Yarn Self-Portrait

This project reflects an exploration of the idea of representation. While painting is a laborious approach to depicting a subject, crocheting offers an even more complex opportunity to create an image based on a subject. In that the traditional sense of crocheting has to do with creating a shape or form stitch by stitch, this piece utilizes self-representation through thoughtful and meaningful stitches that have been carefully planned to possess the color changes of the human face. The use of texture and some volume furthermore enhances the material quality of yarn, juxtaposing such qualities with photography, painting, and other forms of representation.

The process of creating this piece began with a photo of myself that I redrew onto a large sheet of paper. I then tracked tonal variations by coloring different blocks which corresponded to the lights and darks in the picture (I matched these with the limited colors I had in yarn). After crocheting as close to the "plan" as possible and finishing every color block, I ended up with an unsatisfactory project. I knew that with yarn there would be limits, but I was incredibly unhappy with the results as I was aiming for much more realism. After a couple of days, I ended up going back and crocheting free-handedly over the eyebrows, nose, lips, and hair to create more volume and 3-dimentionality. I also smoothed some areas where colors changed too dramatically from light to dark.

So where does this piece stand now for me? I'm not even sure anymore. I've worked on it for so long and have gone over it too many times. I know I may not ever be happy, but I feel like I can always do so much more. For now, it's "finished," but chances are, I'll go back over it once again. We'll see in weeks or months to come.

Reclaimed Islands

Class: VIS107A (Sculpture)
Project: Reclaiming the space atop Mandeville's trapezoidal blocks through personalized island-spaces
Group Members: 7


Pictured are some of the 7 island-blocks created. The 7 different islands were as follows:
- beach
- yarn world
- bbq picnic
- living room/indoors
- study/office
- tea party
- abstract structure/pathway.

My island included overflowing containers of yarn, a table with all my knitting and crochet tools, a floor made of granny squares, and a backdrop/curtain of crocheted banners. I completed the environment by wearing a self-made beanie and actively crocheting during the performance.

This piece represents my interpretation of creating a personal, yet highly publicized space. When thinking about the potential for making these island-spheres, I was inspired by the thought of a world engulfed by yarn and the craft of both crochet and knitting. Yarn as a medium has fueled many areas of my personal exploration in sculpture. As my first major group project, I am pleased to have had such a unique and positive experience. My group members were amazing!

*Note: the first and last photograph in this post were lifted from The Guardian's website (UCSD newspaper).

Crocheted Pigs

My friend Jen LOVES pigs, so for her 21st birthday I decided to give her a pair of them-- a mama and a baby.
I love this project because it's fun and easy, plus it gave me a lot of inspiration and insight into the possibility of shaping crochet into just about anything. YAY pigs! Credit to Claire Garland for the pattern

I was going to end this post with a list of more cute animals I want to crochet, but I'm afraid that list would never end. I'll probably have to consult Jane about list making.

Broomstick Lace all over the place

Hah I feel so clever about the title of this post. I'm actually just exhausted from an amazing weekend playing at (and winning!) an ultimate frisbee tournament. Love my teammates.

Anyway, I made these scarves using the "broomstick lace" stitch I learned off good ol' youtube (another one of my loves). I started with the white one as a project for my a project for myself, but ended up making the purple-ish one for my mama and the other 2 for my best friends from high school. I miss them both dearly and they now go to school in Chicago and Washington, D.C., so I wanted to give them something that would keep them warm and thinking of home.

(some cool things i didn't make)

Today, I made buttermilk and chocolate chip pancakes from scratch for all my roommates, cleaned up the kitchen, did laundry, baked bread, and planned an art project for my sculpture class. In honor of my productivity, I have been lounging and doing a whole lot of nothing for the past hour.

So... crochet zebra head? This was being sold as a children's room decoration for a "safari" theme. I'm so gonna make a life-sized zebra for our living room! HA

The other pictures I've included are inspiration for a project I have in mind. Stay tuned! :)

Yarn Labyrinth

I know I just posted maybe 10 minutes ago, but I want to get the ball rolling in terms of having a bunch of my projects here. Otherwise, it may be a few months before I revisit my blog. This is a "yarn labyrinth" of sorts that was assigned in my VIS3 class.

Project guidelines: Make something as big as you can for $5. I spent less than $3 and didn't even get to use all of my materials, but at least it was relatively big.

Materials: black acrylic yarn

Ch-ch-ch-changes

I'm gonna start posting about stuff I've crafted, which includes sewing, crocheting, drawing, painting, and cooking projects. I hope I stick to some kind of theme on this thing or I will delete my blog. I never have much to say, anyway.

<3 Dadabear