Part 1: Research Point - Visual Language

 For this research task we are to share our visual diaries, whether that be physical ones or digital or anyway we collect imagery that inspires our work and what that tells us.

There are many ways that I collect inspiring imagery; I love to stick artwork and sayings on my studio walls, which I update when I feel I need a change;

Artwork by Katie Jobling, Leigh Ellexson, LovelyLynn, Happy Cutie Studio.

I keep patterns from envelopes that catch my eye like this spotty one I received for my birthday. I used it to decorate a coffee jar to hold my pencils:

Occasionally I pin images on Pinterest when I am trying to come up with some ideas for a project:

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/nikijacksonart/environment-art-inspiration/

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/nikijacksonart/painting-ideas/

Sometimes a scene in a TV programme or movie will spark my imagination like this scene from 'The Gilmore Girls'. The colours of the Inn behind and the flowers really inspired me and since then I have been working on a whole series of abstract paintings using similar colours.

Gilmore Girls. n.d. [video] Netflix.

Instagram and YouTube are more ways I collect visual imagery. It might be illustration techniques that I aspire to, or paintings that capture a certain mood that resonates with me. Here's a few of my older saves and some recent favourites;

Both by Katie Jobling

Studio Ghibli

Leigh Ellexson

More recent:

Succulent Love Story

Pin and Inko

Kaths Succs

Moon Hollow Design

Angela Pan

A lot of the time my inspiration comes from life experiences and I take mental notes when out and about and those inevitably show up in my work along the way. I also take a lot of photos on my mobile phone of things I find beautiful and want to refer back to. Dog walks offer a lot of inspiration from sunsets to pretty flowers and views over the hills.

Roses from my garden.

Deer we saw on holiday.

A stunning Hollyhock found on a dog walk.

A pretty leaf at the park.

A stunning sunset from my window.

Views of the hills on our dog walk.

Collecting visual imagery is a habit I've been using for a long time, I do find it enjoyable and I will continue to do this as part of my practice. The types of imagery I am drawn to match up with my personal and degree work. Common themes such as nature, succulents and cacti, flowers, landscapes, colours. All things that I have referred to on the previous research tasks are themes that I continue to enjoy. What I love about art and illustration is the fact you can take a common theme and interpret it through your art in a way that you see it, using the techniques, colours and applications that you love, this is what makes art so individual and exciting.