Sara-Louise Dobson 28/09/2024 Sara-Louise Dobson 28/09/2024

A World Without Colour..

Looking over my research from the last 12 months, the main things that stand out are my curiosity for raw materials, for the monochrome, the bare bones of materials. Having recently read Patrick Grant’s Less, this further cemented my yearning to make a difference, by going back to basics in a sense. From a visual art point of view, my eye is often drawn to black & white. I shoot in B&W, I began my jounrey into portrait realism in B&W, I love the rich, deep tones of charcoal, along with it’s raw, natural aesthetic. Some of the most striking imagery I have ever seen has been purely B&W. Perhaps by avoiding colour, we accentuate a deeper level of substance, that speaks far more nuanced and cuts deeper than anything else.

Sara-Louise Dobson 19/08/2024 Sara-Louise Dobson 19/08/2024

Back to Black

I have always had a fascination with monochromatic imagery. From visual art to photography and even interior design, black and white seems to have a timeless look, that appeals to me.

When I began painting professionally, I reached for black and white as a way to hone my skills in tone, shade and form. Taking away the colour mixing aspect certainly helped to develop my skills as a painter. As well as this, I thoroughly loved the finished effect over colour. There was an air of sophistication, timelessness and beauty.

Sara-Louise Dobson 02/08/2024 Sara-Louise Dobson 02/08/2024

A Cultural Cacophony

Sometimes we find ourselves at a crossroads when we least expect it. Last year, my plans consisted of another year of my MA, whilst exploring opportunities within the creative arts industry for a future beyond my MA. In what now seems like a whirlwind, I took a sabbatical and found myself moving back onto land, and happened across an opportunity to teach art onboard cruise ships, whilst travelling the world.

Sara-Louise Dobson 13/04/2023 Sara-Louise Dobson 13/04/2023

You Can’t Handle The Truth.

It has been several years now since I started this journey, and I have encountered more frustration than I could have possibly imagined. Embracing my passion for the arts, simultaneously allowed me to pull down the mask and see the world completely unfiltered, but that also meant bearing my own self to the world, perhaps in a way previously unseen.

Sara-Louise Dobson 02/04/2023 Sara-Louise Dobson 02/04/2023

Vlog 2.4.23

Sara-Louise Dobson 23/03/2023 Sara-Louise Dobson 23/03/2023

Nothing About Us Without Us

Yesterday I took a trip to Manchester to visit the People’s History Museum. I have been looking forward to visiting for some time, as it is very relevant to my interests and work in activism and background in sociology and history. My first stop was the temporary exhibition on the ground floor ‘Nothing about us without us’. I was struck firstly by the exhibition poster created by Dolly Sen (2012), depicting a charity collection can - it is wounding to see such imagery, so simple yet effective.

Sara-Louise Dobson 15/03/2023 Sara-Louise Dobson 15/03/2023

Soundbites & Textures: Walk With Me…

Since working with a variety of materials, including the concrete and raw wool, I have been really keen to explore other senses and how these not only relate to my current art practice, but could perhaps better articulate the sense of community I am attempting to articulate within my work. Using audio is something I feel strongly about, and through experience of accompanying my artwork with audio previously, I feel it enhances the work - if done correctly.

Sara-Louise Dobson 08/03/2023 Sara-Louise Dobson 08/03/2023

Interim Show Prep & Shoot

There was a mix of emotions, preparing for the Interim Show, and an awful lot to learn. My initial intentions were to have a physical installation at Trinity Buoy Wharf - anything else felt second best, and almost as if I had failed. Jonathan helped me to realise the logistics of getting a heavy concrete structure to London would perhaps detract from the magic of creating. I decided following a chat with him, that setting up the installation at home, and doing a photo and film shoot would be a different dynamic, and one that I would certainly enjoy.

Sara-Louise Dobson 19/02/2023 Sara-Louise Dobson 19/02/2023

Unit 1 Assessment

Sara-Louise Dobson 16/02/2023 Sara-Louise Dobson 16/02/2023

Lancaster Craftivists

Tonight was the first group event for the Lancaster Craftivists, at the local Gregson Arts Centre. I recently set up the group to help bring attention to the Craftivist Movement in this area, whilst hopefully meeting other like-minded people within the community.

Sara-Louise Dobson 16/02/2023 Sara-Louise Dobson 16/02/2023

‘Rocky’ Horror Show! (Take 2)

When I visualised an opposing structure using concrete and natural wool, I was incredibly excited by the idea. I felt the interim show would be the perfect opportunity to showcase this work in progress. I didn’t quite expect the trials and tribulations of its creation though….

Sara-Louise Dobson 09/02/2023 Sara-Louise Dobson 09/02/2023

A Taste of the Tate Modern

Sara-Louise Dobson 06/02/2023 Sara-Louise Dobson 06/02/2023

Reflecting on Study Statement 1.0 Submission

Writing the statement was initially a very linear process; taking the sub-headings and completing the relevant sections. As I went along however, I felt a constant urge to change, adjust, adapt or add to. This process of collating all of my research, ideas and theories into a coherent document, was not only therapeutic and useful, but also gave me a stronger sense of direction, and reaffirmed my own confidence in my work.

Sara-Louise Dobson 03/02/2023 Sara-Louise Dobson 03/02/2023

Tutorial #2

Sara-Louise Dobson 01/02/2023 Sara-Louise Dobson 01/02/2023

The Scars of Brent Delta

When I first drove into the village, I was captivated by the skyline of Seaham; the contrast of heavy industry against the countryside landscape. I found beauty in this, where others perhaps didn’t.

Sara-Louise Dobson 31/01/2023 Sara-Louise Dobson 31/01/2023

Study Statement 1.0

Sara-Louise Dobson 16/01/2023 Sara-Louise Dobson 16/01/2023

Functional Fibres Pt.2

As the New Year approached, I decided to submit my idea for these functional stationery products to UAL’s Not Just A Shop, with the hope of securing some valuable support in getting these products out into the world, whilst generating some well needed income.

Sara-Louise Dobson 08/01/2023 Sara-Louise Dobson 08/01/2023

RUINS [through a 35mm lens]

Sara-Louise Dobson 01/01/2023 Sara-Louise Dobson 01/01/2023

Inspiration from the Hungarian National Gallery

Whilst I enjoyed the classical paintings from the 17th - 19th century, I was particularly drawn to the modern art area on the third floor, offering a delightful selection of paintings from artists such as Monostori-Moller and Barcsay, to name a few.

Sara-Louise Dobson 16/12/2022 Sara-Louise Dobson 16/12/2022

Beyond the Iron Curtain

Much of the research and reading I have been doing lately, has come up with similar terms, encouraging me to think further about the direction of my practice. Images of raw materials, concrete, undecorated walls, demolition sites etc.

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