BRIEF: BOOTS LIBRARY MURAL

CONCEPT: BRINGING THE OUTSIDE IN

Bringing the Outside In: A Journey Through British Wildlife and Sustainable Living

Bringing the Outside In” explores the seamless integration of natural elements into indoor spaces, emphasizing sustainable living practices, particularly for students. The project draws inspiration from British wildlife, botanical illustrations, and the symbolic language of flowers to create a harmonious blend of nature and interior design. Through various artistic techniques, including digital collage, hand-drawn illustrations, and mural painting, the project aims to evoke a sense of connection with nature and promote eco-friendly living.

Artist Influences

The project is influenced by the vibrant landscapes of David Hockney and the intricate botanical patterns of William Morris. Hockney’s ability to capture the essence of a place with bold colors and dynamic compositions inspired the visual language of the project. Morris’s emphasis on the beauty of nature and sustainability aligns with the project’s themes.

Found Images and Moodboard

My moodboards were filled with images of British wildlife, botanical illustrations, and sustainable living spaces. These helped me visualize how to bring the outside in and create a cohesive look that blends natural elements with indoor spaces.

INITIAL IDEAS

Starting Points:

The project began with the idea of ‘bringing the outside in,’ inspired by the increasing need to create green, sustainable living spaces, especially in urban environments. I wanted to explore how integrating natural elements into indoor spaces can enhance wellbeing. Engaging in on-site studies at the library rooftop garden and various plant shops served as a rich foundation for my mural project. These experiences were pivotal in fulfilling the learning outcome of investigating diverse research sources. Beyond this, they not only provided a tangible connection with nature but also directly influenced the synthesis of visual ideas.

Bringing the Outside In Concept:

This concept focuses on creating a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor environments. By incorporating elements like plants, natural textures, and wildlife motifs into interior design, I aimed to create a space that feels connected to nature.

the idea behind this concept was to not only be literal but also illustrate the idea of bringing the outside in to peoples lives and hearts.

Living Sustainably as a Student:

The mural would live in the university library so i wanted my work to resonate with the students hwo would see it most. Living sustainably as a student involves making eco-friendly choices, such as using recycled materials and incorporating plants into living spaces. This theme guided my selection of materials and the overall design approach.

A significant source of inspiration was the Van Gogh Immersive Experience in York. This exhibition, which brought Van Gogh’s paintings to life through large-scale projections and interactive elements, demonstrated the powerful impact of immersive art. It showed how art could transform a space and evoke strong emotional responses. This experience inspired the project’s approach to creating environments that are not only visually appealing but also deeply engaging and connected to nature.

Digital collages were used to experiment with different compositions and natural elements. AI-generated images facilitated quick experimentation but also highlighted the need for originality and artistic control. The collages incorporated symbolic elements like pomegranates and lilies to evoke specific emotions and themes related to nature and sustainability. These digital explorations were transferred into hand-drawn illustrations, maintaining the symbolic elements while adding a personal touch.

During the experimentation phase of the mural project, I explored various mediums to achieve the desired aesthetic. One of the techniques I experimented with was using pastels to create loose and expressive images.
Pastels offered a versatile medium to create loose and gestural imagery, allowing me to convey the fluidity and movement of nature. I approached the experimentation with an open mind, embracing the spontaneity and unpredictability of the medium.
Pastels allowed me to work quickly and intuitively, encouraging bold and expressive strokes. I focused on capturing the essence of British wildlife and natural landscapes, emphasizing the dynamic energy and vitality of the subject matter.
Experimenting with pastels enabled me to explore texture and layering techniques. I experimented with blending and smudging to create soft transitions and atmospheric effects, adding depth and dimension to the imagery.
The fluidity of pastels lent itself well to capturing the organic forms and graceful movements of wildlife and vegetation. I embraced the imperfections and spontaneity of the medium, allowing the imagery to evolve organically with each stroke.
While pastels offered freedom and spontaneity, I also maintained a level of control over the composition and design. I experimented with different techniques to strike a balance between loose, gestural marks and more controlled details, ensuring coherence and visual impact.
The insights gained from experimenting with pastels informed the development of the mural designs. I incorporated elements of loose imagery and expressive mark-making into the compositions, enriching the visual narrative and enhancing the overall atmosphere of the murals.
Experimenting with pastels was a valuable learning experience, allowing me to explore new techniques and push the boundaries of my artistic practice. While not all experiments resulted in successful outcomes, each iteration contributed to my creative growth and informed the final direction of the project.
Moving forward, I plan to continue exploring pastels and other mediums to further refine my artistic style and technique. The experimentation process has inspired me to embrace spontaneity and embrace the expressive potential of different mediums in my future projects

In addition to working on the mural project, I challenged myself to fill and complete a separate sketchbook dedicated to observational drawings. This endeavor proved to be immensely beneficial and enriched my artistic practice in several ways.

Focusing on observational drawing allowed me to sharpen my observation skills and deepen my understanding of form, composition, and perspective. Through careful observation of my surroundings, I developed a heightened sensitivity to detail and nuance, which directly informed my approach to the mural project.

The act of filling a sketchbook with observational drawings provided ample opportunity to hone my technical skills and explore different drawing techniques. From quick gestural sketches to more detailed studies, I experimented with a variety of mark-making methods and rendering approaches, expanding my artistic repertoire in the process.

The observational drawing process encouraged me to explore a diverse range of subject matter, from natural landscapes and wildlife to urban architecture and everyday objects. This broadened my visual vocabulary and inspired fresh perspectives that I could later incorporate into the mural project, infusing it with a rich tapestry of imagery and thematic depth.

Committing to filling a sketchbook from cover to cover required a consistent and disciplined approach to artistic practice. By setting aside dedicated time each day or week to draw, and pushing myself to draw every day I cultivated a habit of creativity that fostered productivity and momentum, ultimately fueling my progress on the mural project.

The process of filling a sketchbook served as a fertile ground for generating ideas and inspiration. Many of the observations and insights gleaned from my drawings sparked new concepts and directions for the mural project, serving as catalysts for creativity and innovation.

Completing a sketchbook of observational drawings instilled a sense of accomplishment and boosted my confidence as an artist. It reaffirmed my ability to set goals, stay committed to the creative process, and overcome challenges along the way, fostering resilience and self-assurance in my artistic endeavors.

The benefits of filling a sketchbook of observational drawings directly translated into enhanced outcomes for the mural project. The refined observation skills, technical proficiency, diverse subject matter exploration, creative discipline, and newfound confidence all contributed to the depth, quality, and authenticity of the final mural designs.
Looking back on the completed sketchbook, I gained valuable insights into my growth and progress as an artist. Each drawing documented a moment of exploration, discovery, and learning, serving as a tangible testament to my artistic journey and evolution.

Moving forward, I intend to continue filling sketchbooks of observational drawings as a fundamental aspect of my artistic practice. The benefits derived from this endeavor have reaffirmed its value as a catalyst for creativity, innovation, and personal growth, inspiring me to embrace the joy of drawing and exploration in all my future projects.

Extensive research into local wildlife, particularly native plants and insects, informed the project. This included field trips to nature reserves and consultations with local botanists. Historical and contemporary botanical illustrations provided insight into artistic techniques and styles. The symbolic language of flowers, or floriography, was explored to incorporate meaningful elements into the designs. Sketchbook pages captured detailed drawings of native plants and insects, serving as references for the final illustrations.

Colour palettes were carefully researched to create a harmonious blend of natural and indoor colors, considering the setting’s impact on mood and tone. Studies of various murals, particularly those integrating natural elements, provided inspiration for techniques and styles. I tried to consider colours which considered the other colours and shapes in the space.

Experimentation with techniques like printing, collage and hand-painted murals offered insights into texture and layering. Pattern making based on botanical elements and wildlife led to repeating designs for wallpapers and textiles. Mock-ups and thumbnails documented the iterative process of refining designs and testing layouts.

Digital collages were used to experiment with different compositions and natural elements. AI-generated images facilitated quick experimentation but also highlighted the need for originality and artistic control. The collages incorporated people living sustainably to evoke specific emotions and themes related to nature, sustainability and community. These digital explorations were transferred into hand-drawn illustrations, maintaining the symbolic elements while adding a personal touch

Thumbnails and sketch pages show the iterative process of refining designs, testing different layouts and compositions to achieve the best visual impact. The integration of detailed botanical illustrations with symbolic elements worked well, creating visually rich and meaningful designs. However, some initial color palettes were too bold and needed to be toned down to create a more harmonious effect.

Explored the language of flowers, also known as floriography, to incorporate symbolic meanings into the designs. For example, ivy symbolizes fidelity and strong affection, making it a meaningful addition to the designs. Similarly, i looked into each months “birth flower”. the idea behind this was to create a sense of connection and intruige. Sketch pages include detailed drawings of native plants and insects, annotated with their symbolic meanings. These pages served as references for the final illustrations.

Developed patterns based on botanical elements and wildlife, creating repeating designs that could be used in various applications such as wallpapers or textiles.

FINAL OUTCOME

Reflecting on the completion of the mural project, I recognize the deliberate choices made to incorporate elements of nature, community, and sustainable living. These thematic considerations were integral to the conceptualization and execution of the mural, reflecting a commitment to conveying meaningful messages through artistic expression.

Incorporating elements of nature into the mural was a deliberate decision aimed at evoking a sense of environmental awareness and appreciation. By depicting scenes of natural landscapes and biodiversity, the mural sought to foster a connection with the natural world and encourage viewers to reflect on the importance of conservation and preservation.

Community engagement played a significant role in shaping the mural’s design and content. Collaboration with local community members allowed for input and feedback, resulting in a mural that resonated with the values and identity of the surrounding community. This participatory approach facilitated a sense of ownership and pride among community members, contributing to the mural’s impact and relevance.

A commitment to sustainable living guided decisions regarding materials and processes throughout the mural project. Utilizing recycled and eco-friendly paints minimized environmental impact, aligning with principles of sustainability and responsible stewardship of resources. The subject matter itself served as a visual representation of sustainable living practices, reinforcing the importance of environmental consciousness in everyday life.

In conclusion, the mural project served as a platform for conveying important messages related to nature, community, and sustainable living. Through thoughtful design and execution, the mural engaged viewers in critical reflection and dialogue, inspiring a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of humans and the environment. Moving forward, lessons learned from this project will inform future endeavors in art and community engagement, emphasizing the potential for art to inspire positive social and environmental change.

Reflection and Future Directions:

The project highlighted the importance of connecting with nature and living sustainably, particularly in urban environments. While some experimental techniques, like lino printing, were less effective, the overall integration of detailed botanical illustrations and symbolic elements was highly successful. Future iterations of the project could focus more on the practical aspects of production and explore additional ways to enhance the tactile quality of the designs.