Across the Pennines for an interview with Mr Finch

At the moment, my Year 8 classes are making three-dimensional moths and butterflies out of wire and fabric. The talented Mr Finch is their main artistic inspiration and as we discussed his work in preparation for their artist study, I found that the pupils were bursting with questions to ask him. To save Mr Finch from being bombarded with 62 separate emails (!), I collated their thoughts and we were delighted that he was able to take the time to answer them all. Thank you Mr Finch! You can read their questions and his replies below.

Did you like Art at school and were you good at it?
I did like Art at school ...actually I loved it. I had a really fab teacher who gave us a lot of freedom. If you have a great teacher, then it makes the world of difference and often you don't realise just how good your teacher was until you are older.
What inspired you to be an artist?
I never wanted to be anything else.  It was never a conscious decision to become an artist. I just always felt the strong urge to be creative. I knew that the only way that I could be truly happy was to do it as much art I could and hopefully one day make a living out of it. I am very lucky to be doing it as my job, but it is still a job and I have to work very hard at it.  But it is the best thing in the world.
What is your favourite thing about nature?
I love how nature is an endless source of inspiration, it is everywhere you just have to look. I live in the city and I still see midnight foxes and secret magpies building nests into the roof from where I live. There is always something new to see or learn and there are always new species being found every year.

Why did you go into Textiles?

I moved into Textiles deliberately, as for years I had tried many different mediums from leather work to paper craft and I just wanted to see what would happen. It then just seemed like the best fit and now it seems like I had been searching for ages for a way to interpret my ideas. Textiles suits me the best out of everything I have tried.

If you weren't a Textile artist, what would you be?

I would like to be involved in the world of insects in some way. Not sure in which way though! I am always quite jealous of when you see those museums full of wooden drawers and cases filled with beetles and butterflies. I’d like to work somewhere like that. Maybe I would try conservation and do some field work out in a tropical jungle...

Why do you like nature so much?

I love nature for so many reasons. I love how symbolic animals and birds are. I particularly like the stories and folklore that surround them.

What is your favourite insect?

This is hard but if I had to pick a single insect it would be the Orchid Mantis. It is a really sinister insect but one that I find incredibly beautiful. Apparently it hides in a flower and is the most amazing shade of pink.

More images of this fascinating creature can be seen here

When you make your butterflies and moths, do you have a design or do you freestyle?

Yes, I do use a pattern especially for the butterflies and moths. I’ve made then freestyle in the past but they can come out a bit too big and clumsy looking so I try to limit this and stay within a certain size and shape. The spider and beetles however are mostly cut freehand.

How long does it take to make your insects and creations?

I can usually make a couple of insects in one day, however larger work can take days. The really large work like the swan and huge moths took a couple of weeks to make. They are made in exactly the same way as the smaller items just bigger and a ton more stuffing!

What is your favourite creature that you have made so far?

I really like to make insects, plus the spiders and moths are really fun to make. I find them satisfying to create and they often have really distinctive personalities quite early on.

Why do you use vintage materials in your work?

Using vintage and old fabrics is something I have always done and will always continue to do. I love turning something old or something that is only destined to be thrown away into something new and beautiful. Initially I worked with old clothes because I had no money to use anything else. Even if I became super rich I would still use the same fabrics. Old things and fabrics have had lives and maybe had adventures. You are sewing in a story, it’s this thought process that I love and which is so important and central to my work.

Are any of your pieces in collections worldwide and if so, in which countries?

I'm lucky in that my work is all over the world from Japan and U.S.A to France and Africa. I have people who collect my work and have heard that Emma Watson collects my beetles.

Have you ever had ‘artists block’?

I have yes but it is not something I suffer from much or have often. Everybody has a different cure for being 'blocked' and how to get out of it. I don't think it is as simple as one cure unblocks everyone. Trying to see as many new things as possible and drenching my brain in nature programmes or books tends to do the job for me though.

How much do you sell your work for?!

My works starts from £45 for a butterfly and goes up from there. Large wall hares and foxes start from £450. I’ve added old jewellery in the past which has pushed the price a lot higher but don't do this much though.

Please note that all images of Mr Finch’s art work are copyright of Mr Finch and can be viewed on his website or blog

Fabric Transfer Paint Tutorial

1. Apply Berol Fabric Transfer Paint (or an alternative brand) onto thin paper such as newsprint or cheap printer paper. Start off by experimenting with the paint application itself. You can apply the transfer paint with a sponge for large block areas of colour or use a paintbrush for areas of detail. You could even use a calligraphy dip pen for fine lines.

2. After you have let the paint dry on the paper, you will need to investigate how the colours transfer on to different fabrics. Man-made fabrics with a sheen take the colour best, although you can use natural, light weight fabrics too. Cut up the colours into small shapes and place paint side down on to a piece of fabric.

3. Sandwich the fabric and paper shapes between a piece of greaseproof paper, place inside the heat press (which needs to be switched on 10 minutes before use) and close the lid. If you do not have access to a heat press, you can dry iron over the top of the greaseproof paper. In order to dry iron, you will need to remove the water from the iron and switch the steam setting off. Take care not to move the paper whilst ironing otherwise you will end up with a ghost print next to your image.

4. The longer you leave the greaseproof paper sandwich under the heat, the more vibrant the colours will be. You will need to take care not to burn delicate fabrics by leaving them under the heat for too long. Natural fabrics will need longer under the heat and the colours will be less vibrant. It is advisable to experiment with temperature settings to achieve desirable results. It should be noted that the heating process also seals the paint on to the surface of the fabric. Let the paper and fabric cool down before inspecting your work!

5. Once you are happy with the colour tests you are ready to create a fabric transfer design. In this project, students took buildings as their inspiration. Students painted a range of colours (some were mixed together to create a wider colour palette) onto paper before carefully cutting and collaging them on to a thin paper background. Note that students used glue sticks sparingly when collaging, as the glue itself reacts with the heat and can leave blotchy effects on the fabric. 

Students in this particular project were producing fabric swatches for a design brief but other applications for this technique could range from tote bags to t-shirt designs. The fabric transfer paint technique is really good fun and produces great results. The main advantage of it is that you can quickly transfer imagery onto fabric in a low tech way using easily accessible equipment that can be found around the home.

I have been exploring this technique further with Kiran Lee on her 'Table Top Textiles' course at Hot Bed Press ready to use with Key Stage 3 students. Watch this space!

 

French Knots Studio - Crochet

Ever since my grandma taught me how to crochet simple flowers several years ago, I have had an urge to learn more about the craft. As she doesn’t live on my doorstep, I was determined to find a local course that would help me to make them again. Coincidentally, French Knots Studio in Sale offers courses in crafts ranging from stitch to crochet. 

Jo, the owner of French Knots Studio has transformed a brick outhouse at the bottom of her garden into a stylish yet homely haven and it is here that she runs her classes. The outhouse is beautifully decorated and is stuffed full of pretty textiles ephemera to inspire her students.

Jo has a generous manner and endless patience with her students. She has an obvious love of textiles and this really comes across as she guides you through the making process. The intimate size of her classes means that you get as much help as you need. The small, friendly nature of her studio allows students to chat, share advice, swap stories and munch on delicious biscuits (most important!). 

I’m delighted to say that my confidence with crochet has grown. After three courses I have gained enough skills to make a granny square cushion cover, a star garland and now I’m back full circle to making flowers. I’m not sure what I’ll use the flowers for yet but the most important thing for me is that I am enjoying making them again. Thanks Jo! 

 

The First Cut – Students’ Responses

The teacher’s preview evening of ‘The First Cut’ exhibition at Manchester Art Gallery included the opportunity to work with artists Nicola Dale and Andrew Singleton. Initially, the artists gave us an overview of their work to date and afterwards delivered workshops where they shared their secrets with us!

  This proved to be great fun and it was beneficial to us all as educators to be in the position of a learner for a change! I enjoyed the workshops so much that I took the ideas back to school and challenged my Year 12 students to take Nicola and Andrew’s ideas on board. Students were shown the artists’ work and after a demonstration were asked to work in small teams to explore the qualities of paper. 

Students initially experimented with different techniques ranging from piercing and slicing to rolling and wrapping. They were then asked to use the best of their ideas to create a group piece that could be hung in the style of Andrew Singleton. Their homework task was to take an old Manchester Art Gallery guide and create a small sculpture from it, as Nicola had asked us to do during her workshop. They were given the theme of water as the old guide was for a watercolour exhibition. One of the results of this task can be seen below. 

  It is interesting to see that this paper workshop and exhibition are still influencing students today as they work towards their final submission for Unit 3. I look forward to seeing the end results and would like to say a big thank you to Manchester Art Gallery, Nicola and Andrew for delivering such an inspirational session back in July.

SGS Explorers - Hydrotherapy Arts Project

Earlier this year Gifted and Talented Sale Grammar School students in Year 9 and 10 were commissioned by Lime, one of our Trust partners, to produce art work for the Hydrotherapy Arts Project at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.  The Therapy and Dietetic Department was in the process of being refurbished by Lime artists. The overall theme was based around the idea of journeys and sea voyages to reflect both the funding from Thomas Cook children’s charity and the hydrotherapy area within the unit.

The Secret Treasure Map that the explorers are next to is by Dawn Prescott and located in the Waiting Room of the Main Reception Area

Lime took inspiration from Thomas Cook’s round the world tours and aimed ‘to create a sense of journey of discovery and wonder for everyone who visits and works in the Therapy and Dietetic Department’. The theme runs throughout the unit and art work was especially created for corridors and changing areas to treatment rooms and the pool.

Our students were given the brief of creating art work for the waiting room and treatment areas. The work had to be suitable for the patient age group (1-16) and fit into a small box frame. I decided to tackle the brief by showing students the work of folk artists such as Julie Arkell, and challenging them to make an ‘explorer’ each. The students worked on the projects on several Saturdays from January to March, starting off with a wire and papier mache base and ending with stitched or knitted costumes. Each explorer was mounted on top of a map inside the box frames. The students also produced an account of the journey that their individual explorer was taking. The resulting accounts are humorous and imaginative.

The students’ work is absolutely outstanding and sits very comfortably with the commissioned pieces by artists Helen Kitchen, Brian Chapman, Rob Vale and Dawn Prescott. The project has afforded students the unique opportunity of a live commission and has made a significant contribution to our local community. It is now a bright, fun and interactive environment for all users of the unit– from patients to staff. You can see an overview of the transformation of the unit by clicking here.

Built Environment - Mood Boards Tutorial

This post offers advice about how to create a mood board (also known as an inspiration board). Mood boards help creative people, from fashion designers to jewellers, to start putting together ideas for a project or commission. They are a collection of photographs, drawings, notes, samples and swatches placed creatively to communicate your ideas and interests.

Mood board inspiration from decor8

The most important reason behind constructing a mood board is to focus your thoughts. This can be done by really thinking about the theme of your project and then gathering items that will help you to visualise it. You can find inspiration in many different places ranging from the paint department at your local DIY shop and haberdashers to magazines and the internet. You can often find inspiration in your own home – raid those cluttered drawers and forgotten boxes in the garage! I often photograph things and places that interest me on my phone to use at a later date.

The mood boards on this post concentrate on two of the artists’ featured in my first post and the Built Environment 1 board on Pinterest.

Eve Broadhurst’s colour scheme for her ‘Belgium from the Rooftops’ set of illustrations uses pretty pastel colours reminiscent of ice cream and lollies. I have put together a collection of objects on Pinterest called ‘Ice Cream and Lollies’ that describes the colour theme and captures the atmosphere of her illustrations.

Delicate illustration by Eve Broadhurst

It is important to think about the theme creatively and not just focus on finding images of ice cream or lollies. In this photograph, I have gathered together objects ranging from a vintage cotton reel and old buttons to modern day washi tape. The objects all reflect the colour scheme that Eve has used and the one that I would like to use on a mood board inspired by her work. I have then placed the items on an old tablecloth that my grandma hand embroidered. I have also photographed pastel sweets on a white background. The photographs shown here could be used to add extra interest to your mood board.

Jessica Hogarth and a-side studio’s illustration uses areas of bright, block colour. Their designs remind me of confectionery and I have put together a board on Pinterest called ‘Sweetie Brights’ that is inspired by their work. Here, visual interest ranges from boiled sweets to stacks of coloured pencils.

Finally, make sure that you are inspired by the items that you are placing on your mood board. Be sparing with the use of text, take care over the composition and use samples to create additional interest (such as buttons, or scrabble piece or ribbon). Most of all, have fun putting it all together!

 Examples of two pupils' mood boards inspired by Ice Cream and Lollies

 Examples of two pupils' mood boards inspired by Sweetie Brights