Lisa J. Murphy

Ken Robinson - insight into creativity in education...

2010-11-15T19:07:00.003Z

Great speaker. Definetly raised points of interest in relation to my MDes Project. More to come.

Till later x

Made in Scotland Flyer.

2010-10-25T20:59:00.004+01:00

My piece modelled by a fabulous friend. The gorgeous and talented actress Rachel McCreath.

Till later x

Made in Scotland Exhibition.

2010-10-24T14:32:00.006+01:00

Lorraine Law, Commercial Street Dundee.
3rd-13th November 2010

Made in Scotland, an exhbition of 15 current contempary jewellers, some like myself newly graduated, others well established. I have made some more commercial pieces for this event, which will be displayed alongside my degree show collection.

Come along and have a gander!

Till later x

New Degree...New Blog?

2010-09-21T18:13:00.003+01:00

Being an undergrad student seems like a long time ago now (...okay only a few months ago!), and so with the beginning of my postgraduate Master of Design-I feel its time for change.
Initially, I had considered a new blog-a new beginning, but I simply don't have the heart to get rid of 3 years worth of posts (all be it some of them awful!). So to a spring cleanout-I have got rid of some posts which weren't very relevant, and will continue to post, now as a postgraduate student.

So until my first 'proper' post as a postgrad student...

Till later x

Website!

2010-05-26T20:16:00.003+01:00

www.lisajmurphy.co.uk

Check out my website! Brand new! Designed by myself, and made by Iain Fergus of DarkFlareDesign.

Degree Show 2010!

2010-04-23T07:26:00.002+01:00

Details to follow....!

Explorational Drawings....

2009-11-12T13:51:00.006Z

[Click on images to enlarge]

A few research drawings that are being developed into proper designs. I like to work by drawing whatever is in my head onto paper and then develop and refine onto possible design ideas. In previous years being restricted to a brief and theme didn't allow this freedom and I struggled. But being in 4th year is great! Self directed study!

I have made a decision that I will not be showing final design ideas and pieces until Degree Show-need to keep the surprise element! Development I will show, to give everyone an idea of what I'm about, but not to spoil the surprise! (and hopefully it'll be a good one!)

Till Later x

The Goldsmiths Company-Precious Metal Bursary Design Boards

2009-11-12T12:49:00.009Z

[Click images to enlarge]

After a few failed attempts on Illustrator I hope these boards represent my design idea pretty well! Rhino has truly done me in-but the overall impression works so I can't complain too much! Following will be a few more of my inspiration drawings for my final year work.
1 piece down...lots more to go before May! And dissertation of course.....

Till later x

Just like home...

2009-10-09T10:42:00.004+01:00

My final year studio desk. I've popped up some images, got a wee pile of postits and its beginning to get a bit more homely! Though safe to say, I think the studio will end up as my 2nd home this year, especially after Christmas when degree show pressure takes it tole.

Till later x

NB. This desk will never be this tidy...never ever again judging by previous desks...!

Dissertation Finding!

2009-09-29T21:35:00.007+01:00

The Sketch Furniture series was developed by a company called Front in Sweden. A bit messy perhaps, but the process seems amazing, tactile and something if refined would be amazing for possible jewellery exploration. Similar to the haptics used by Anne Marie Shillito and the Tacitus Project at ECA(skecthing in a 3D space) but slightly different technology. Some might find it boring, but think of the possibilities of sketching your designs(or part designs), refining and rapid prototyping as a method of practice-much more exciting than Rhino3D!

Till Later x

Tomorrow...

2009-09-13T14:04:00.003+01:00

Image taken from dundee.ac.uk

Tomorrow, the beginning of my final year. Safe to say I am (and I am sure everyone else in my class is also) very very very very very scared/excited/nervous etc.

Bring on the next 8 months of extreme stress, worry, excitment and sleepless nights...and then the degree show.

I know too well that time is going to fly by, so to everyone going into their honours year....

GOOD LUCK!

Till later x

Need to get a move on...

2009-09-01T12:06:00.005+01:00

I like this picture.

Fail to prepare...prepare to fail keeps ringing in my ears. I am now back in Dundee and have two solid weeks before I am an official final year student (one week if you count Freshers Week/Week zero/matriculation as being back at uni)! I have a pile of books for my dissertation, a pile of stuff for practical work. I need some direction! You can imagine what is more tempting to do...hmm.

Ahhh. That is all.

Till later x

PS. Any motivational techniques?!

PPS. I also like this picture, can't remember where I found it, and it has been on my computer for years, I like rummaging through all my old files. Another distraction from doing work, oops.

Busy busy busy!

2009-07-30T19:38:00.005+01:00

Okayyyy... it has been a while, but I have been really busy-honest! Last week I was down in London attending The Goldsmiths Company Jewellery Undergraduate Summer School at Goldsmiths Hall. 20 Undergraduates from all over Britain attended, and I met some really fantastic people-it was really interesting to hear from other undergrads...and also reassuring, I think they're all just as scared as I am!

The tutorials were run by Dr Stuart Devlin, and Peter Taylor, Director or Training and Technology at Goldsmiths Hall and based on creativity, idea generation and new technologies within the craft-all of which were extremely beneficial. The studies centered on group discussions, to sketching sessions...on the first day Stuart even had us drawing a simple cube in 3D and rendering it! But to our surprise, the majority,if not all of us couldn't get it quite right. The emphasis on drawing, however simple, allows for even better idea generation. The easier you can draw an idea on paper from your head, there more ideas you can get out! Otherwise,as Stuart told us, we are preventing our own creativity from producing the best ideas. Which after the idea generating exercises last week, I can see how true it is!

Within a full timetable including Assay office visits, workshop visits and the valuable trade industry evening, I can say that last week was amazing, and I feel so lucky to have been given the opportunity to go.

The passion these amazing people have for our craft is staggering, the contribution both have already made to our trade is outstanding, and they are desperate to keep that alive in the jewellery and metalwork students. From both of their careers profiles I think all 20 of us have learned to aim high-because we never know where we might end up in 10,20,30 years time. We are the future of our craft after all, who will be there to support it when these amazing people are no longer here? Scary thought.

Till later x

PS. Will hopefully get round to posting about dissertation work and practical work...once I get is figured out in my own head! After last week my mind is full to bursting!

Final 3rd Year Presentation...

2009-05-09T18:20:00.002+01:00

This is my final presentation, minus a few labels and pictures! I went for the colour scheme that I used for my 2nd year presentation strangely!

Looking back on my work, I feel within my sketchbooks I definitely have my 'thing', but as for transforming that into my final pieces...that's been a challenge this year! Now that I am working towards my final year work, I feel I will definitely come into my own, as I don't feel constrained by any tutors brief, but working on my own! So hopefully my final designs will be much stronger. In saying that, I am very happy with my overall grade of a 'B'! Only one more step to an 'A' for next year eh?! ;-) Here's hoping!

Till Later x

PS. Having a Bachelors Degree is awesome-Lisa Murphy BDes !-now to get the Honours next year!

SketchbookSketchbookSketchbook!

2009-04-29T20:42:00.003+01:00

Got our 3rd year degree assessments on Friday-eeeek! Busily finishing off my display-wish me luck!!!

Pictures of the finished product soon!

Till Later x

Final Year Degree show P.O.A...ish

2009-03-27T12:59:00.003Z

Plan Of Action.

Had a meeting with my course tutor yesterday, to look at my source research and see what my thoughts on my final year collection.

Well, I have so many ideas I don't know what I'll be doing!!

All I know is-

Whatever I do will be quite abstract-with no notable inspiration (ie nature) but a combination of shape,texture and muted rich colour?

I like the combination of black and gold (black acrylic and gold metal? oxidised metal with gold acrylic?)...
I like using the lazer cutter to rastorize images onto acrylic. (almost like etching onto metal-same type of effect.)...
I like chunky & weighty pieces...
I like the combination of acrylic with metal(I like the balance.)...
And I like simple, architectural shapes involving curves/straight lines vs curves/traditional forms combined with abstract forms...

And that's not all!

I just need to make sure it all comes together!-will be writing a brief for my 4th year which I will pop up when written.

Till later (when I have my thought more structured!!!)x

Narrative project...done!

2009-03-18T19:17:00.009Z

Firstly, I am going to say, I don't think the photographs do my 3 final brooches justice, as the images project a very 2D result. However the multiple layers produced using the lazercutter, create a depth that a plain image just doesn't have. All 3 brooches show the same image-a scantly clad lady, staring at (or perhaps lusting after!) a man smoking a cigarette. All use both acrylic-clear,mirrored and gold, backed with silver or have silver brooch fittings.

Brooch 1 -Black and clear acrylic layered and riveted.

Brooch 2-Gold Acrylic

Brooch 3-Mirrored Acrylic and Silver riveted.

So now to get my artist statement completed!...I'll pop it up when I'm done, hopefully it'll make sense!

Till Later x

Auflux?! or Oflux....

2009-03-07T20:43:00.005Z

These designs are by Aurorisa Mateo, an outstanding independent jewellery designer and recognized architect in Europe. You can see the works at Oflux his online gallery and store. Just shows that any skills can be transferred into multiple disciplines! I do enjoy sculptural and architecture forms. The rings,however simple, do have a strong presence...my favourite is the ring in the back of the photograph....very architectural!

I will soon be posting my final piece (s!?) for the Narrative project...10days and counting!

Till Later x

Narrative project...

2009-02-22T22:08:00.004Z

We have been given a narrative project, and to create a final brooch that conveys a message/ideal/story. A list of around 20 phrases/political issues etc such as 'Vanity', 'Globalization' and 'Until Death do us part' were given to us to choose from...and I chose 'Lust'. I'm already struggling with this project, trying to convey a message or story in a piece however subtly is baffling me a bit. However I keep having images from the Film Noir style popping up in my head... corseted woman, detective smoking cigarettes in the moonlight, shutters half open-streaming light and shadow into a space. Almost deception that can never be proved? All very up in the air at the moment! But I have got loooooots of images of shutters to keep me amused-maybe those will inspire me!

A lot of pondering still to do...

Till Later x

Research Project...result!

2009-02-06T22:49:00.004Z

Finally, I have some actual jewellery to show for this year! Third year has been hectic, but all studio design based stuff, not much workshop goings on! Safe to say, now that this project has ended, my poor little fingers are in pieces, my nails are non-existent...! Got to suffer for your art...right?!

This is my final outcome from the research project...a spine piece-but basically a long brooch!

It is made up of several elements...all similar forms though! Nice oxidised silver and yummy 24ct gold plating...noooice! Think the black on gold, may be a recurring thing in my final year work next year..hmm...

Next project is due to start at the beginning of the week...seems intruiging- a narrative project in whihc we will be purely inspired by NON-RESEARCHED inspiration, so no books, no internet, just a poem/story to create images from! Time will tell how I cope...it'll go either one way or the other!

Till Later x

New York...

2009-02-02T22:15:00.003Z

Think the picture says it all...

Will have a more descriptive post by next week, our current project is due to end-hopefully with a good result ;-)!

Till Later x

Projects...

2008-11-09T19:11:00.007Z

Pretty new double satin ribbon from John Lewis in a lovely dark plum colour, yum!

But more to the point,okay, I admit, I haven't been on here in quite a while!!! But honestly, we( the 3rd years) have been run off our feet with projects. We have been given a year long source project, gathering together a wealth of material-sketches,images etc to help inspire us throughout our coursework this year and into our final year for our degree collection.

In addition, we have just completed a project competition for the V&A in London-scary stuff! Though unfortunately the pieces did not have to be made, so I sat countless afternoons doing 3D work on the CAD packages Rhino-eurgh! The headaches that were caused by staring at a computer screen were countless!

However, now we have been given a project that should spark our creativity, and have some fun in the workshop too! The project named 'The Ring Exchange' will involve each designer designing a ring (simple or completly extravegant!) and create a set of 'instructions' through drawings and written information on A3 boards. THEN all our names will be popped into a hat, and will each be given someone elses ring to make! I can hear the groans and moans already (especially for me!), but it will be a learning curve, and perfect practise for commissioning pieces.

So this week will involve..to design a suitable ring! Hopefully something uber complicated and detailed! Mwhahaha! No, that would be mean though I know the other girls are thinking it too! Hehe! Nah we all love each other really!

Till Later x

Monday Morning...

2008-09-18T12:41:00.005+01:00

At the crack of dawn(well...8.30ish), both myself and my new flatmate Nicola Reed(also a fellow new 3rd year jeweller-see links) will be embarking on a slight, but also tiring trek back to Uni, where all the fun stuff will start back over again!

Safe to say we are both panicking tremendously over the unfinished summer projects we both have...let's hope we can do it in the remaining 4 days, minus of course the remaining few nights out in freshers week..!

So I am hoping to start posting a few more interesting blogs once I get back into the swing of things. Good thing is we have a kettle in the studio! "Hurrah!" Soo lots of cuppas to keep us going!

Till later x

Affected lines...

2008-09-11T16:11:00.006+01:00

(layer images on tracing paper...)

Okay, project...a week on Monday to go...really need to get a move on! (And I think I'm not alone in the last minute panic amongst my class!)

Being on the water is my thing, I love the feeling of sitting on the bow, with my legs dangling overboard, powering through the water,disrupting the natural rhythm. So I thought it only right to study for the pre-named 'Awakening the Senses' sketchbook (our task for this summer), was the thing that makes me feel most alive!
I have gathered some images of masts, stays, spreaders and general boaty'ness! I love the curved lines, lines that follow on from each other...almost liquid lines!

So at the moment I am studying line, and then affecting it by extending from the original projection and pushing it out so all the lines eventually connect, creating forms and structure, whether the lines be curved, straight or angled.

The natural projection of the free flowing curved 'stream' lines, featured in the design of water vessels I hope will help me design a piece or pieces of tablewear, that will sit comfortably, and be pleasing to the eye, because of the natural line progression....well thats the idea anyway!

Now to put my ideas onto paper...easier said than done!

Till much much later...x

When time flies by...

2008-08-09T18:35:00.005+01:00

Oh how I love the water so. The picture above was taken from the back of my dad's boat after leaving Lamlash bay in Arran on the West Coast of Scotland. To the right(outwith the picture) is the Holy Isle. Again...beautiful light, very inspiring...possible inspiration for the summer project? Will fill you in on that soon.....

Now I will leave you with the image of a little friend that followed us into the Marina after our exuberant afternoon....I'd like to call him, Sam the Seal ;-)

Till later x

Beautiful light....

2008-06-08T18:18:00.004+01:00

Being back next to the sea has many advantages, but my other half, living right next to the beach has the best view, a picturesque sunset, every single night! Good thing I had my camera handy!

Till later x

2nd Year...done!

2008-05-05T13:20:00.003+01:00

I must say, I can't believe I am half way through University now.

Two years down, two to go. The hard stuffs just about to start.

But for now, I'm elated! Overall 'B' for my 2nd year, which is awesome! Will just need to make sure I keep up the practice over the summer, so I go into my 3rd year with fresh ideas, and good inspiration.

Off to see Aussie Pink Floyd tonight in the Clyde Auditorium, amazing music and amazing visual effects, bring on the photos!

Till later x

Celebration and Anticipation....

2008-05-01T22:54:00.004+01:00

After assessments yesterday (which I must say, I'm quietly confident afterward, which must be a good thing!) all the Jewellery ladies truly celebrated the end of 2nd year! Several cocktail bars, the union and the 24hour bakery here in Dundee-I would say a very good night!

Unfortunately, feeling sliiiiightly under the weather today, that last 'Woo-woo' almost definitely cause the headache I've had all day!

And so to tomorrow, once recovered from last night, I will have a 10minute review with the tutors to be given my grades for the semester, broken down into 'Presentation', 'Metalwork' and 'Research and Development'. Will update soon...

Till later x

Presentation and Organisation...

2008-04-29T17:56:00.003+01:00

Okay...so assessments tomorrow. Safe to say my stomach is churning at a million miles an hour. I'm quietly confident in my work, but then there is alway that what if! Heres hoping it will all go okay.

Think of me at 11.30 tomorrow morning!

Till later x

Extra time...

2008-04-24T20:13:00.008+01:00

...means extra pieces!

Well...above is two pieces(the ring is kinda fun, not serious!...Lettraset is awesome, though you do end up putting it on everything, as seen above!) from the 'felt project'. Okay, it wasn't a project as such, but Teena(2nd year tutor) gave us all 3 pieces of thick felt,cut from the laser cutter, and we all were given the same shapes.

Being the way I am, I wanted to get rid of the softness as soon as possible...and the general cream colour.(In addition to that, the foul smell from being cut with the laser, the outer edge was singed.) So after 3 coats of varnish, then black acrylic paint, then another coat of varnish I was satisfied! Then, I became influenced by the almost egg shape, and so saw pierced a piece of sheet silver, and then etched it to give a texture. Then riveted(and hid the rivetts ;-) ) the silver sheet on the front and brooch fittings on the back and tra-la!

Over easter, we were all given certain 'tasks'. I was to develop my skecthbook form the armpiece project(seen in an older post) and so made a small pin brooch(very cute!)...
and a ring(a bit rushed and not really planned...but another piece all the same!)....So that's about all I've got to show at the moment. Please excuse the rubbish quality of the pictures, the light in my room was dwindling, and hate using my flash with metal giving such a glare!

Wednesday assessments, eeek!

Till later x

Home and Back again...

2008-04-22T13:04:00.005+01:00

Back from spring holiday at home, too it easy for a couple of weeks, very easy! Enjoyed being back in my seaside town for a wee while, winding down from the hussle bussle of the city.

Unfortunately, it was too windy to get the family's wee speedboat out, and the larger boat was in getting some TLC after the winter storms hit the marina. I love being out on the water, its the ultimate relaxation/fun! This photo was taken on the way to Arran last summer, you can just see the Lady Isle to the right! The water was like glass-amazing!

Back to Dundee now and I foresee that this week is gonna be a busy one, because by next Wednesday after we have been assessed we will all be nervously waiting our results. Yesterday was quite productive! Managed to make another brooch(for the felt project) and a ring(bit of a fiddle, undecided if its going to be submitted or not!).

Today...not so productive, though I know I have to do some sketchbook work, to plan another couple of pieces to make this week, along with changing the clasp on my armpiece(picture featured on an older post) as the T-Bar isn't supportive enough for the weight of the piece.

Eurgh....stresses, though I'm sure, not as stressful as the current fourth years, less than 2 weeks till their degree show, so good luck guys!

More pictures as I finish the pieces, and even if your lucky, some final display pictures-if my presentation is any good!!

Till later x

First brooch...done!

2008-03-28T12:03:00.004Z

My first brooch everyone! Not the best picture I have taken admittedly, doesn't do my handy work justice! The piece consists of 2 layers rivetted together, the base sheet is silver, smooth and oxidised to a shiny navy, and the top layer again silver, melted. Between the layers I have 'trapped' a piece of geodite (?). I was inspired by cracks in concrete and stone, from the drawing project, and so transferred this into metal.

Easter holidays now! Hope to have a little go of making some bits and bobs, so if I do, I'll pop them up!

Till later x

Tying up loose ends....

2008-03-21T19:44:00.005Z

Well this time next week, I can officially say I have completed my 2nd year, oh how very scary!! (Well, can't say that until the assessments after easter, but hey I'm hoping to wing it!).

Today I completed my final project for Teena, our arm piece inspired by a piece of literature.
And this is the result!...I took on 'Echos' by Pink Floyd (I love the use of metaphorical phrasing in the lyrics). I found the line 'labyrinths of coral caves' particularly inspiring, and the whole idea of echoing forms creating a labyrinth of shapes on the arm.
Each link has been saw pierced from silver sheet and domed, and connects together with a half circle piece of silver wire, balled and flattened to allow as much movement as possible. The length is approximately 60cm long and can be wrapped around the wrist/arm/neck and connects together with an adapted T-Bar catch.

I must say, I am rather proud of the result! Let's hope that Teena thinks the same! Hehe.

Now onto completing my brooch for Sarah-almost done! Just to rivet all the elements together and put on a steel pin, then I'll pop a photo up! Fingers crossed it goes okay.

Then by Thursday we have to have our 2000 Design History Theory and Practice essay hand-in. I chose the first question all about the meaning within jewelery and who gives it, the maker or wearer, eurgh for the tedious source searching.

Till later x

Stone Setting Project-Done!

2008-02-28T16:59:00.006Z

I must say, I feel rather guilty..... The stone setting project finished over a week ago and I have yet to put up my final 3 pieces! No time like the present I suppose!

All three final rings feature an element of acid etching, to compliment high polished smooth surfaces. In addition, to add detail, I used random granulation with complimentary stone settings to meet the brief.

On to the next project. Or projectS!

Every Tuesday for the next four weeks, one of our tutors Sarah will be running a project with us to make a highly finished brooch-very exciting! I'm basing most of my ideas on cracks in walls!...weird I know, but I want to have multiple layers riveted with stones set and hidden at certain angles...hmm....I feel a sketch coming on!

The main project we're going to be working on is an armpiece inspired by a piece of literature, I am undecided on my exact piece, but as soon as I know I'll pop it up!

Till Later x

Time flys by!....

2008-01-15T14:22:00.003Z

I have noticed that I haven't written anything since November, shocking! So I better give a update on what I've been up to the past month and a bit! I have completed the 'Wire Project', basing my structure and brooch on light and shadow patterns through sketchbook drawings. My final 'brooch' had a sliding catch, so to attach it to the body, you moved that catch from its 'hidden' area to attach, and slide back into place when wearing.

And now for the next project!

The first of this semester(theres gonna be 2 overall) is a stone setting project where we have to complete a 'set' of 3 rings. So far I've just been developing my design sketches within my sketchbook, though I have made two rings! In silver! And I set a stone! Oh yes! All firsts, so I am very proud of myself :-D!

Till later x

Resin Project, done!

2007-11-20T19:50:00.002Z

After a mad rush to finish our project, all of us 2nd year jewellers now have 3 finished beads each...phew! We are gradually getting over the fumes from the resin and clearing away all our rotten fruit, safe to say the flys are not amused!
I am quite happy with my final 3 beads, they could have been better finished, perhaps more simplistic, but they link to my thought process throughout my sketchbook, so I'm satisfied!

My idea was to not look at the fruit itself, but analyze the description behind it, so I used descriptive words to identify areas of my fruit!(Royal Gala Apple..!)

Sooo, just got our new project today...going to be wire base, so studying line in the environment around us for some inspiration....not excited yet! But I will get there! Now, to be alot alot alot excited about, tomorrow we're getting a workship on brooch fitting etc, woohoo! Bring on the Christmas present making! Hehe.

Till later x

Chilly Weather...

2007-11-12T21:16:00.002Z

Don't you hate when it's at that 'inbetween' stage in weather, where the summers gone, autumns here, but you feel like winters days away? The chill in the air here is taking it's toll on all us early bird art students up at 9 in the morning, trudging down to the studio, barely awake, though shocked with the cold!

Then! At 4 o'clock it's pitch black outside and the thought of walking home again in about an hour, again in the cold....eugh!

But on a more positive note, the project is progressing well, though soon the slight panic will take hold of us all due to the thought of the last minute rush!

I am beginning to really enjoy using the resin and plastics, though I'm looking forward to experimenting with some designs that include using metal and resin, could create some interesting effects... oooh the possibilities!

Till later x

A little to begin with...

2007-11-04T14:48:00.003Z

In May of this year I completed a General Art and Design Course at Duncan of Jordanstone last year and loved it!

So I then internally reapplied into my 2nd Year to do Jewellery and Metalwork, which I started in September this year. It's what I have allllways wanted to do, so I'm really putting my all into the projects we've been given.

The first project was based on texture-we made paper, then metal samples to lead onto a final vessel design inspired by the textures we had already experimented with-safe to say I burnt my hands, cut them, hammered then several times!!! Within the 4 week project we got taught some basic skills such as soldering, scoring, and using some other tools within the workshop environment. The course seems to be about self discipline and teaching yourself skills and techniques through making mistakes! Its a good way of working, though with those who haven't done jewellery and metalwork before(which is 14/17 of us!) its a bit hard to get your head around.

The project we are currently working on is....a bit random to be honest! All 17 of us were given a piece of fruit (I got given a Royal Gala Apple....) and told to research pour given fruit within a sketchbook in a 2 week time period. Not just the fruit either-we have to 'think outside the box (or the fruit)'. Now we have researched our fruit, we have to become inspired and experiment with resins and moulds to create/design 3 'beads'. THEN we will be split into groups to design/create a way of piecing all of our beads together to be displayed within the department.

Sounds....interesting?!

Hopefully will keep this blog up-to-date on what I'm up to in the studio and my inspirations out with Uni life.

Till later x