the ones that involved light, play, and interaction. Another memorable moment was riding the trolley from St. Boniface to the WAG with a live brass band.

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! 

Linocut Tutorial

The video below is a step-by-step tutorial on how to create linocut prints.
From beginning to end I'll show you how my printmaking process comes to life.
Let me know in the comments section below if you have any questions! 

All of the prints you see in this video are pictured below
and are available for purchase at my Etsy shop.

Update: Work, work, and more work.

Judging by the title I'm sure it's obvious that I've been busy working since I've gotten home from school. Although I am expected to continue making work for my thesis exhibition while I'm home, May has been my month off from school. To be completely honest I really haven't had any time to squeeze in even just a moment for school. 

Since I've been home I have worked every weekend as a sports photographer shooting and selling at lacrosse and hockey tournaments. The hours are long and gruelling, but the gig pays well and I love the company that I work for. 

On Friday evenings I coach a youth indoor Atomic volleyball program (ages 9-12 girls) for an hour and a half. Last week my beach volleyball coaching began and it will continue for Tuesday and Thursday nights for the next 5 or so weeks. Finally a couple weeks after that beach program wraps up, I'll start coaching another beach volleyball program on Tuesday nights till the end of the summer. 

As you can see I'm just a little busy and on top of all of my guaranteed income jobs, I've been working rigorously on selling my art. On my second week back from school I completed a commission landscape/night-scape painting. I have a couple of other jobs lined up, but I'm always looking to do other custom paintings.

I've also been working hard on creating an Etsy shop. Etsy is a website where artists, crafters, artisans, and other people who make and sell quality goods, gifts, and items host online shops. If you haven't looked at the website it's the perfect place to find meaningful items and gifts for yourself, friends, and family. Of course I would love it if you would check out my shop first. I also shot an about me video for the my Etsy shop page and new headshots too! 

Click this link >http://bit.ly/etsyshop-artbymallorydonen< to check out the Etsy shop. 

Art by Mallory Donen www.artbymallorydonen.ca http://bit.ly/etsyshop-artbymallorydonen

Art Battle: 397 Vancouver, Red Room Ultra Bar, Vancouver BC

Lastly, are some updates on other art related things I've been doing and will be doing this summer.

On this past Thursday I competed in my second Art Battle in Vancouver. Although I didn't go through to the final round I still had a blast and I felt a lot more relaxed than the previous one I had done. 

I submitted to another show at Hot Art Wet City in Vancouver. This is the piece that got in to the show called "Eat Yo Self". The theme of the exhibition is anthropomorphic cannibalism.

The opening reception for the show is Friday June 3 from 7-11pm and runs from June 2-25. If you're in Vancouver be sure to check it out! 

Milk-o-holic, 9x12", Black ink and water-soluble pencils on bristol, Mallory Donen

I also got into "Back Alley Artists Night". I'll be showing some of my paintings at this event in downtown Vancouver. 

Here's some more info: 

The Back Alley Artists Night is an annual, one night showcase brought to you by The Purple Stapler. It features the work of emerging filmmakers, visual artists, slam poets, performance artists and live musicians from across the Lower Mainland and provides an opportunity for cross discipline networking while celebrating amazing art.

Date: June 4th, 2016
Location: CBC Studio 700 @ 700 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6B 2R5
Tickets are $15 online or at the door (cash and credit accepted). 

Here's a link to the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/565689430279336/

A couple of weeks ago I received my copy of the publication "Modern Laundry" in the mail. Two of my photographs are featured and one of them is even a full spread! 

I think that's about all there is to share at this point. If you're interested in receiving my newsletter email me at info@artbymallorydonen.ca. The newsletter will include updates like these and special discounts at my Etsy shop. Also if you or anyone you know is interested in having me complete a commissioned painting or mural I am always looking for more work.