Amanda Gryphon

Animations completed

2009-11-24T09:31:00.008+13:00

Follow this link to see my final works that I completed last week for this years project. I created a series of steampunk animations using After Effects.
Hope you enjoy.
A Curious Tale of How the Tide was Turned

And just in case anyones interested in the ideas behind the work....

A curious tale of how the tide was turned (2009)

This body of work is exploring the idea that virtual reality runs parallel to what we refer to as our actual reality and that it always has. I have used photographs to represent the actual and graphical imagery to represent the virtual. By combining each of these into these short animations I am saying that the two of these aspects of our lives can work together and don’t need to be considered separate entities.

By using imagery of past times, in particular the Victorian era and early 20^th Century, I am saying that the virtual world isn’t just a recent invention of our modern computer age. Which brings up the question of what is virtual? Using the term as it is applied to computer activities it refers to things that are not real. A virtual world such as second life has no actual existence. Virtual sex is not real sex…or is it? Where is the line drawn between the virtual and the real? If real emotions are felt then how is it not real? Is a conversation with a friend in a chatroom real or virtual? Is the same conversation on the telephone real? We know the conversation is not tangible so does that make it virtual? What about your friend’s thoughts and feelings written in a letter. Perhaps a letter written in Victorian times can also be considered a virtual activity. I am saying with this work that anything that exists in the mind, be it a letter, a daydream or a memory can all be considered virtual. Therefore our actual lives and virtual lives can and do run in parallel to each other.

Some other themes have slipped into the work along the way that I feel are also important. In particular the theme of breaking away from the machinery of the system or the patriarchal hierarchy. The reference to Victorian times is also an indicator here because this was a very important time of fighting for women’s rights.

I have used the Steampunk aesthetic throughout this series of works. This uses a nostalgic look at Victorian times with a limited palette of browns, golds and brass colours. Using the nostalgic says for me that people love to create a romantic view of life. Steampunk also has a machinery/industrial look to it that supports my theme of breaking away from the machine.

My most technically proficient work regarding the image creation is ‘I’d Rather Be Flying’. Creating the actual image tested quite a number of my photoshopping skills to create a believable image, one that had depth and an imagined world outside the windows. On the animation side I had several challenges but I think the technical skills I’m most pleased with are in Checkmate. The mask around the video works well I feel, giving it the impression that it is an object rolling out onto the floor. Making the crown disappear without any disruption to the floor I was pleased with too.

Several artists have influence this work, in particular the design team Bubbly Numbers and Monty Python for their humorous animations. The new media artist Jeremy Blake inspired me with his combining of video footage with photographs and drawings. I also used the style of silent movies for bringing the pieces together to run as a narrative.

My research around rhizome theory written by Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari and published in their book A Thousand Plateaus (1980) certainly helped me to think in different ways, in particular in relation to using new media for my work. I have seen this way of working as rhizomatic. Lev Manovich’s paper Understanding Hybrid Media (2007) has also inspired me to work more in this style and to bring in further elements into my animations. My next project will involve more variety of media such as video footage; either found or created and incorporate some of my own artwork. I also will be exploring After Effects further to find out some of the possibilities of this program.

Deleuze, G. and Guattari, F. (1980). A Thousand Plateaus. Continuim. London.

Manovich, L. (2007) Understanding Hybrid Media. Retrieved September 2009 from www.manovich.net

Too long since I was here!

2009-06-25T09:04:00.006+12:00

Wow, this poor blog must've thought I'd abandoned it! But today I will add more of my latest artwork.

Checkmate

This one is my current favourite. I'm pleased with the effect of the depth of field. This is number 6 in the series of Steampunk ACEO's I'm creating.

Waiting for Aunt Emily's Letter

This number 7. It's a bit pale in comparison to some of the others but it'll do. I had fun with some effects in photoshop, especially blending modes. I love blending modes :)

This one I finished last night. I can't think what to call it though. Any suggestions anyone?

2009-05-04T19:19:00.003+12:00

2009-04-30T15:36:00.001+12:00

2009-04-30T08:39:00.003+12:00

ok, this is a boring football logo but I made it! Using a tutoria l about fireworks from adobe. Have been trying to work out how I can put animation on my blog without using a video player. I noticed that some people's avatar's on other sites were animated gifs. Then I had to work out what to use to make an animated gif. I discovered that fireworks (which, luckily I have) is a pretty good choice. So now I just have to find something more exciting to animate :)

updated version of first flash

2009-04-20T01:45:00.004+12:00

ok flash attempt 2. hope this works a little better.

yes that was definitely an improvement. Resolution quality of the cogs isn't the best but the size is good and background image good. I think I need to research quality and compression.

My first flash animation

2009-04-17T17:21:00.004+12:00

wow I can't believe how sucky the quality is!! I guess I have a lot to learn yet. And maybe i could've kept it going for a few more revolutions. Learning, learning, always learning...

ok just answered my first question...I only made it 100 x 100 pixels cos I thought I could use it as an avatar pic somewhere (don't know where?? So much to learn about flash!!!)

Now to create a BIGGER flash movie!

On a roll Now!!

2009-04-17T15:16:00.004+12:00

Ok - Just completed no. 5 in this series. This one is called another time , another place. The wistful look in the woman's eye has to be cos she's thinking of some great moment long past.

Another Time, Another Place

I think I'll add more colour into the next one or two though.

The rest of the series

2009-04-16T22:45:00.007+12:00

I thought I'd better put the other three up that I've completed in this steampunk series. There will be 10 altogether. I'm currently selling them as ACEO's on trademe for $1 res since they are only 3.5" x 2.5". I'll probably put some larger sizes on trademe later if these go well.

Ethel Barrymore

Time crawls By

Lenora Plans to Travel

Blessing the Journey

2009-04-16T22:16:00.002+12:00

Here's my latest digital collage I just finished tonight and put onto trademe.

All over the place!

2009-04-07T20:19:00.003+12:00

Been doing bits of this and that over the last couple of months since I posted here. No more jewellery though. I've been most interested in digital designs of which these are some examples.

back again

2009-02-09T10:15:00.004+13:00

After a very long time away I'm back with new pics of more jewellery. Had a great trip round the North Island and mostly took photos of cemetries. Not very touristy! Nice gravestones though :)

Here's my latest earrings. Simple but effective I feel. I've put them on trademe to see how they go. Still working on other pieces and will find a suitable gallery for them I think.

New jewellry pieces

2008-12-11T16:39:00.006+13:00

I've created 2 new pendants and a brooch. Here's some pics.

New pic of jewelry

2008-11-30T18:44:00.003+13:00

I added another cog to the pendant so I thought I'd take a new photo. Also found some better paper to photograph it against.

Steampunk Jewelry

2008-11-26T08:56:00.005+13:00

I've been making these this week with Chris. We've been thinking about making Xmas pressie's for people and thought we'd have a go at selling them too.

Since taking this photo I've added another cog between the pendant and the leather. I realised when I added the connectors that I wouldn't be able to remove the pendant so I added a larger jump ring. I'm going to the floor talk today at the Suter gallery for the level 7 students. It will be interesting to hear what they have to say about their work. So i'll wear this pendant today and see what feedback I get.

Chris made this cute one with the lizard. I had a go at adding more things but was quickly put back in my place :) She knows what she wants and she likes things more minimal. I have quite happily embraced the maximalism trend.

We've got more on the go that are nearly finished and I've got so many ideas I want to try out but that involves buying more supplies so I have to be creative with what we've got to start with. I'll post more as they are finished.

Digital Images

2008-11-24T13:30:00.008+13:00

I created these 3 pics for my image studio class. I was investigating the combining of real and virtual worlds. The virtual world in particular is Second Life though I got thinking about all the other virtual experiences that I've had.

This image has house plans as the base with building scenes from second life overlaid onto reallife building images.

Romance on the internet is such a common virtual experience these days I thought I had to include my take on it. I've incorporated scenes from a very romantic place in secondlife.

This 3rd image has quite a dystopian feel to it. I found this couple dancing in secondlife and added them to my scene. The internet as an escape is my idea for this image. The happily dancing couple can escape the hardships of the actual world.

Steam punk goggles

2008-11-24T13:07:00.006+13:00

I had such fun making these! Turning some modern ie welding goggles into something antique is right up my alley. I learnt quite a few new techniques on these thanks to Bernard who always knows how to make things work and has such cool ideas! I'll have to plan my next goggles now. There were so many things I left off cos I ran out of time.

Tagged

2008-11-24T11:27:00.002+13:00

I was tagged a couple of weeks ago by my friend Katherine Quinn who makes the most beautiful artwork. Check her out. It's taken me awhile to sort myself out but I'm onto it now.

I went searching for some new people to tag cos everyone one I knew with a blog had already been tagged! So I decided to look for NZ artists on Etsy. Found some beautiful new work in the process and hope they don't mind being tagged ! :)

Here are the rules...

1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Mention the rules.
3. Tell six quirky yet boring, unspectacular details about yourself.
4. Tag six other bloggers by linking to them.
5. Go to each person's blog and leave a comment that lets them know they've been tagged.

1. I had my finger chopped off when I was 3 but they sewed it back on good as new.

2. As a kid I enjoyed eating luncheon sausage with golden syrup. I still have it every now and again as a comfort thing. Everyone else just says yuck!!!

3. I love staying home.

4. I collect dead things. Nothing too gross tho.

5. I'm really into steampunk at the moment. It combines so many areas I love, vintage, sci-fi, adventure, airships, victoriana and weird and geeky.

6. I want to be a famous animator when I grow...ok that may have to wait until my next life!

ok these are the lucky people I have tagged that I hope will be new blog friends and not hate me :)

Ahipara Girl
The Sunday Project
Kiwi Carole
Chookmook
Georgie Scarlett
Victorian Bird

Time Crawls By

2008-10-07T15:23:00.005+13:00

Another collage uploaded today. Had fun with this one. Created a brush to turn the roses into cogs. Next image might have to be a bouquet of flowers made from cogs and gears.

This one explores the passing and measurement of time. Cogs from an alarm clock, tree rings and moss amongst other images.

Digital Collage

2008-10-06T10:31:00.005+13:00

At last, finally I have created some work just for me and not for an assignment. Something for fun! Having just recently discovered steampunk as a genre I had to have a play. Some of my favourite imagery packaged into one form. Of course I have always liked this style I just didn't know it had a name. I had so much fun with these two images that I think I need to do a series. Although it took quite a long time (all day) to create each of these pics in photoshop it was easier in some ways working digitally. At least I could work at the dining table and not have a mess to clean up afterwards :) I would like to produce more work with paper collage too but this is a good start for me. I started with some photos that Chris took of the inside of an alarm clock she took apart. It looked so awesome I just had to create something out of them. Check out some of the featured photos in her etsy shop

second life/real life

2008-09-21T19:16:00.006+12:00

Been spending a bit of time exploring second life lately and based on of my tech projects on it. I've been looking at Baudrillard's theory's on reality and copies of reality and felt it would fit in well. There's a mall here in Nelson called Fashion Island and I'm pretty sure it's based on a second life mall. So I've taken heaps of photos of Fashion Island and arranged them a la David Hockney. I've also found a mall in Second Life which I've done the same with. Had great fun with photo shop and learnt heaps of new things like how to curl the edges of photo's. I think at one point I was over 300 layers with these. Yes, hours and hours and days of work involved with these. I probably went a bit over the top but I loved it. Only problem is my idea involves ripping these up as a way of stripping back the layers. Yes definitely in line with the last two projects. I will of course keep copies of the complete pictures as well. I'll display these in my workbook so it will be easy to see how they look complete.

slice of life

2008-09-17T09:43:00.007+12:00

This work is about having a tool that could be used to peel back the artificiality in life to reveal what is real. I've decided to call this piece slice of life. Had such a hard time coming up with a title that implied the connection to reality and that it wasn't just a weapon. It's still a stretch but it's as good as it's going to get. The assignment is due on Friday. I'm going to display it so you can see that it is a glove that maybe you could put on. As you can see from the top image I will display it in my studio space with the torn poster image to imply that the tool has been used already. I had so much fun creating this piece. Both kids have asked if I can make a mold of their hand (minus the potato peeler!) It'll have to wait til after next week when I can breathe again after handing in all my assignments.

Torn Posters

2008-09-11T17:33:00.003+12:00

Added the final touches to this image today. I took photos of some torn posters of Sarah Jessica Parker on a magazine cover then played with them in photoshop. I was also looking at using photos of texture so I took some of peeling paint and a worn plastic sign. Got it up in my studio space now. It's all coming together ok. I seem to be in the groove now that we've got the laptop to use. I'm using it so much, definately worthwhile getting. Got my research in today - a day early! So unlike me :) I've been researching Mimmo Rotella. He died only a couple of years ago. Italian artist, part of the Nouveau Realistes of the 60's. Did a lot of stripped paper posters of movie stars.

Darling buds of Spring

2008-09-10T17:19:00.005+12:00

Here's a small artwork I did last week for a friend. I tried out some textured background on a newspaper base. Found some papers that would suit the spring flower idea. I called this the darling buds of spring cause I really want Spring to get here and to stop raining!! I moved away from Auckland to get away from the rain. Nelson is supposed to be sunny!! Anyway... I enjoyed trying out background ideas and will do some more as soon as tech finishes. Hopefully the 2 week break will allow me to produce a whole new batch of artwork for my etsy shop.

Type Poster

2008-09-01T14:51:00.004+12:00

Created this type poster today using Indesign. Featuring Garamond and Matura fonts. Am quite pleased with it - better than my one I did last year! Maybe I should have tried some colour in it but not sure.

Altered Book

2008-08-14T12:44:00.014+12:00

1st page with niches cut for handmade books.

Finally got some pics taken of my altered book. This is my first go at one of these which I made as my Object studio project. I worked with the sculptural elements of an altered book and carved out niches for other 'books'.

2nd and 3rd pages

On the 2nd page I've cut a window and re-inserted a rectangle of text on it's side. Two other windows look thru to book images on page 3. On page 3 these windows look back to the illustration on page 2. Page 3 also has a stepped niche cut for the material book to sit.

This shows the cuts I have made to different levels of pages as well as the niches cut for the two metal books. The book at the bottom right is made from copper with a quote punched into it. The book below left has been made from recycled aluminium plates used to print newspapers.

This shows the material book with it's stepped niche that it sits inside.

I have called this piece "Absence of the book"

Shaun Tan

2008-08-08T17:17:00.004+12:00

Discovered this Australian author/illustrator just a few weeks ago and was quite fascinated. Then found they had 'The Arrival' at tech so had to take it home. What an amazing book. No words, just pictures but such emotion and feeling conveyed with those pics. Will be looking out for any more of his books and might even have to purchase some. Check out Shaun Tan here.

Drawing and Design

2008-07-30T12:12:00.006+12:00

Jim Dine Shellac Orientale, 1973

Had a great day yesterday in my drawing class. Discovered the artist Jim Dine, in particular his drawings. His style is quite dark at times, detailed and yet ghosted and minimal in the same drawing. I'm definitely going to try and emulate his style in the 'Dramatizing the Object' project. Will need a bit of practice though. Made a few attempts in class but have a long way to go. It's great to be inspired tho!

We got to experiment with charcoal and ink washes and next week we're going to do collage and photo montage. One of Jim Dine's drawings was created over a photograph. This is one of the approaches I'm going to explore.

Discovered I was in another treasury as well. This treasury was over in Treasury West. It's nice to be noticed and included in these. I'm the one with the sunflower.

Exploring blogging

2008-07-28T13:37:00.003+12:00

I've learned quite a bit this morning about what you can add to your blog. Put a couple of things in, such as my flickr page which I have since updated. Some pics are on there that won't be in my etsy shop.

Added 1 new ACEO to my etsy shop this morning. Flotation. I created this earlier in the year as part of the postcard exchange I join in with when I can. I will add another one as soon as it's ready for the web.

Nearly a year

2008-07-27T16:54:00.004+12:00

Just about a year since my first post. I think it's time I wrote something! I've been looking at some wonderful blogs lately and since I've started my etsy store a few weeks ago, I thought it would be good to blog about it, amongst other things.

Got into my first treasury the other day. Here's a screen shot of the whole treasury.
These artists are some of my favourites from etsy. Their work is incredibly inspiring. There are some other artists that I haven't come across as well so it's given me a great chance to discover some new favourites.

Since the treasuries are only around for a few days I thought it was a good idea to save a pic of it here for prosperity.

I'm enjoying being on etsy. Meeting new friends, discovering wonderful artists and hopefully it won't be long before I make my first sale. :)

Finally blogging!

2007-08-24T15:34:00.000+12:00

Well I've just made a blog to see what this is all about. I'd like to have a place where I can post my experiments in mixed media work to see my progress along the way. Hopefully this will also encourage me to create more work to post here. Haven't made anything new for several weeks now and it's time to get back into it.
Next post will have an accompanying pic!