This week's quick creative experiment had to be really quick as it's half-term and time to think is scarce. I briefly contemplated getting the boys involved too, but decided I'd leave them building a camp in their bedroom (complete with a mattress slide).
Whilst browsing the books in Oxfam recently I spotted the unmistakable blast of colour that is Clarice Cliff. Although I have never felt the urge to own any of her pottery, I have admired her work since I was quite young and was drawn to these Christie's sale catalogues from the 1990s.
Sat on my desk, the patterns and colours kept pulling me in so I thought I'd have a little play with colour.
First I messed about with the paint palette, re-arranging the colours as I pleased (I accept that watercolours are not the ideal medium with which to recreate the bold, solid colours Clarice Cliff favoured!).
Clarice Cliff often outlined her designs in black, but I quite liked the softer effect of white paper showing between the colour blocks, so made a stitched sample using a white paper on top,
cutting away to reveal the colours beneath.
If I had more time I'd take this further, so I'm sure I'll return to these catalogues and explore more concepts. My half-lamps are often described by customers as Art Deco in style so I might design a few lampshades with more obvious Deco patterns.
Hey, it would be fun to design one to complement a customer's own Clarice Cliff collection. I'd enjoy that.
Neat new header! Its all about you and your work. I loved this post as well- Its really interesting to see your process. Tempts me to share mine as well.
Posted by: vineeta | 20 February 2010 at 12:21 AM
Wow! I prefer this header much more - it shows your work much better and it's very nice visually too. Have a nice weekend!
Posted by: Gosia | 20 February 2010 at 09:49 PM