I am beyond excited about a new Andre 3000 album and this week has been the build up to its release. It has arrived today, Friday 17th, and it's quite the departure from what you might have expected. In reference to that I have tried to explore topics that might change your ideas, allow you to challenge yourself or to take creative risks. From the album itself to videos about interesting styles of creating bars in Hip Hop. University fairs to discuss courses that would suit you. Artists that will challenge what you believe is possible in tattooing. Overcoming life's challenges and succeeding and making fantasy world with clay and pencils. Making art that makes you happy has been the centre of a number of recent weeks. Andre 300 repeats that sentiment in his GQ interview. He had to make the album he made as this is what he believed in. Don't worry what people think, as long as you work hard and show why your work is important, people will believe you.
YEAR 2 ONLY! LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP!
UCAS CREATIVE FAIR, MANCHESTER
This is a great opportunity for any Expressive Arts Students to talk to a wide range of creative Universities covering all of the arts, from performance to painting.
There are also a number of opportunities to attend talks on a range of subjects, such as portfolio making and careers in the arts.
Individuals MUST REGISTER THEMSELVES using this link.
To do so select: Student then 'Join group booking', you will then have to register with UCAS, if not already done so, then enter the group booking reference, UCASBKN935895 and follow the
instructions to complete your individual registration.
You will then have to download your own ticket to gain access to the event.
Learners should then book themselves onto any lectures and panels that will best suit their requirements.
The event is fantastic to see the wide range of potential courses and a great opportunity to speak to the course leaders or people who have studied on the course. There are also a lot of freebies given away too. There will be something for everyone.
Meet: 09.50am Tuesday Nov 21st 2023 at Manchester Central, Manchester.
The 9.21 train from Bolton stops at Oxford Road Station in time and costs £3.30. We would recommend this to get to the venue, as it's much quicker than the bus for most.
Students travelling by bus should allow much more travel time for travel, including any journeys across Manchester.
The Citymapper app is full of great localized information and up to date route planners. Google maps is also a great tool to use to get around town.
Learners will have a chance to get their own lunch in Manchester and then we will meet at Manchester Art Gallery at 1pm for an explore of the artwork on show.
Focussing on the display of the work, with their final Component 1 deadline and exhibition in mind.
We will finish around 14.00 and all learners will then return to Bolton independently, they are welcome to stay in Manchester longer if NoK deem it as appropriate.
You MUST have signed your Generic Day Trip letter AND UCAS FAIR LETTERS ON PARENT PORTAL!
NEW ALBUM: ANDRE 3000
Andre 3000 has released is first new music for 20 years and it's not a hip hop album.
He says it's "No beats and No bars" in an interview previously, he said that his style of rapping was of it's time and he feels he needs to give the new guys the space. A really interesting response from someone who is generally regarded as one of the best to ever do it.
The album won't be for some as it's an ambient album full odd interesting instruments from across the world. My son said it was "like wondering around a magical forest." It sounds ethereal but futuristic, nature in space maybe. Very Andre 3000 really if you know his later Outkast work. Without listening to it in more detail, I have not formed an opinion, but I love the risk taking and am enjoying the ambience of it all, it's great to work too.
I'll certainly be listening a lot more over the coming days and weeks.
You'll be able to download/ stream it how you usually listen to music too.
Some great track names if you can see them too!
ARTICLE AND VIDEO: INSPIRATION: WHERE TO FIND IT AND HOW TO KEEP IT
Recommended by Debbie. Dribbble is a must read for all creatives as it is full of articles and competitions that will help you develop your practise.
A great blog to look at to stay inspired with loads of creatives talking about their techniques, you can read it or watch the video here!
TOP 20 ONLINE & OFFLINE INSPIRATION SOURCES FOR DESIGNERS
As a designer, finding design inspiration is essential to staying creative and producing high-quality work. Whether you're a seasoned designer or just starting out, there will be times when you hit a creative block, and finding inspiration becomes crucial. The good news is that inspiration for designers can be found anywhere, both online and offline.
“Almost anything can be a seed for an idea; you just have to keep your eyes open to spot the things that speak to you.” — Leena Kisonen, Illustrator
In the article, you'll take a closer look at the various sources of inspiration for different design disciplines, and share valuable resources so you can stay inspired all year long.
TV: LOUIS THEROUX INTERVIEWS
A new series of Louis Theroux Interviews is available on IPlayer. I watched the Pete Doherty one on Tuesday and thoroughly enjoyed it. Theroux does his usual disarming interview techniques and manages to get some real insight from the creatives he interviews. It's great to understand the mindset of some of the stars you see everyday and get some understanding about the fun and turmoil in their lives. Follow the link under the picture to find all episodes.
ARTIST RECOMMENDS: TOM WITHINGTON
On Monday Tom Withington gave a talk about his tattoo career, it was a really interesting chat discussing how to develop your skills, the hard work required and pracitcal advice about who to speak to and what your portfolio should look like. Well done to everyone who attended we hope you were inspired by his ideas, in whatever career you choose.
He said, at the end of the session he would recommend a few people. This is that list, go and have a look......
For licensed images you can use in your work without copyright infringement Tom reccommends you use reference87.com
For tattoo artists You can search up the following people, not all have insta and appear to be on different sites, so I haven't linked a specific page so you can explore them in more detail.
Realism in Tattoos: Sam Barker, Ash Higham, Noah Bissi
Neo Trad: Sneaky Mitch, Kasasink, Anthony Fleming
Black Work: New School, Old School, Mandala
Follow the hyperlinks to understand the different styles and a range of other artists you might like.
Adam Savage Behind the Scenes at Wētā Workshop
Adam Savage was a model maker on Star Wars and then had a hit show called Myth Busters where he did just that. In his Tested Youtube Channel he has returned to model making and design. It's a fantastic insight into how a design gets up on screen, from initial sketches to plans and models to detailing etc. In the videos below he talks to the team at WETA, who made Lord of the Rings etc.... It's amazing to see the teams involved and how they indulge their creativity and the indepth planning to get your idea to become a believable character in a believable world.
Great video to see all the different ways to work in films without being an actor or director too.