Saturday 8 December 2018

The Science Bit

The Epidermic Of Our Time.
"The eperdemic of our time is the lie of believing we have no ethical obligation to our planetary home "Theodore Roesak".

I have recently watched a documentary on Net flicks called "Ten Billion" from the Ten Billion years Documentary series. What it does is explains what is happening to our planets eco system. How our planets resources are depleting and what this means . It explains how climate change is destroying eco systems across the globe. While watching the first documentary I took notes and transcribed most of it as I was watching.

 One thing I did not know which is the case for most people currently living on the planet is what the complexities of pollution, climate change and species extinctions  really means and how much time do we have to change in order to put right all the pollution and destruction that is occurring at this current time in history. I have found the following transcribe very interesting and it helped me understand in clear non academic language what is happening and how we all can make changes, even if they are currently small changes understanding individual impacts is really important. The following paragraphs which is transcribed from the movie Ten Billion directed by Peter Webber writer and stared by Stephen Emmott clearly points out what is happening to our planet and what will happen to our planet moving forward. Stephen Emmott explains in detail the science and the economics for why it is important for each and everyone of us to consider our own unique carbon foot print and make changes no matter how small or large to help reduce carbon emissions to create a draw down state known as zero emissions level. A neutral balance of oxygen development and carbon emissions.
One aspect of natural habituate loss is in the complexities of biodiversity. 

Biodiversity
Loss of eco systems services is a threat to our survival and also other living species. Food production and the consumption of meat effect our biodiversity eco systems. Too much loss of biodiversity means our climate will become more and more unstable. 30% of all green house gases comes from food production. Increasing population means that we need a new a new food revolution. A new green revolution without chemical fertilizers/pesticides.
The need for more chemicals means too much water used. Buying food through chemicals uses increases in green house gases. Seven billion people live on our planet, water use within products has a hidden water value(what it takes in water to produce something).
For example it uses water to produce food. 9,000 litres of water to produce one chicken for food. 2,700 litres to create a bar of chocolate. 9,000 litres to produce a pair of pyjamas. This is completely unsustainable. 


                                                        
Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels are accelerating climate change. We need to use other forms of energy. Big corporate companies are digging in the Atlantic this is viable due to climate change because the Antarctic is no longer covered in a thick layer of ice. Transport is also a problem due to climate change. cars cost approx £8,000. The real cost to the eco system is all the components are shipped, natural resources are used to mixed to create different products. All this is costly, environmental degradation, mining natural resources depleting bio diversity. 

Antarctica
70% of our sea ice is already been lost over the last 30 years. 600 tons of ice per year is being lost to the sea. Methane is being expelled in mass quantities which was previously frozen. Methane is many times more potent than carbon monoxide which is accelerating climate change even faster, creating serious problems.
All data formed so far is not predicting the real level of climate change and destruction that is immanent so far. All vegetation is being exposed to more carbon dioxide than ever before.

The Global Carbon Cycle
Plants, oceans,soils absorb 50% of our carbon dioxide emissions C02 .This maybe coming to an end due to human modification, every single component of the global cycle, deforestation, urbanization,food production, agriculture and changes in the chemical and ecological composition of our oceans.Ocean eradication and de-oxygenation.


Where are we heading?
What kind of challenges do we face due to our growing population. 40% of land is already being used for food. By 2050 the population is set to double. Cheap land is found via deforestation in order to feed the demand for food. This is an area as big as the United States of America(increases of our population to 10 billion people)

Fossil fuels/Pollution/Black carbon
Climate change is reducing our capacity to create food, the weather and soil degradation, pollution, plus loss of cattle 10,000s. Russia has previously had to place an embargo on grain which lead to fast increases in food prices in Asia and Africa creating food riots. Which ended in the Arab spring/civil and international conflict.


Military and Climate Change
The Military across the globe are now going to climate change conferences and meetings in order to calculate were possible wars could occur. This is because climate change creates adverse conditions for humans and political instability arises and conflicts erupt.

Water Supplies Reduced
Water stored in glaziers and snow is declining, projected to decline by at least enough to effect 6% of the population in china, Ethiopia ,India and Pakistan
.

Safe Increases

2% increase or less anything else will create a tipping point that will send our planet into serious catastrophe disasters and biodiversity will reduce. Areas like Bangladesh will be lost to climate change rising ocean levels. 2% increase in global or less anymore will create a catastrophic injury to our planet. 4%-6% increase in global temperature will create a tipping point that will send our planet into catastrophic disasters and biodiversity will reduce. Areas like Bangladesh will be lost to climate change, rising oceans.

Catastrophic Tipping point of Global Climate Change

This is already happening with the effects of serious weather changes. Alterations in global carbon cycles, eco systems degradation's , mass extinctions, increasing demands of water food and energy needs.
Currently the world is failing to do anything about it.
Technology is one way to find a solution. Technologize are way out of the problem is not going to be enough. Green energy technology is unlikely to be the main way out of climate change, this will take decades to implement.
Nuclear power seems to be currently the only answer, the problem is it's too expensive and voters don't like it.
Dealing with water shortages via changing sea water into fresh water is one solution, these however are not being processes. Geo energy maybe one solution, putting massive umbrellas into orbital environment to block out the Suns-rays this is not technically possible presently.

Behavior Change
Radical governmental action,however this would make politicians unfavorable,so therefore what happens is failure diplomacy.However some governments are implementing bans on plastic straws and single use plastics, so there is a glimmer of hope. 

Biodiversity loss Initiative
All our failings across 20 years of words and inaction, exploiting theories about whether climate change is true or not.

Solution Climate Change 
Governments exploitation of public opinion and scientific uncertainty, this is beyond doubt. The need for data in regard to what will happen and what will impact and indicating how much it will cost.In order to get behind action. Climate models will always fluctuate, public opinion is being exploited via politicians not being well informed is part of the problem, unprecedented effects on our planet that maybe unsolvable.West and the North of the planet are over consuming products, food and energy.Population decreasing via having less children is an important way to reduce climate change, if we continue at our current rate, there will be 28 Billion people on earth.

Potentially We Can Change
We can potentially change the devastation that we are in by changing our habits, it is a planetary emergency to avoid a global catastrophe . However many scientists believe change will never happen as the world is run via monetary values.
For example if we knew that a as-trod was hitting the planet and that 70% of our planet  living environment would be destroyed we would act. However the problem is ourselves the human culture that drives pollution, does not seem to be changing fast enough.Therefore its every bodies individual responsibility to but litter in the bin, recycle effectively,consume less and strive to be carbon neutral.(transcribed from Ten Billion:the movie: Director Peter Webber :Writer and star Stephen Emmott)

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                                  Life Style Choices :Traditionalist Design 

In the next coming months I am going to be looking at and developing making my own inks for screen printing. In order to reduce the emission count of product developments I design and also to enrich the availability of organic inks and dyes. 
This process is defined by a need to effectively make a difference within product design and making practices.
Previous handcrafted designer knitwear manufacturing  within my career has defined my design choices within the following statements ”Part of a new generation of eco-friendly designer clothing using natural materials and ethical working practices for all our production, for a better world”.
The life cycle assessment from raw material to product distribution sale and end placement is necessary to evaluate in order to assess how the future of our planet can be protected. A sustainable way of living to reduce emissions is possible, the technology is available. We all have a responsibility to live responsibly and take action to reduce our own individual carbon footprint. Becoming a strong force in numbers within our own actions to stabilize our planet emissions to control climate change.


A coastal image taken on the Balearic Islands.2017.While relaxing on holiday I noticed the rich hues and pastels of natural forna.
I easy why to distinguish what is happening to our environment due to plastics and over population and urban expansion of our costal regions is to look back in time and see the visual changes that have taken place within our own life spans. i was born in the 1960's when plastic were not used as much as they are today. Our costal town and small fishing villages were still very traditional were urbanisation was still in its development stage. I have managed to digitise and edit some footage taken by my father in the 1960's showing our coast line and how they were much more rural and unspoilt. the clips are below.



                                           Saint Ives Cornwall 1960's with my family.


                                  Formby  near Sefton Lancashire my families historical home.


 Plastics are currently littering our oceans to a level we’re there are rubbish dumps in our seas, one in the Pacific and one in the Atlantic. The Pacific plastic rubbish dump is like an island and it’s the size of two British Isles.Its an in imagenable scale. It is distroying wildlife and the   Ocean acidity which links to plant life distraction. All adding to extreme climate change due to climate warming. It’s time for each and everyone of use changes our lifestyle choices to remove unnecessary single use plastics.          
          Rekindle Traditional Processes.

Traditional processes link to non chemical processes with a lower carbon emission than industrial chemical process production. Visual traditional design can link to low carbon emissions through longevity using natural resources that have a longer life span. Adding to much modernity can reduce a product life cycle.
Making comparisons to times gone by and the yearning to return to a more idyllic life style  choice. Is something many of us wish for and appreciate.
Reflecting back towards the past visually encourages a knowledge of how our natural world used to be like,understanding were our planets wildlife heritage has started from and developed can give us insight to were we have arrived at today.

Exploring our surroundings and finding historical methods that have slowly been eradicated through commercial developments,advertising and a faster pace of life were money passing hands instead of swapping local produce and sharing has changed our society make up. 

Tuesday 6 November 2018

Ecology News reviews On the Planets Health.


The Royal Families Commitment to Climate Change Issues.
The Royal family including the Queen and Prince Charles and his sons have been campaigning for environmental issues across the global for decades. The Queen has launched her Tree Canopy Trust were by she has pledged to plant numerous amounts of new forests across the globe. Charles and his sons have been campaigning for environmental issues also for many decades. 
A recent book I have been reading has a printed letter from Prince Charles giving more detail in regard for his views and ambitions for the reversal of green house gases. The book is called Drawdown The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed To Reverse Global Warming  Edited by Paul Hawken published by Penguin Books. Anyone who is wanting to understand global warming needs to read this.

The following article was recently published
Indeed, Prince Charles is known for addressing environmental issues, including global warming, sustainability and ocean pollution.
His passion for raising awareness for the issues has obviously rubbed off on his sons, with Prince Charles and Prince Harry joining forces to attend the future king’s International Sustainability Unit’s meeting in February this year.
Prince Charles spoke at length about the threat coral reef faces and the impact climate change will have on future generations.
“It is a common phrase now that rather than borrowing our present from future generations, we are stealing it.,” the Prince said at the event.
“Well, the speed of the ecological marine cataclysm that we have engendered is such that not only will our children be faced with the monochrome legacy of the graveyard of destroyed reefs and the collapse of marine biodiversity, but the majority of us alive today will stand witness to the process.”




Prince Charles delivers a speech about the ‘nightmare’ of plastic waste in January (Getty)

Last year, Prince William warned that overpopulation is ruining the natural environment by putting wildlife under ‘enormous pressure’.
The prince is also patron of The Tusk Trust, which aims to protect African wildlife.
“We are going to have to work much harder, and think much deeper, if we are to ensure that human beings and the other species of animal with which we share this planet can continue to co-exist,” the prince told an audience at The Roundhouse in London, according to Business Insider.

(https://uk.style.yahoo.com/prince-harry-reveals-teased-school-habit-prince-charles-taught-102500517.html5.00pm  accessed on 6.11.18)

Sunday 4 November 2018

Deadline Developments for Design Work

                      Ecology Evolution.

The fabric below has been printed from the Memaki printer initially I worked on Photoshop and used layers to create an image of a whale tale swimming in the clouds. 

The fabric is a strong canvas ideal for furnishings. I have printed 3 of these and I am going to add a traditional screen print on top using lettering. The other print I might embellish with Crystal to look like agate to add Opulence and glamour. I could also look at using embroidery. 
Photograph used for background,taken on an iPhone while flying in a jet.


Printed letters using old vintage blocks


Letters used for printing.
I have used a traditional screen print to add the lettering after firstly printing them small using traditional anologue cast letters to add interest and almost graffiti edge.
The original image of the Whale was taken by Jiri Razac for Green Peace. I am using the fin tail of a whale to create a lino print for a tote bag to help promote a reduction in single use plastics. The fin needs to be changed to an image that is not copy righted if it were to be a product for sale.At the moment it is a speculative image which could be used as a campaign banner to help with Green Peace  campaigning to save the Antarctic from man-made destruction through pollution and climate change.


                                                         Meeting 27.11.18
Criteria meeting MA educational course work strategy : After a meeting with lecturers and a small group of students, it was discussed that I should develop my tote bags using lino print imagery and also my ecology printing inks and dyes project in order to reduce emissions in the process. Even though I love photographic fabric printing i have two problems with it,one I don't have access to my own Whale photography and two the inks are not organic and machinery is being used which also increases my carbon footprint.I am trying to bring this to a minimum level and would hope that other people would wish to do similar.
Therefore the outcome of the meeting is to concentrate on one or two areas and cut back my project brief to accommodate enough detailed development to progress through an MA level; of work. I will need to draw up working drawings on illustrator and create fashion illustrations with directional storyboards etc using Photoshop and in design.
The other feedback was to develop my lino print and consider a campaign slogan.
Metallic printing.
Letters used to print initial slogan “Save”. I have then photographed my sketch book and added the lettering via a layer using photoshop. I have then printed it out and enlarged accordingly and added to a screen print screen. The bronze lettering has been foiled onto fabric using glue through the screen and then the foil has been placed on and heat sealed using a heat press machine.
Screen print with baby feet print from my daughter feet.
Printing onto fabric
Dip dyed printed fabric.
Screen print onto cotton fabric showing screen 
print.Fabric needs pressing.



Vintage haberdashery elements in the form of star studs adding a bit of 70’s clamour. Sequins are not particularly strong and maybe a different sequin would be better. However I have been up cycling things Ihave already had in my home.



Dim-antes before sticking
Fabric print for cushion cover or upholstery.
Applied diamete heat applied.


Diamanté’s scattered across sky, awaiting new applicator.
I have three prints and I am going to embellish them differently one will be embellished with diamanté to look like agate, the second one will be traditionally over printed and the third I will add an embroidery .





Fabric design concept for Memaki CAD

Project Deadlines are always difficult to negotiate, never let it be said that I have ever mis interpreted a deadline previously. It is however one thing i have done a lot of this doesn't mean I am that good at meeting them. However one thing is clear bringing a deadline forward from the actual deadline is always a good plan. I have a hand in deadline which I actually thought was June. Totally my fault as this was in the handbook somewhere. 


Fabric design created on photoshop, width to fit fabric roll repeating every 60cms.
The main point due to the fact that I am using University equipment and the deadline incorporates a Christmas holiday. I need to assume all the CAD printing , screen printing and Lino printing is done by December. 
The ink development also needs to be achieved, therefore what I am doing is completing tasks that I have written into my Masters Degree at the moment. I have the CAD fabric machine booked for the end of this week, however I may have to cancel as I need to work in order to pay important bills.

Main areas I need to develop is my Wall Art Muriel which I am wanting to develop into fabric using the fat swatch scaling which is approx 24in  x 18 inch (shell imagery). I am also wanting some photographic CAD  fabric development which I have designed some large scale prints ideal for cushions and large repeat boutique style curtain fabrics or seating covering etc.

The lino print for a tote bag to reduce single use plastics and promote global ocean sanctuaries including Antarctica ocean sanctuary is presently being created.

The hand printed screen printing wall paper needs to be created however current design concepts are kelp and coral repeat pattern gong horizontal with space between patterns. In one or two tonal colours using indigo colours.
Equipment used.
 I have chosen to use water colour as a medium as its light and airy to use. The image to the right shows my palettes,having recently added new colours last year. These particlar paints are very dense and create strong colours which I dilute with white Gouche to refine the colours to my colour range.

India ink and an old ink pen is also part of my creative practice. Indian ink is colour fast, so when I add water colour the outline doesn't wash away. I am also trying a drippy paint technique to add a bit of direction of glamour and fashion boutique trend.
Below is an idea I am developing for Antarctica Ocean Sanctuary campaign. Image below is my first attempt  of a whale. This piece could be improved by adding less paint and also I believe the fins are too small. I would also like to see the giles of the whale more.The whale also blends in to the earth background. This could be changed by making the whale black and white. It also needs re drawing.

First concept of whale illustration.





I am wanting to add colour using thin water colour, however I need to be careful I don't over paint it. I have been inspired by outher artists who use this drippy paint idea.I may also need to try out different types of whales to find one I prefere to use in my muriel. One area which I found a bit difficult was the stretching of my paper because the brown gum tap kept drying and coming away from the art board. I am not quite sure how to correct this . I could try a smaller piece of paper. Mean while I have bought some thicker water colour paper that doesn't need stretching as it is thick enough to apply paint without it crinkling
Possible design idea for CAD print onto fabric.
The image to the left has been created via cut and paste, it would be translated onto a photoshop development for fabric and wall paper. The music background is a hymn called Palms.The shell is a Nautilus pompilius Linne. This is a mollusc which has connections to the early part of our planets natural development.It has sealed chambers within that are arranged in a spiral, each being larger than the proceeding one. In terms of evolution its links to early life forms. It has visually extraordinary patter nation and is linked to the golden rule of design the theory.
Photoshop image for Wall Mural using Jiri Razac Whale tail   for
GreenPeace.
The image to the left is a photoshop development I have created for a wall Mural idea. I have taken a whale image taken out the background and added a sky image. I have put the Whale fin to the right of the image to encourage looking to the right then up to the sun in the clouds. The image is a rhetorical image that suggests that whales may possible only life in the sky as spirits as the sea is becoming to polluted and dangerous for them. 
Sketch Book and paint brushes.
Its time to recognize that we all need to be aware of our own single identity carbon footprint and cognitively attach this to the bigger gigitons footprint that the human race is creating. Every little thing matters a small reduction in everyone's general carbon emissions equals a larger amount across the globe. I could add some information around the whale tail to incorporate information. Other messages can added to swing tickets giving up to date informative knowledge to increase awareness of climate change to a bigger audience.

Wednesday 31 October 2018

An EcoFriendly, Biodegradable, All Natural Ink For Printing On Cloth



                         Finding the Most Ecological Way of Printing .

While printing I have noticed how much ink is used, it didn't take long before I realized I needed an alternative to bought chemical based dyes. Previously I have used naturally dyed yarns so it made sense to create my own inks.  Using the natural environment around me to create colours is something that inspires me. We all have a need new processes that will reduce climate warming by reducing carbon emissions. Creating your own natural dyes and inks prevents this, it also reduces the use of packaging and the use of some transport emissions if you buy products. One other reason is that I am hoping the process will be less expensive.


Research developed shown in Sketch Book.



Allotment Progress.









Allotment Development
 Farmland restoration and regenerative agriculture is part of a multitude of different processes that can reduce global warming by reducing emissions. Conservation agriculture which includes non tillage using organic fertilizers can reduce carbon emissions.Claiming back land which is currently laying to waste can also help emission outlay. 

I have been spending time weeding and pruning back trees ready for a better grope of apples and other fruits including a hidden raspberry crop I have found under weeds.I have also uncovered a small pond ideal for  small  invertebrates that can reduce small greenfly etc that can damage crops. Garlic can be planted using specially grown garlic cloves similar to seed potatoes which are easy to plant by dissecting individual gloves and planting 1 inch below soil. Sowing from seed is a process I am developing as I believe it is the most economic. Any money I am spending I am logging so I can access costs annually. Potentially a significant amount of global emissions, pollution and plastic waste can be reduced via a collective carbon footprint. Some small changes in lifestyle can help our plant rejuvenate and start to repair the damage that is currently occurring. 
                       
Eating Apple tree probably a Golden delicious variety

Chicken Shed with run to develop.
 Conservation Agriculture
There are a multitude of different approaches that can be developed to reduce climate change and in turn reduce emissions. Climate change science is developing new techniques and ideas continually, new advances in science in recent times have added much needed responses and solutions for our planet. Some of the most important solutions include renewable energy, forest protection better management of soil ans also marine conservation.  Draw down is a terminology which is being used which can not only describe a reduction in emissions but can also add a reversing narrative as well. Reversing climate change to a position that is neutral giving our planet the best possible change of conservation survival. 
18.11.18 Update image of Allotment.


Plenty of work as been achieved, however still plenty to do. Fish pond has been filled with water however unfortunately it has a leak. It will need a new liner. Burned a lot of rubbish during Bomb fire week and found a hidden raided bed. Currently I have digging up  compost from my back garden and I am filling raised beds. I was given a number of old window frames which I am going to make into glass covered raised beds. I have also started growing beans on window ledges.

January 2019 Digging has began.

The soil is currently soft and ideal time to lay a pathway and plan growing beds.
Seeds planted, test running a small amount.


Sunflowers


Woad shoots.


Larger area of soil dug, not much to go.

The soil has had some deep weed roots, brock the prongs on my fork.

This area is destined for potatoes and onions. The seed potatoes are bought.Decided to buy early potatoes so I could plant early. Get this veg growing show on the road.

May 2019 update.

Broad beans are on their way, flowering quite nicely. It's important to watch for black fly on these plants.


Potato crop is on its way.



Purple onions these will be ready in October.

Courgette plant. These should bare a lot of courgettes. I am needing to weed quite a lot and I am considering a striker with a battery as their is no electricity at the allotment.
 Seedlings Potting  out.

Once your seeds have grown in small pots, the next thing is to thin out and re pot. It’s not always necessary, however for fine seeds you get little seedlings which need there own space. The hand made pots made from newspaper makes this a lot easier as you can open them up and reveal the seedlings and roots without damageing.
Separating small seedlings into individual pots using hand made newspaper pots. 

Delicate hands are needed for this process. Pulling apart seedlings with care.


I have been using my new generator that runs on unleaded petrol. The ideal suituation would be to use solar power, however I need quite A high ratio of electricity and therefore have purchased this small portable generator from eBay. I have needed to strim back all the green areas as they became really over grown a good 3 ft of grass and nettles. I have been using an electric rotavator as doing by hand was too difficult. 
Currently I am waiting for seedlings to grow a little more before planting out carrots, Swiss rainbow chars and spinach.

New seedlings that have been separated and planted individually in hand made eco conscious upcycled newspaper pots that will decompose naturally allowing seedlings roots to grow outwards.





Monday 15 October 2018

Climate Change a Global Challenge.


                                                        Climate Change
Antarctica Ocean  Santuary Campaign image of a Whales Tail photographed by Jiri Rezac

Climate change is know effecting us all, the world is in a global warming process that scientists, governments and the general public are now aware of. The Antarctic is melting at a rate that is not sustainable which is why a conservation area is needed to be created in this area plus global plans to reduce global warming via a number of different strategies. Presently their is a Southern Ocean whale sanctuary established.This was set up in 1994 via the IWC (International Whaling Commission). However the Japanese government is arguing that it is contravening international conventions for whaling regulations.
What is being proposed is the biggest ever ocean sanctuary on earth within the Antarctic.
The campaign which is being spearheaded by Greenpeace is to increase its present sanctuary which is 50 million square kilometers adding another 1.8 million square kilometers.
If you would like to get involved and sign the petition go to help-create-an-antarctic-sanctuary


Ecology Evolution

My project is an exploration of the natural world, looking at the way natures resources are depleting and how ecology is developing and where it should be heading in order to create a better future for our planet. I will be integrating traditional and digital art to create new textiles and wall art.

Part of my project development is about my own awareness of how my personal choices can help in some small way to reduce my personal carbon foot print and in some way through visual imagery help to encourage others to push for more savings in how we all live and to push for a new bigger Antarctica Sanctuary in order to save the area and all living creatures that live there.

what-if-we-never-started-hunting-whales






                                  Natural Dyes and Ink Development

Using natural processes in designing is part of my project using natural forna to make colours for printing and dying is part of my approach to ecology design practice. I have therefore managed to find an allotment to start my process of printing and dying naturally. Growing your own produce can reduce carbon emissions and encourage others to do the same.
For the purpose of the printing process development I will be looking at forna that is abundant locally i.e nettles, acorns, horse chestnuts. Due to time constraints I may have to use dried flowers and possibly bought organic dye powder. Indigo dye is one natural dye process I would like to develop used in Asia and other natural dye formulas into days textile industry,it can be grown in England easily. It is used in Denim and is a dye that is traditionally exceptionable as a fad-able colour within fabric.
Fez: Morocco Historical Dye Complex: Still being used in the same way as previously in ancient times.    

                                               Tote Bag Developments.








This is the Lino that has been cut using fine and big cutting tool. I will print it onto fabric and also onto some paper. The design is one colour , Indigo onto natural in dyed and cream onto navy linen. Evaluation. It looks like it may need the whale fin bigger, I will find out better when I print it. The lettering needs to be a bit more formalized and the slogan could be improved in some way. The back of the tote could have more information ,swing tickets with more information about the amount of plastic in our oceans and giving actual detail and global pollution issues could be added , however developing eco inks and dyes is far more important than the visual imagery as it would have more impact on developing an answer to my inquiring question.  

Tote bag Manufacture.
The tote bag is madebon cotton canvas because its strong and eco conscious due to its natural properties and its degradable processes which do not effect wildlife in the same way as plastic.

I have been inducted into the fashion department production studio area were I have made up my first tote bag using a bagging out processes for the linning removing any seams showing. The lock stitched are brother and they have steam presses for pressing as you go through the manufacturing process this gelps with the quality and finish of the sample.




Tote bag sample 1. Cream canvas, linned in cotton with internal pocket for phone and pens.

Reworked Tote Bag Design.
Reworking previous design to include mare made style whale tale in a larger scale. Making the lettering more interesting taking inspiration from Rauschenberg poster designs. Keeping the general format and seagull. 



Almost Completed.
The new lino plate to improve on initial print for tote. Larger whale tail, improved waves and re worked lettering. Extension to task: Try a two colour lino print include white surf waves and highlight areas in white and indigo blue. Try other colour combinations black/grey, creams/ochres, reds/ creams.
Ethical Fashion Fashion
Ethical fashion its the new buzz word
for eco friendly clothing that embellishes social responsibilities. Responsible ethical fashion can equate exquisite design and quality without loosing touch with morality and ethical standards. Ethical fashion philosophy embraces the concept of creating beautiful designs
with ethical production practices as a reasonable choice to sustainability concerns about pollution and global warming. An ethical fashion collection means from fibre production to the finishing stitches and through to packaging needs to be eco-conscious using sustainable materials . 
A conscious effort has been made to respect the people involved and also for the  protection of our precious eco system has been carefully considered.

Ethical fashion philosophy can go further by adding ecological campaigning as part of the design content in order to evoke change,to make people aware of their own carbon foot print and persuade them to make changes to the purchase choices.

Below is the beginnings of a tote bag

Using block printing inks and a heavy     roller , inked lino previously cut  has been used to embellish the front panel of the fabric. Developing eco conscious biodegradable  inks is my next development. I intend to  develop new inks for printing using traditional none chemical compounds.           


This had been printed using a hydrolic printing press.Printing onto fabric means you need to use more presser to press into the fabric.This lino print is for a tote bag to encourage people to use less single use plastics for carrying shopping.
Evaluation. The whale tail could be a big bigger to add a bit more impact and also I think I might remove the foreshortening on the whale fin on the left. The ‘our’could be changed as it standing out more from the other lettering. 

Developments

This drawing has been made into a lino cut, I have noticed Antarctica had the c in the wrong place, however some of the lettering could br improved more.Also since changing my tools the background has changed and become less vivid so this also needs re doing. Positives are the whale tail is much better than previous print.

Print in white onto indigo linen fabric.

Tote bag design made in Fashion department, needs trinkets and button adding.

Embroidery added via hand embroidery machine. Adding red onto R as an onomatopoeia phrase representing the feeling of empathy towards saving Antarctica, helping to prevent climate change and saving endangered species by reducing waste within our oceans.
Colourways and fabrics for Tote bags


Calico fabric for economic price bracket for tote bag.

Linen fabrics for medium to high price bracket tote bag.


Up cycled buttons for large tote bag with fastening.

Pom poms for detail on tote bag.




Tote bags i.e bags for life are also key to preventing pollution, plastic bags are killing all kinds of different marine life including wales and turtles, broken down plastics are being eaten by sea birds right down the food chain to micro organisms that fish and sea mammals eat. These plastics eventually end up on our dinner plates.
I will be developing a series of images for eco conscious calico tote bags to improve wastage processes. It is worth checking when you shop if the plastic bags you are paying for our bio degradable. Some small retail outlets are know using fully biodegradable plastic bags including my local garden centre Reg Taylor's Hill farm Nurseries in Normanton Southwell.


           Project Organic Fruit and Veg for Organic Dyes.

Southwell Community Allotment has been producing organic vegetables, fruits and flowers for many years. I have had the fortunate luck to have been given one on an annual rental at a very reasonable price. I will be growing produce on it and using  natures beautiful palette.Using food waste and plants to create natural dyes and inks. Colour varies depending on the weather and therefore using nettles, can be darker in colour or lighter depending on the season.

Project : Allotment needing a lot of de brambling.
wild raspberries need to be kept.
Local practice of covering ground is to prevent weeds growing ready for sowing

Indigo flowers have been used for centuries , I will be planting some next year in ready for harvest later in the year. Dried flowers can also be stored in jars for organic dyes and inks. I may have to use dried as my project proposal dead line is sooner than harvesting would be.The other line of inquiry would be to use local wild flowers and weeds like nettles which creates a lovely natural pale khaki/biscuit shade.Dyes from plants don't always give the same colours and can  also change depending on the weather for the season. Dyes from nettles can also change. Nature dye material can be dried and stored and used rather than using freshly cut. Barks, lynches, marigolds, hedgerow brambles and acorns can be used. Dahlias are also good for dying, the is a very big allotment that specializes in dahlias of which many over with will end up in compost.I may need to ask if I could have some that are wilted and no longer of use to make dyes and also to dry for further development.

                                  My Allotment
The images are of my allotment.I will be showing up dates on how my project of organic fruit and vegetables growing is getting on. The initial photos of my overgrown allotment and photos after a couple of hours of clearing .


Dried out weeds could be useful for dyes.
After cutting back weed a pond is found including local frog freddo, linning of pond may need mending. There is plenty of plastic sheeting on the ground that could be up cycled for this role. Rosehip bush could also be a good source of dye for printing inks.






Brief over view of project

Poster for MA Show The Poster used for the end of project show at University Lincoln. MA studio in Design end of Degree Show June 20...