Chapter 1 - Research on stars or crosses:
The basic difference between the two shapes is that a cross has four 'arms' whilst a star has five or more.
Dictionary definitions:
Star = a graphic design having five or more radiating points; an emblem shaped like a conventionalised star often used as a symbol of rank or award; asterisk
Cross = a structure or symbol consisting of two intersection lines or pieces at right angles to one another; an emblem of christian religions.
I have decided to base my work for this module on stars, and did a bit of a brainstorm which produced the following ways in which stars are used in everyday language -
stardust, stargazing, shooting star (all relating to astronomy); starry-eyed and star-crossed (relating to love); star-studded, superstar and starstruck (with connotations of celebrity); star fish, star of Bethlehem and snowflakes (in nature); stars and stripes, star-spangled banner; seeing stars; star of David; star chamber; wish upon a star; star sign (astrology).
I split my research images into two categories: hand crafted stars and nature's stars
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As you can see from image No. 1-2, the images of hand-crafted stars were taken from my own photographs, magazines, the internet, cards and papers, and include the following:
part of a textile machine at a local museum; the base of a basket; the gates at Hampton Court Palace; a biscuit tin lid; a ceiling in Edinburgh; a stained glass window; a motif from the wallpaper in my hallway; an advent biscuit; hanging ornaments and Moroccan tiles in the British Museum. I found the latter particularly inspiring as in real life many of these tiles were bright turquoise and terracotta in colour which brought me to choose my colour scheme for this module.
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The flower photographs in my Nature's stars collection were taken in my garden and at Kew in London. The starfish were found online and I loved the asymmetrical starfish in particular so they may well show up again in later chapters.
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The line drawings were taken from a number of books as you will see from the list in image 1-6 above, and I can only say I am very grateful to Jan Messent!
The rubbings were made with brown charcoal on white tissue paper of the base of a basket (the same one photographed above) and some snowflake shaped pastry cutters.
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The colour wheel took a long time to complete as yet again I found mixing the colours really quite difficult to achieve to my liking. The two complementary colours I have chosen to use are turquoise/peacock blue and reddish orange. Turquoise is one of my favourite colours though I've never used it with orange before. I've ventured as far around the colour wheel as lime green and purple in the past. In fact orange is not a colour I've used much at all, so this choice will ensure that I stray some way outside my comfort zone.
