Bruce Conner

Bruce Conner was a vital artist within the underground art movement. Personally, I find his work fascinating and incredibly intriguing. Born and raised in Wichita, Kansas, Conner began to study art at Wichita University in which he left to go to Nebraska University where he received a BFA. He later went to study at the Brooklyn Art museum where he only manage to stay for a semester because he did not enjoy it. He left it for the University of Colorado where he met Jean Sandstedt, the women who later became his wife and a huge influence within his art work. From early on Conner had started to work with a variety of different mediums, such as tights, old bikes, fur, costume jewellery and candles. I really enjoy the range of work Conner produces, because he a has vide range there is so much you can study and so much inspiration you can take from his work. Conners early work didn't always contain a real meaning but he would mainly show his discarded opinion of the beauty of a American women and the way society impacted on a individual. A large section of Conner's work were films, he made powerful films from very early on in his career which would last up to twelve to fourteen minutes. He would create compilations from old newsreels an    film that he had shot himself. Conner began to develop artistic identity when he showed his work at the Spatsa Gallery. Instead of inviting people to come, Conner made small black cards with the comment "works by the late Bruce Conner". This really sparked an interest within Conners work for the public, his humorous yet disturbed way of inviting people to his exhibition really gained interest in his work. Soon after this, Connor created Child, a sculptured shape of a child made from wax and bound together by stockings sent Conners work straight into the spotlight of the media. Whilst many people were mortified by this piece Conner simply stated that "it's art not murder". From 1960 to 1961, Conner had three main exhibitions and received a lot of positive comments from them. This really boosted Conner's work into the limelight, I personally feel that the creation of "Child" allowed Conner to start to creating really powerful pieces of work and it also gave him the recognition he deserved for these pieces. Connor carried on to gain more and more attention for his work throughout the 1960's, however in 1964, Conner announced that he would stop producing assemblages, which was a great shock to many people involved in the art world. Since the announcement of this, Conner began to produce many forms. In addition to that Conner began to produce more films such as Looking For Mushrooms, a purely colour driven film which lasted for three minutes. Throughout the 70's, Conner began to produce more photography and drawings, many of them focused on the stunning punk rock scene. Working with the photographer Edmund Shea they created a series of life sized photos called "Angels". I adore these pieces created by Conner,  I could talk about them for hours. They fit the topic of indistinct perfectly, as does most of his work, but I feel that this series of photographs inspires me the most. They were created by using large sheets of photo paper, Conner would stand in front of these in different positions. Once the photos were taken they were quickly exposed to light, this left the light imprint of Conner's body on a completely black background. Throughout the 80's and 90's Conner had been creating a chain of contrasting collages, many using religious imagery which had become a main theme that has ran throughout the work of Conners within the 80's. It shows the visionary nature that is within all of Conners creations and made him stand out from the crowd. I feel that Conner Bruce has really helped my to develop the topic of indistinct, I have had many contrasting ideas about where I wanted to take the topic but I feel that Conners work has helped me narrow it down.

Bruce Conner- Guadalupe, (1962) assemblage, 27-20-5 

http://bombmagazine.org/article/2486/bruce-conner 

Bruce Conner- Looking Glass, (1964) a sculpture made from, paper, mannequin arms, cotton cloth, nylon, beads, metal, twine, glass, leather, plastic, fur, dried blowfish, silk, feathers, elastic, wood, nylon stockings and costume jewellery. 

http://www.sfmoma.org/explore/collection/artwork/3562 

Bruce Conner- Sound of Two Hand Angel, (1974) gelatin sliver on print photogram 

http://rebloggy.com/post/art-contemporary-art-bruce-conner/10166757824

Different mediums

I really liked the split that I had created on the previous page therefore I decided to develop it and use different mediums.  I Started with biro but didn't like it therefore added some charcoal on top. This created a layered effect throughout the piece which I liked. The second piece was created with oil pastels. I prefer this piece to the first once. I feel that there is a lot more definition within this piece and this made it look more effective. Overall I am happy with how this piece turned out, I feel that I took the drawings a step further by using different materials therefore it has helped me developed skills to use within future observational drawings.

Bark

This is a continuation from my studies of bark. The piece that I dislike the most on this page is the watercolour. Although I am happy with the shading in this piece, I dislike the shape, it's just a blob at the bottom of the page. The shape takes the attention away from the shading and detail that I have produced throughout this piece. The piece I like the most is the spilt at the top of the page. I feel that it is subtle yet effective. I used charcoal to create it and gently smudged the outsides of it. Overall I am happy with how this page turned out, I feel that have studied the object in more detail. 

Tree bark

I decided to return to drawing tree bark. I feel that I have develop the way I draw the formation of objects therefore wanted to look at a different part of bark. This time I kept the bark dry, so it was more frail and chipped. The drawing I like least is the biro one, I feel that it is just random scribbling. I had past the point of drawing anything and was just making it up. I feel that I rectified myself when I began to draw in oil pastels. I decided to not use the correct colours when drawing the piece, since I was only drawing the structure of it, I felt that there was absolutely no need. In addition to that I was looking at making something indistinct by taking it's colour away from it so I felt that this was extremely relevant to the study. I am happy with this piece, I feel that I have achieved everything I had set for myself. 

More chillies

This is a continuation with the chilli studies. I really enjoyed drawing it and I found it really interesting, so I carried on. There is no more to be said about that really. I decided to use oil pastels again to draw this piece, however I decided to study a different chilli, one that was darker because I thought it would allow me to create more charcoal studies on it. I feel that the oil pastels went well and show the transition from dark to light colours running throughout the chilli's skin. I then decided to use charcoal to create the next few observational drawings. I am also happy with how these turned out because it I feel that it shows the different textures and forms throughout the chilli. The last drawings that were done in pen. I feel that I drew the whole chilli too small, and it just looks meaningless. Overall I am content with how this page turned out. I feel it has helped me to observe the way an object has been formed. 

Chillies

I decided to carry on with looking at fruit and vegetables. I am really interested with the way you can take the colour and distinctiveness away from something  by changing the colour. Therefore I decided to study a chilli, a energetic, vibrantly coloured object. I first wanted to draw the colours that ran throughout it, so I used oil pastels. I feel that this went well, however I could have created more texture within it. I then decided to use charcoal. I mainly focused on the textured created throughout because in the previous piece I focused more on the colour. I am happy with how these pieces turned out, I feel that they represent the structure of the chilli well. In addition to that they create differentiation between the light and dark colours. The final sets of drawings were completed in the medium of pen, I dislike the tones created throughout this drawing. I feel that they looking nothing like the chilli when you compare them, therefore it does not really support my other observational drawings. 

Passion fruit

I have always been amazed by passion fruits. I understand that has made me sound very strange, but I just adore the layers and textures that run throughout the whole of the fruit. Therefore I decided to study it. I started of by just drawing the seeds, within the top left hand page of my sketchbook. However I dislike how this turned out, I feel that it looks scruffy and nothing like the seeds. Therefore I moved on to draw the insides, using the same medium of biro. This also looked awful. So I decided that I was in dire need of a change in mediums. I chose charcoal. I am happy with how this piece turned out. I feel that have involved the obvious texture you can see throughout the piece therefore I am happy with this drawing. Since I really treasure the beautiful, individual seeds within the fruit, I decided to use them. I used four different mediums, moving across the bottom of the page. I feel that this had really helped to look at the way I work within different mediums. I dislike the biro piece because I feel that it looks just like the previous one I had created. This meant that I hadn't developed my drawing so it was just pointless. I feel that the best medium I worked in was the water colour and the oil pastel. I feel that they allowed to create a vibrant contrast from light to dark colours. 

Returning to found objects

Previously within my sketchbook I had looked at a avocado. Well I decided to leave, and it completely changed. The vibrant colours had vanished, it was completely gone and what was left was a browny, black, rigid avocado. I though this was incredibly interesting. As the avocado lost its colour it became an indistinct object, completely unrecognisable. Therefore I decided to create a page of studies on it using the medium of biro. Overall I am happy with how this page turned out, I have created the rigid sides and continuous colour contrast of brown to black represented within the object. Therefore I feel that I had achieved the targets that I had set myself. 

Just oil pastels

Oil pastels. Sometimes they are amazing to work with and sometimes they suck. However I knew straight away that I wanted to use them when studying this piece. I had chipped of some bark from a tree and then left it in water for an hour or so. This caused all the bark to go soft which emphasised the structure of the bark. I feel that the first piece went well. I decided to draw a section of the bark, the part that was breaking away. I feel that this has turned out well, the colours are similar and they have blended together well to create a contrast between light and dark. However I dislike the shape I had drawn this in, I had decided to use a small square because then I could allow myself to just focus on creating the contrast, but I feel I have made this drawing look so contrived. I feel that it just didn't work. The next piece was done using charcoal. I decided to have a small break from the oil pastels and free my drawings up a bit and charcoal allowed me to do this. The final observational drawing is off the small textures you can on the front side of the tree bark. I am happy with how this piece turned out, I feel that using the colour grey as a base allowed me to added vibrant colours which enhanced the overall look of the piece. To conclude, I am happy with how this page turned out. 

Charcoal and biro

This is a continuation of studies from the rock that I had uncovered within my garden. I decided to draw it in charcoal, another medium that I relish to draw within. I did originally like this drawing, however I ruined it by using oil pastels on then next page and not sealing them. A part from the brown smudge I feel that I have observed the different qualities formed within the rock. The second drawing is an enlargement of the drawing I had created on the previous page. As well as wanting to enlarge it, I wanted to use biro again. I know, I should really stop. I am disappointed with how this piece turned out, I feel that it doesn't look similar to what I was drawing at all. Therefore it has given me mixed feelings about how useful this page it too me. 

Biro, again

After visiting the museums, I decided to carry on with my observational drawings. Although I wanted to move onto doing more abstract pieces using paint, I felt that I hadn't quite done enough sketches therefore I carried on. This is a drawing of a rock I had discovered hiding within my garden. I decided to create it in biro because I adore the way it allows my drawings to freely move across the page. I feel that these pieces relate well to the topic of indistinct. However to improve them I feel that that I could have made them larger. Sometimes I become to focused therefore have no idea what I scale I am drawing, until I step back to look at it. To conclude, I am happy with how this piece turned out, I feel that I have successfully represented what I was drawing whilst sticking firmly within the theme of indistinct. 

Somerset House

As well as visiting Guy Bourdin's exhibition, I was able to visit the rest of the Somerset house.  A lot of the gallery parts were cut off in preparation for London fashion week, however I was able to go and look at the work of Kandinsky, an artist known as the father of abstract work. I really like Kandinsky's work, the way he portrays objects is beautiful and very indistinct. A lot of the other work within the Somerset house was religious based portraiture. I did enjoy look at the history of the work however feel that it did not really inspire me in the topic of indistinct. To conclude, I feel that my trip to Somerset house was extremely helpful. 

Somerset House- Guy Bourdin

My final gallery visit was to Somerset house where I was able to observe the work of the photographer Guy Bourdin, a fashion photographer. I really enjoy Bourdin's work, the layout of his pictures really capture the essence of what he is trying to portray. Although Bourdin is a fashion photographer, I feel that his work could be used within the topic of indistinct. He rarely shows the face of the model and oftens just use mannequins legs to show the clothes he is presenting. I feel this fits well with my concept of indistinct, it has also helped me to develop my meaning further and has allowed me to think properly about what I want to develop my work into. 

The National Gallery

I had also decided to visit the National Gallery as a part of my research towards my topic of indistinct. I found the work within the National Gallery beautiful and it has inspired me in many different ways. Whilst most people believe that the National gallery is just full of traditional pieces of work, I feel that I have learnt a lot from visiting it. During my walk throughout the great halls, I found the work of Monet, an artist who mostly painted landscapes. I enjoy the use of colour and the way his paintings just blend together. I feel that I can incorporate the colour he uses within looking at mark making. In addition to that Monet doesn't paint his landscapes exact, he leaves some mystery within them. By that I mean he blends part of the painting together to create the atmosphere of a landscape but doesn't paint it exactly how he would have seen it. I really like this aspect, I feel that it enhances his work, you want to look at it more and study it. Overall, I feel that the visit to the National Gallery was very helpful to me. 

Tate Art Modern, found artists

Whilst walking from room to room within the Tate, I found this one. This is Henry Wessel's work and I find it so interesting. I think this piece relates to the topic of indistinct really well, I have found a selection of his photos after doing research that I feel could support me work within the topic of indistinct. Wessel takes photos with people facing away from the camera or not directly looking at it, I feel that your facial features make you distinct therefore taking them away can cause you to look indistinct. Wessel captures people within their own moment and portrays it too the rest of the world. The main attraction I found to Wessel's work was the colour of his photographs. Wessel uses Kodak Tri-X, a black and white photographic film that is known for producing a silver tone within the photos. I feel the colour of these photographs would work perfectly with the vibrant colours Richter chooses to paint on his photos with. It would create a real contrast, something that would really make people look at my work. By combining my influences from both Richter and Wessel, I will be able to produce astonishing pieces of work, well hopefully. 

                                        

Although CW Twombly's work is not relevant to this topic, I have to mention him. I really enjoyed studying the reason for his work and just his work in general so I was amazed when I walked into a room with three of his pieces were on the wall. I feel that this piece really helped me to look at abstraction and started to produce it. Therefore I had to mention it within this blog post. In addition to mentioning it within my blog, I filmed the room because the aesthetics of it are just astonishing.

Tate Art Modern

The Tate Art Modern really captured my heart when I visited during the holidays. I have only been to the Tate in Liverpool so didn't know what to expect but I really enjoyed myself, I feel that it has really helped me to look at different artists and photographers to use within my work. The Tate ranges from surrealism to sculptures to expressionists all with the space of a room. Walking from room to room there was a variety of different inspirations from all different types of artists. I am really happy that I visited the Tate Art, I feel that it has given me real inspiration for the next part of my project. 

Tate sculptures- 

Whilst I have never considered looking at sculptures, I feel that the Tate has helped me to process the idea of creating them. Although I may never include sculptures within my work, I feel that I have found other inspiration from things that I have never even considered before. 

Drawing in all mediums

I had really enjoyed drawing textured objects therefore I wanted to draw more. I ended up drawing a apple's skin because I found that it contained a lot of texture. The first drawing was in pencil, I dislike it, it just doesn't look like anything. Simply a doodle. The second piece was painted in watercolor. I was really pleased with how this piece turned out. I had created tonal values and highlighted the yellowy parts of the apple skin that I could clearly see. The third drawing was done in oil pastel. I feel that I had started to hit my stride with drawing in this medium. I was happy with this piece, I feel that like the watercolor piece I was able to create tonal value throughout it. The final piece was done in charcoal, but I dislike it. It's too blocky therefore doesn't really look like what I was drawing. 

Avocado's and oil pastels

Since I half liked the last page, I decided that I would continue with the avocado studies. I wanted to give it another try. I used oil pastels to create this piece, I decided to draw different sections of it that fascinated me. I started with drawing the vibrant green colour I could see oozing from the avocado. I am happy with the results of this piece, I feel I have used the correct colours and have blended them together to create a similar look to the green avocado insides. Then next piece was of a part of the skin, this is what I really struggled to created last time. However I feel this time it went a lot better than it previously did. The oil pastel create a denser base therefore I was able to build upon it with the different colours. The final piece was half of the avocado. I feel that this went really well, I was happy with how the colours blended together effectively. However I was disappointed with the shape of the drawing. It just looks like it's slowly expanding across the page and does not take the proper shape of a avocado. Overall I am happy with these drawings, I feel that oil pastels really allow me to create a texture piece, and it also allows me to create the accurate colours represented within the object. 

Continuation on avocado's

Right. There is a huge disaster on this page, I know it's awful. I was continuing with drawing the avocado because I just adored all the different perspectives and mediums I could draw it in. I started by drawing the bottom piece, I am really happy with how this turned out. I have previously used water colours when doing GCSE art therefore I feel I had developed some confidence with using them. I decided to draw the raw stone within the centre of the avocado. I feel this piece really looks like what I was drawing, it also supports the topic of indistinct really well because I haven't decided to draw all of the object. Separating it allows the object to become in distinct therefore really relevant to my chosen topic. The piece above is the real disaster piece. I wanted to draw the avocado's skin because of the beautiful colour it portrayed. However I just create a huge almond shaped blob within a strange browny colour. I did try to create the accurate colours on the side of the page, however they really don't represent the colour properly. To conclude, I like half and this page and really dislike the other. I feel that watercolor is a really nice mediums to work in, however if I am unsure with the colour of something the future, I need to correctly created it first rather than kinda getting it right. 

Avocado's

You may look at the first two images and think that they are disgusting. However I find them so interesting. The object is just a plain avocado, how when I turned the flash on it completely changed the texture and colour of the skin, leaving the deep purpley black to be highlighted by the bright white flash. It allowed the pure green to shine through with the cracked pieces of skin. I really like this and wanted to use different mediums to draw it in my sketchbook with. I first started with colour pencils, something that I haven't been used to drawing with. It did not go well. I couldn't shade or define the split properly. So I create a light brown shape that was filled with green. I actually like how the green turned out, I started by shading a base of green and the idea was too eventually added light colours creating more of a contrast between the brown. However, when doing this some of the inside green avocado fell out on my page. As much as I tried to get rid of it, the stain just would not go away. So I made the best of the situation and just added more. I really like how this dried, the mixture became texture and gave lots more detail to the drawing. To conclude, I have mixed feelings with how this piece turned out, I dislike the brown edge but adore the green textured centre. The second piece create was done in charcoal. I decided to use charcoal because it allows you to create tonal value easily. I am happy with this piece, I feel I learnt from the previous piece so I made the edges a lot darker. I was also able to created the reflection from the flash therefore it made the drawing more realistic. The small piece in the top left hand corner of the page was of the structured outside to the vegetable. I did created it using pen, I don't really like this as I feel it doesn't really look anything like what I was drawing. 

Oil pastels

Continuing with my observational drawings I decided to give oil pastels another chance. When using them previously, I had gone completely wrong both times. However I wanted to try again. I decided to keep it simple, just drawing an orange, although I say simple, I wanted to draw this because I really liked the green scaly pattern across the top of it. Overall I am happy with both of these pieces. I feel that I had more confidence with using the oil pastels this time, in addition to that I felt that I knew what colours to blend together to create the overall tone of the orange skin. I decided to draw the orange from two different perspectives, birds eye view and from the side. I wanted to show how the green spread down and all around the orange. I feel I have achieved this, I also feel a lot more confident and certain with myself when working in the medium of oil pastels. To conclude I am happy with this piece, although I am annoyed with the way I did not round of the orange, I feel that I have achieved the colour of the orange.