RUTH BALL Illustration Friday Post

Phenomenon

2010-12-12T13:32:00.000-08:00

Silver Birch Trees in Frost - Digital image.

Frosted Tree - Digital image

Little cloud catching the sunset - Photo

The images I have added here are from the day we had a really strong frost this week. The woods literally became a winter wonderland, transforming a walk into a visual feast of frozen branches and whited out forms. So, to justify the theme, my illustrations for this post are portraying the phenomenon of the weather. I've added an additional image as a photo to link in the amazing effects of light. The photo is as it was taken, nothing altered on it by computer, the luminosity of this small cloud was just awesome, and I suspect also a bit of a phenomenon .... ?

Quote from Illustration Friday's theme Phenomenon :

"Beauty is a primeval phenomenon, which itself never makes its appearance, but the reflection of which is visible in a thousand different utterances of the creative mind, and is as various as nature herself." ~Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Atmosphere

2010-08-20T12:46:00.000-07:00

Size: 80cm x 100cm

"Colour Concepts" Series. No 2.

Collaboration with Mary Brodie - Textile artist

I've chosen this recent piece to illustrate Illo Friday topic "Atmosphere"

40 vitreous enamel on copper panels are set within 40 manipulated textiles.

Seen from any angle this piece has impact and a vibrancy all of it's own.

This piece is on exhibition until the 19th September 2010

at the Cider Press Center, Dartington, Devon, UK

View more images and information here.

Early

2010-05-22T01:58:00.000-07:00

Marking Time - "Early" - Illustration Friday

Equipment

2010-05-14T12:17:00.001-07:00

Grid casting forms - Digital Illustration

2009-11-17T00:17:00.000-08:00

Tango

2009-07-20T01:21:00.000-07:00

"Dance and laugh in summer rain / Many a golden dream"

Altered / Collaged Etching - Not quite "The Tango" but all I have for now !

Hope you have a happy week !

Garden Bird sketch

2009-06-04T10:33:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd post the sketch I've diverted off into doing to today. It was nice to get the chance to do some direct observational work. I have a bird feeder right outside my studio window and so have a birds eye view (pardon the pun!) This young starling photographed below beat off all his feathered friends to maintain a constant fight of for all the food !

Adapt

2009-05-30T15:45:00.000-07:00

"Dotty Dodo" Copyright Ruth Ball

For Illustration Friday Theme "Adapt"

Taking the Darwinian route with this illustration.....Adapt or die out I guess !

Contagious

2009-05-15T12:52:00.001-07:00

Image for the Illustration Friday Theme

Fleeting

2009-04-10T06:31:00.000-07:00

A Fleeting View

Digital Image - Ruth Ball - Copyright 2009
-

Hi to Illustration Friday !

- Haven't posted in a while so just catching up.

Above; I've uploaded this view, witnessed from a bus window, which I feel describes a fleeting moment........and...

Below: I've added my most recent enamel work, which though not quite as apt, in it's way it describes time,..things "fleeting", more in a sense of changing - It's inspiration is based on the alterations in a city undergoing regeneration, whereby old structures mingle with new and before you know it things transform, ...despite time seeming to run for a long time, in the short term, it passes so quickly, so that on looking back.....it's fleeting, time certainly flies for sure.

Hope that makes sense ! Have a Happy Friday !

"Marking Change"

Pale

2009-01-16T08:14:00.000-08:00

Pale Winter Hues - Copyright Ruth Ball 2009

Contained

2009-01-15T15:39:00.001-08:00

Display of images and found objects on the wall of my studio.

OK, so I admit I found this the theme this week hard to think of ! so I'm bending the idea a little bit....let's just say that all my ideas are contained in sketchbooks or on a display somewhere ! Can I get away with that ? The birch tree studies are to eventually be developed into designs for jewellery and bowls, now bowls are containers.....Doh !..watch this space !

Resolve

2009-01-05T05:26:00.000-08:00

Frost Fractal - Digital Image - Copyright Ruth Ball 2009

PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE THE DETAIL

......Mainly, I resolve to look forwards and not back ! and to be positive !

Oh and to ignore the credit crunch blurb and carry on drawing/designing etc - as well as the usual... loose weight / get fit / be more organised stuff ! etc etc ! wish me luck !......

Didn't come up with a clever image, but posting this amazing frost pattern which graced my car door this morning ! It's cold out there but very beautiful ! HAPPY NEW YEAR !

Vacant

2008-11-05T15:30:00.000-08:00

"Vacant "

Digital Image - Copyright Ruth Ball 2008

Late

2008-10-18T01:36:00.001-07:00

Digital Image - Copyright Ruth Ball 2008

" Late Arrivals "

Posted for Illustration Friday

Hope this conveys "Lateness" ! This illustration is of the new bus terminal in Liverpool. It could be anywhere and nowhere really. I liked the sense of space, reflected light through the glass panels, and the emptiness in this view. The people wandering, looking, waiting, and well no buses ! .... they could be late, or even early, depending on your point of view.

Memories

2008-09-05T04:43:00.001-07:00

Click on image to enlarge

Posted for Illustration Friday.

I created this collage, from a tourist map, stamps and random cut out text to make a visual poem. I then scanned the image into the computer and added a touch of digital manipulation.

The resulting image represents memories of a camping holiday to the Isle of Mann that we went on a few years ago. .....Happy Days !

Poof !

2008-08-01T15:10:00.001-07:00

...... Zap.... Pow ...Wizz...Bang !

Happy Friday !

Seed

2008-05-03T14:07:00.000-07:00

For Illustration Friday

From my sketch book

The illustration Friday theme this week is "seed".

Above is just a simple water colour study, and here below the image has been scanned into the computer and then re worked with pixel paint!

Save

2008-04-06T10:20:00.001-07:00

For Illustration Friday

"Global Warming" - Copyright Ruth Ball 2008

SAVE....the planet....

Oh...and Have a Good Weekend !

Homage

2008-03-28T16:07:00.000-07:00

For Illustration Friday

Sadly not had much time recently for any IF work over the past few weeks, but however, just thought I'd post a rare glimpse of a page in my sketch book from last year. I think it fits the theme somehow......

To the left, references and homage to the installation of "Another Place" by Anthony Gormley.

Mid page my own visual contemplations leading right to photographic observations.

Below a further experimental sketch in enamel & gold leaf.

Happy Friday !

Leap

2008-02-29T04:59:00.000-08:00

For Illustration Friday

Digital image - Copyright Ruth Ball 2007

" Leap "

Happy Friday / Leap-Year Day !

Thanks for clicking thru

Choose

2008-02-14T00:52:00.001-08:00

For Illustration Friday's theme "Choose"

(click on the image to enlarge)

Digital image - Copyright Ruth Ball 2008

"Choosing Shoes"

..... Everywoman's dilema !

Blanket

2008-02-01T10:26:00.000-08:00

"Winter Blanket "

Digital Image - Copyright Ruth Ball 2008

(click on the image for a detailed view)

For Illustration Friday :

This image could look like a blanket,I suppose...with it's patchwork of marks & shapes.......

However ! It is actually a digital abstract based on a recent visit to Finland.

At this time of year snow blanket's the feilds and forests. The intertwined twigs and branches give a wonderful stark contrast against the whitened landscape.

Click here for some more images and information :

http://ruthballenamel.blogspot.com/2008/01/inspired-by-fininish-landscape.html

PS:

Oh and by the way ! it's cold here in the UK ! - brrrr could do with a blanket ! Happy Friday !

Stitch - Illustration Friday

2008-01-16T01:33:00.000-08:00

Mary's Autumn Fern - mixed media collage - copyright Ruth Ball

Orchid Pink - mixed media collage - copyright Ruth Ball

Peacock Blue - mixed media collage - Copyright Ruth Ball

This week's IF theme is "stitch" which is a good opportunity to show my mixed media pieces.
Based on collage from a range of found material, my own photos and various bits and bobs. The pieces are assembled and then stitched down with fine threads. I use the stitch as an additional drawing over the work to complete and anchor the image.

A Snapshot of Liverpool 08

2008-01-06T02:31:00.000-08:00

Click here to view my entry's for the Met2tate photo competition !

http://www.met2tate.com/photos/large/1/136/1
"It was a really big dig !" Albert dock viewed from the Paradise project in 07

! Update : This image was selected for the COMMENDED Category !

http://www.met2tate.com/photos/large/1/138/2
"splash" - Paving Derby Square

http://www.met2tate.com/photos/large/1/139/3
"Sounds of the city" - Blury Buskers on Matthew Street

http://www.met2tate.com/photos/large/1/137/4
"Window shoping" - shoes @ The Met Quarter

! Update : This image was selected awarded BEST in Pic Stop 4 !

The competition is run by The Tate Gallery and The Met Quarter and is part of the Liverpool 08 City of Culture - the range of photos on the web site are really great, showing a slice of Liverpool life seen through the lens of visitors to the city - thought it was a fab idea and was pleased to be able to add my little snapshots !

( and so, so thrilled to be selected in the Commended section/Best Pic Stop 4 ! wow! yippe! )

Lots more events planned in the city for 08 read all about it here ! http://www.liverpool08.com/

100%

2008-01-04T15:00:00.000-08:00

Digital Image - Copyright Ruth Ball 2008

For Illustration Friday - this week's theme 100%

Soar

2007-12-29T06:46:00.001-08:00

Digital image ~ Copyright Ruth Ball 2007

For Illustration Friday - this week's theme "soar".

Happy Friday and all the very best for the New Year ahead !

Horizon

2007-12-28T12:12:00.000-08:00

Digital image ~ copyright Ruth Ball 2007

A very late posting for last weeks illustration friday theme "Horizon "

BACKWARDS

2007-12-20T12:02:00.000-08:00

For Illustration Friday

Very late with the entry this week - I confess that just couldn't think of anything !

So here is a figure study, not quite the portrayal of backwards - but the figure is standing backwards, or forwards ? not quite sure.....drawn loosely and semi abstracted, the illustration can be translated on an emotive level perhaps ?

Digital illustration from an original enamel panel which you can see if you click HERE

Little Things

2007-12-07T12:03:00.000-08:00

A seasonal and cute "Little Thing" for this week's illustration friday !!!

"The Window Robin"

This is the original image, ........then I thought a bit more, and so..

Here I've added to the image, making more of a xmas card out of the idea....

Seasonal greetings &

Have a Happy Friday !

The Zoo

2007-11-24T13:23:00.000-08:00

Silent Macaw - Copyright Ruth Ball 2007

Emu - Copyright Ruth Ball 2007

For illustration Friday there are two illustrations here this week, both digital renders.

They are based on images from visits to the Zoo, ....observing from the animal's perspective....the bird's eye view.

Scale

2007-11-10T11:10:00.000-08:00

For Illustration Friday

Hi !

Looking throught the listings this week, the topic "scale" can be translated in a variety of ways - musical scales, bathrooms scales etc !....for my variation of the theme I'm joining in in with the fishy metaphor, in the fact that fish have scales !

However, the other thought I had was that in Photoshop, in order to "size" or "scale" something you have to use the operation titled "transform" in the edit menu.......to transform also means to change something, to make it different, ......and I guess that the subject scale, really means for us to study the contrasts from small to large, to look at things which are seen from a different perspective etc......and if I get time, I'll get around to illustrating that one, but for now as per usual I'm twisting it bit ! literally !....

....so anyway, here are a few images that illustrate how I developed or "transformed" / "scaled up" one of my watercolour studies into a brooch design........

The original watercolour - approx 21cm x 30cm ish...

Scanned into photoshop and then the distort - twirl filter applied ! this gave me the inspiration for the brooch shape........

The brooch under construction

For the brooch design, I did more drawing to re define and simplify the imagery. The metal (silver) was cut, engraved out, and then into a base coat of enamel the painting began again.

I also decided to change the fish colour and add fine gold highlights ! (artistic license and all that ! )...so after a few more firings in the kiln here it is....

The finished piece !

Size approx 3.5cm x 3.5cm

Grow

2007-10-20T10:33:00.000-07:00

"Growth"

for Illustration Friday

The Blues

2007-09-28T06:08:00.000-07:00

For Illustration Friday

The Blues !.....well, for starters, there is...

" Sea Blue "

and " Iris Blue "

.....no need to actually feel blue !

Happy Friday !

Wedding

2007-09-17T09:45:00.000-07:00

For Illustration FridayHmmm... Now, where there is a wedding, there is always a ring !

Above are my steps to trying to render a ring digitally and below are painted illustrations of my ring designs, with the ones I've made sitting ontop of the drawings.

Dress Rings - Contemporary Classic Collection

All copyright Ruth Ball

Momentum

2007-09-11T03:41:00.000-07:00

For Illustration Friday

A bit late posting this week...I've been out and about
( check my other blog www.ruthballenamel.blogspot.com )

These images taken from my photos of a skaters acrobatics !
and then digitally manipulated to create an image....plenty of momentum ! ?

Visitors

2007-08-26T03:31:00.001-07:00

"Walker"

For Illustration Friday's theme "Visitors"

Here are marks in the sand made by visitors to the beach....

" Bather"

" Driver"

"Birds"

40/40 Colour Concept

2007-07-29T23:50:00.000-07:00

Click on the image for a larger view...

"40/40 Colour Concepts "

Enamel on Copper & Manipulated Textiles

60x40cm

This is a collaborative piece combining enamel with manipulated textiles. This work along with a collection of other enamel works will be on exhibition from the 6th of Septemeber at the Kenkervero Craft center in Finland.

STATEMENT for 40/40:

The primary motivation and common link in the work of Ruth Ball and Mary Brodie is COLOUR. Colour is the most alluring of all the design elements. We respond to colour more than line, shape, form or composition on an emotional gut level.

In this piece, 40/40 colour concepts, colour is explored within the two very different mediums of enamel and textile through rich contrasts, vibrant hues and textural surfaces.
40 pieces of enamel align with 40 pieces of fabricated textile. The square grid format is a vehicle for the juxtaposition of the two different surfaces, and is also a nodding reference to colour charts, embracing a full spectrum of colours.

The abstract imagery within each of the individual pieces is influenced by more personal responses to colour, evocative of the colours in nature colour moods of the landscape, and ephemeral memories of time and place. (The light over fields, the ripples in water, the golden hues of autumn etc.) The many combinations of colour unify each thought and concept, forming a piece which hopefully has gone beyond the process of it’s making, allowing the viewer to seek their own point of reference.

Moon

2007-07-27T09:21:00.000-07:00

"Field of Moonlight Blue"

Enamel on Copper & Manipulated Textiles

Collaboration between Ruth Ball & Mary Brodie

For http://www.illustrationfriday.com/

Hi, I cannot believe it is Friday already ! .....here is my interpretation for "Moon".

This piece is part of a series of collaborative works combining enamel with textiles. I have teamed up from time to time with my great friend and colleague Mary Brodie.

Her textile pieces are very inspiring. In this piece, the colours evoke the sense of deep nigh time stillness. The hues of midnight and the glints of moonlight are shadowed over the patterns in this areial view of a landscape,.....so I thought it would just about fit for this weeks theme ! ....not essentially a "Moon" but how about an impression of "Moonlight".......

( The textiles are recessed into the frame and the enamels fit uppermost, not sure if it is apparent from the image.. )

This panel and the others in the series are currently on their way to an exhibition in Finland !

I am an invited artist alongside 16 other British enamellers in a group exhibitions organized by Finnish Enameller Ulla Huttunen.

The events open at The Kenkavero Craft Gallery in Mikkeli, Finland – 9th September - 28th October 2007 . Then travel to Kuopio Design Academy, Kupio, Finland – 5th November – 15th December 2007. The final highlight is the show at the prestigious The Craft Museum of Finland in Jyvaskyla, Finland – 22nd December 2007 – 1st March 2008

Poem

2007-07-20T14:43:00.001-07:00

For Illustration Friday ( click on the image to see a larger view )

"Poem" .....mmm... well, a little fazed again this week, no great verse sprung to mind....

This is a digital image, composed of manipulated, collaged photos. It is the sort of effect I'd love to re create in a painting oneday.....if I ever get around to it....

Discovery

2007-07-13T08:57:00.000-07:00

For Illustration Friday.....

" x marks the spot "

A quick solution this week - this piece is a small panel that is part of my coast series.

The pieces are based on images of the local environment and include graphic map markings, so this fits the bill for now...initially "Discovery" makes me think about trying to find a treasure....there might be something buried here, it might be a box of jewels, as in a children's story, but more likely, it's about finding out just how lovely a place can be.......... this beach is quite a beauty spot !....

might post more later....I'm still thinking !

BACK AGAIN....still haven't had time to create a new image, but just thought I'd post these mixed media collage pieces......did them sometime ago but they also link in their way....

......I tend to discover things in the everyday humdrum of life and ordinary day to day stuff...they are not things of value but precious to me......

I love just walking on busy streets, the sights and sounds of people, transient moments, the flow and movements of the crowd, the anticipation of the shops, a few bargains to discover if I'm lucky .......

Walking in the park is a treat, time out to be with the kids and just have a space to let go. I never leave without a leaf in my pocket, a childhood habit of finding a treasured bit of nature to admire and draw when I get home....

And call me crazy but even the dullness can intrigue me....here it was shades of grey....you can discover beauty in the plainest of things....there's always something to occupy me and an image to search out !

Geeky

2007-07-08T00:34:00.000-07:00

Here is my Illustration Friday post for this week...

"Geeky" ....Hmmm another I.F. challenge !..... Looking down the list of postings, men and black glasses feature prominently ! ....I love the render of MR Bean by Malin H.

I admit that I wasn't keen on doing this title, though I was inspired to have a go after flicking through the blogs. ...I think that it's interesting how the word has different associations. It's either naff or cool to be geeky, apparently !..... So, anyway, in a bit of a contrast, here is my attempt, minimally and with a graphical statement, my thoughts were that "a geek" in whatever format is always considered to be " the odd one out "......

...and, er....I confess that the idea was a bit of a tangent really ! ........

I've developed the illustration from a series of images that I'm currently working on which were inspired by some amazing sculptures on our local coastline, "Another place" by Anthony Gormley.

Small Panel 10 x 10cm - Enamel on Copper

This small panel is one of a series that will become part of a larger wall based art work.

Twist....for Illustration Friday

2007-06-29T15:52:00.000-07:00

Another difficult title !
Couldn't think of anything for a while........how about the twist in a river ............?

Camouflage.....for Illustration Friday

2007-06-22T12:16:00.000-07:00

Two solutions for this weeks theme ! Really enjoyed doing these.....

Cafe People

2007-06-20T00:58:00.001-07:00

"In Conversation"

Part of a series of illustrations base on city life.

Rejection....for Illustration Friday

2007-06-15T11:40:00.001-07:00

I thought the theme was really tough this week....anyway, came up with this....it can feel as though the whole world is against you when rejection sets in....mmm...a sad one this...
http://www.illustrationfriday.com/

Suit.....for Illustration Friday

2007-06-08T14:48:00.000-07:00

There are lots of different sorts of suit..... I chose a racing suit for this weeks illustration.

www.illustrationfriday.com

Wild & Precious Series

2007-06-03T02:55:00.001-07:00

8th - 28th June 07

I'm exhibiting at "Nurtured" the latest collection from MJMAN

The collaborative group have individually designed a bevy of botanically inspired forms, which will be on show at Cetra Gallery & Studio, Heswall, Wirral, Merseyside UK.

Click on the preview card to view the details...

and check here for lots more information www.mjman.co.uk

The Collection of "Wild & Precious" Enamelled Panels.

20 x 20cm Framed

Detail View : "Sycamore Gold" ~ Enamel, precious gold leaf on copper.
Copyright Ruth Ball 2007

One of a kind - "Wild and Precious" Series.

The Wild and Precious series panels, are illustrative in concept, and relate to the preciousness and fragility of nature. Seed heads and wild plant elements are highlighted for focal study, portraying the beauty of common species. The fragmented gold leaf is intended as a suggestion of the tenderness and vulnerability of the forms, whilst also emphasising that the everyday plants we tend to pass by are valuable and should be prized, indeed...Nurtured.

UPDATE :

This series was also exhibited at national Crafts Museum of Finland, from January - March 2008.
All pieces are now sold.

Your Paradise.....for Illustration Friday

2007-06-01T15:16:00.000-07:00

The Paradise Project is the name of Liverpool's massive building programme, also aptly named "The Big Dig". As the Capital of Culture 2008 looms we all look forward to fabulous new buildings, great exhibitions and loads of arty events. Hopefully a cultural paradise !

However, his illustration is a stab at representing the city right now, ( err full of potential,. and.. err lots of rubble and scaffolding !) The famous Liver birds currently preside over great mounds of soil !

Check out Liverpool08 here.... www.liverpool08.com/

and the building's progress http://www.liverpoolpsda.co.uk/

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY

http://www.illustrationfriday.com/

Cars.......for Illustration Friday

2007-05-25T10:30:00.001-07:00

This image is an ephemeral interpretation for this weeks Illustration Friday Theme - Cars.

It is based on the idea of a journey, travelling in a car...the memory of the distorted views that you get when travelling at speed, as images blur past your window. I have tried here to recreate a feeling of motion, and the movement of a shifting perspective through the landscape.

www.illustrationfriday.com

Signs....for Illustration Friday

2007-05-18T17:03:00.000-07:00

Hurray its Friday ! Here is my first attempt at this week's Illustration Friday subject......This is based on images from my walks though the the city. I like to notice random marks, graffiti, street signs, and surface patterns in amongst the hectic day to day goings on.........

And....couldn't make my mind up which image to go with so here is another attempt ! ......An area up for redevelopment provided another ideal image for this weeks title.....
www.illustrationfriday.com

Citrus....?

2007-05-11T13:29:00.000-07:00

I've just discovered Illustration Friday ! Here is my version of CITRUS. This is my first posting, a bit of a tangent, I suppose. Tulips, growing in pots by my studio, have been one of the inspirations of my week, so, thought I'd use the word to describe their colours ! Some of the tulips were more of a pink, but several have this wonderful blend of orange and lemony hue.....kinda citrusty !... www.illustrationfriday.com

May Day May Day !

2007-05-09T11:46:00.000-07:00

A bit distracted today !........................

The parrot tulips, nurtured in a couple of plant pots just outside my door, are in full bloom now. They are so lovely at the moment. Apart from creating designs in enamel, I'm hooked on illustrating ! Took a bit of time out today to do an image of these beauties !

Underway

2007-05-08T01:01:00.000-07:00

Starting to finalise new works.

Here I'm working out matching elements for a pendant.

This design is from the black and white / urban series.

In The Workshop

2007-05-02T00:05:00.000-07:00

I'm currently working towards exhibitions which take place throughout the year. I have several ranges at the moment, which are headed under different series headings.

Urban - Which is inspired by city days, man made marks, graphic accents and architectural details.

Landscape & Nature - Follows thoughts about ephemeral and associated colour, ariel views, patterns and painterly approaches.

The Figure - Studies are linked to people, places & spaces. Currently developing art based pieces that explore a sense of being.

Botanical - Designs detail the simple forms of flora and fauna...... More info and images comming soon !