'Not all those who wander are lost.' J.R.R Tolkien

Landscape of Four Seasons - Sesshu Toyo

The main artwork which influenced my project was Sesshu Toyo's, 'Landscape of Four Seasons.' I am drawn towards how engaging Toyo makes his landscapes and his use of shadowing and mark making to do so inspired my work. The intricate details and complexity of this painting draws the viewer in, so that they too can experience the Landscape as Toyo did. I wanted to explore such techniques in my own project to create landscape ink paintings as defined and mesmeric. 

Lake District Photos 

Here are some of the photos which I took from my visit to the Lake District. During this visit I was mesmerised by the environment and wanted to explore different ways of recreating the landscape and its potency. I used many of these photos as reference throughout my project to grasp the thoughts and emotions which I experienced whilst there.

Manchester Art Gallery

During this visit I discovered many artists who explore landscape more realistically and I found many of the works captivating. For instance, the work which I admired the most was Andrew MacCallum's 'Oak Trees in Sherwood Forest' 1877. The vibrancy of the painting struck me most and I felt as if I experienced the landscape itself. Although such paintings are incredibly different from the style I have worked in, I find it interesting to compare the works and draw similarities between them. The biggest similarity I find, is that the different atmospheres of the environments depicted are overpowering which makes the landscapes immersive.

'Oak Trees in Sherwood Forest' 1877

'Show people the best pictures you can get

of beautiful common things;

make them notice the beauty of form... of colour

and when they next see the thing

which the picture presented,

they will see in it beauty 

which, but for the picture, they would not see.' 

Modern Japanese Design, 4 December 2015 - January 2017

This exhibition showcased, 'Contemporary Japanese fashion, furniture and craft.' and 'themes explore respect for nature and natural forces.' Despite this exhibition not linking to my project entirely, I found many aspects of it interesting as I have always admired Japanese culture. It is also interesting to see how culture in Japan has changed throughout time and this is clear in the sculptures displayed, especially the ceramics.

Julie Mehretu 

I came across Mehtetu's work in 'Vitamin D' and am drawn to the different marks she creates to produce pieces of art. Such marks reminded me of the marks which I have drawn upon the mountains and from this I wanted to explore the marks as they are. Through doing so I am able to appreciate all aspects of the landscape; from the mountain as whole to the tiny crevices upon it. Moreover, I feel as if through creating abstract works, the viewer is able to draw their own interpretation of the work which perhaps evokes other emotions from their experience of places rather than my own.  

Marks

I decided to focus on the intricate details within my work and am intrigued by the results. The mountains are completely transformed and the marks themselves are centred. I like how even though the images zoom in on the mountain, the viewer is still able to grasp what the images are depicting and are drawn in more so towards the different features on the mountain.