Thursday, October 24, 2013

face number 1.


There's something really nice about looking and drawing a face, so I don't know why this is the fist time i've done it in about nearly 2 years. I'm not pretending I'm an artist, I'll be the fist to say this is naff. Her nose is wonky, her jaw line if poo, i haven't bothered with the hair, her bottom lip is awful, her eyes don't match and worst of all theres no character. 

Rgaerdless, I'm gonna keep trying!

youniverse




YOUniverse

11 embroidery hoops.
Digital print
Screen Print
Hand painting
Beading
Stitch.

This is a piece I made whilst at Uni. It made its way into a pop up exhibition on Brick Lane, Londodn and sold to a dealer in urban art.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Paintings good for the soul

Patricia Vargas

yingyang pan







If you were to take a look at my interest, in particular my 'post uni inspiration' board, you would image after image of beautiful paintings. This basically happened by accident. I wasn't aware of my love for these colourful paintings until I didn't have to think about what I liked. The projects at uni come so quickly one after another that you don't really have the time to explore what you like. There is pressure for you to create your own style without having the time to relax and let inspiration come to you. Ok, so there's the summer holidays but my 2 brakes where filled with either working, planning my weddings, seeing friends and family and doing nothing-all every important!! So, now with time to let my mind wander I've unleashed this new lover for abstract colourful painting. 

Happy, carefree, ambitious, inspired, cheeky, in love, peaceful, confident, comfortable, chirpy, light, warm, full of life. I could go on.

I didn't realise paint could make you feel like that :s

In light of this I've decided to try some paintings for myself and eventually I'll be painting a massive canvas for our family home. Ill keep you posted. 

Go check these out and see if they can put a smile on your face the way they do mine.

http://www.miachristopher.com/
http://emilyrickard.blogspot.co.uk/
http://www.kittygenius.com/
http://yangyangpan.com/
http://www.michellearmas.com/

Sunday, September 29, 2013

The Buzzer

Here is a piece I wrote for Collectif's blog: 




I get off of the train at Shadwell, it’s a Monday morning and I’m nervous. I’ve been here once before- for my interview, so I know that when I take my last steps towards the head office I have to prepare myself for seems like the most daunting task in the whole wide world…I release the tight grip on my satchel, outstretch my arm and place my finger on the-wait for it… buzzer. No Joke, I wanted to die. Once that buzzer is pressed there’s no going back- it’s as if the buzzing sound is actually wake up alarm for life. I’m no longer a student, I no longer have the security blanket of studies to stop me going out into the real world and putting my knowledge on a platter to be scrutinised  This is the moment; the moment the buzzer is pressed, I become a fashion Intern. 

Reminiscing that buzzer moment post intern gives me an almost overwhelming urge to slap myself. The past 2 months have been an invaluable experience, not only for my creative future and portfolio, but also for my confidence in my ability and self-esteem. Before the intern I had accepted that I was going to be an organising, data inputting, clothes steaming, tea girl and I was ok with that, as it was something to put on my CV. So, Imagine my surprise when on my 3rd day I awarded the massive duty of designing a print for Collectif’s SS14 collection. Actually, don’t image my surprise-imagine yours. When the creative director, or assistant manager or MD see a spark of talent in you that they want to flourish and grow within their company. For me, that was print designing and I will be forever grateful that the Collectif team gave me a chance. Throughout the next 2 months, it was clear that that chance paid off for both them and for me as I was asked to continue designing for the SS14 collection and even now the intern has finished my designing with them hasn’t.

2 months goes so quickly when you’re working with an upbeat, hardworking and fabulous team so if you too become an intern make the most of your time there. Not only did I design for them I helped out on the photo shoots, assisted with preparations for shows and buyers, did creative product description writing, research, assisted with the branding and worked in the Covent garden shop. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and have met some really great people in the mean time.  Breaking into the world of fashion is no easy task but now feel prepared and eager to give it go! There are many opportunities to develop your CV, grow your portfolio, make contacts and gain experience at Collectif so what are you waiting for? Grab the Bull by the horns and press that Buzzer!

I just want to thank everyone at Collectif for a great 2 months!


Thursday, August 22, 2013

Sneak Peak!



When life hands you lemons...make lemonade. 

I had a couple of sour lemons thrown at my face (the company I worked for collapsed with no notice and NO pay)and sure I sulked a little, but i realised this lemonade wasn't going to make itself! It's taken a couple of bad tasting bottles but I'm finally getting on my way to making a drinkable lemony beverage! 


Lucy's Lemonade: Bach one (August 2013)

A traditional vintage flavour- bitter sweet and still. Very refreshing and sets the taste buds alive with a proper lemony zing! Not the sweetest of lemonades so best to be drunk in smaller quantities.


I thought that was pretty clever, its not though is it? Its just lame. Anyways...I'm currently interning for Collectif, I'm in my 3rd week of 8 there and am really enjoying it. I was suuuuper shocked to find out that they wanted me to design a print for them for their SS14 collection, I'm only just getting my head around it. I thought I was gonna be the tea girl! I don't want to say too much but I think the photo gives a little glimpse into my world at the moment. It's nice to be inspired again, and drawing! It's a completely different vibe to be drawing for somebody else and for a brief that isn't your own. Of course, if the images I come up with don't work for Collectif they wont put it into production, so thats a tad scary, but as its an unpaid internship (hence the bitterness in the lemonade)it takes the pressure off. I'm enjoying learning the process of how designing works in industry, so if my design doesn't go all the way I've soaked up a lot along the way!

Along with designing, Ive also helped out on the AW13/14 photo shoot. Being part of the behind the scene crew made me fell 1) super fat and ugly because the models are just gorgeous and 2) really pumped to make something of myself. Ive been working closely with the creative director of Collectif, Nicole and seeing her direct a photo shoot made up of garments that she has designed is really inspiring- and she's heavily pregnant! 


Tuesday, August 6, 2013

And post uni life begins...




For the past two weeks i have, no joke, been getting up- scrap that, waking up- and putting on 'sex and city' and then going to back to sleep. 6 seasons in 2 weeks, world record?? Although my time in new York (almost)with Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha was fabulous, i am over the moon to be getting up and out of bed for actual grown up reason, my life now has a purpose! 

After my job at Dwell went in the bin with the rest of company i wasn't feeling particularly inspired or motivated to do ANYTHING (except watch SATC of course. I applied for a few jobs, one of them being in new zealand (escape?) but to be completely honest i wasn't job hinting like i should have been, anyways an internship at 'Collectif' was advertised and found its way onto my computer screen so I decided to give it a go. Cut to the chase, I got one of the 2 positions. YAY! Collectif are a fashion wholesaler and retailer who specialise in vintage 40's and 50's reproduction clothing. They've already got 4 shops and a massive fan base but are growing and moving forward in a big way, so i'm really happy to be a part (if only a little part) of their story. 

I've only been their for 2 days but have already dabbled in loads of things and am getting insight of the behind the scenes production, I was even given the privilege to view the brand new A/W 13 collection. So, yeah it's going good, i just need to be careful not to embarrass myself too soon. :s 

Monday, July 1, 2013

NEW DESIGNERS 2013



WOOOOOW That was intimidating! There is so so so much talent in the current textile market. New designers is a celebration of fresh graduate skill and talent and it was so inspiring to see. The business design centre in Islington was set alive with colour and pattern and im proud that I had my part in that. I'm going to be honest, i wasn't happy with my display. I wish I wish I wish I had followed my instinct and presented my textiles in a more dynamic and stand out way- I understand the tutors wanted continuity within our stall but I dont agree that it showed my work in its full glory. As university our stand looked very flat and uninteresting which is a massive shame as we have some incredible work by some fantastic girls. Advice to next years exhibitors from UCA: really throw yourself into it, observe the other stalls think ahead!

Pretty much all of my business cards went :D and I have an interview on wednesday for a fantastic internship opportunity. I was also spotted by Watermark publishing for my illustration, however because of location im not able to follow this up.