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2.2.11  Tools of Art

Tools of Art is the title of this text because whilst in the process of creation i realized the tools had actually become art themselves and were no longer separated from the art work that I had created. It gave an answer to the question, should tools that help you only be practical or can they be aesthetically beautiful just as they are. For me this question needed a creative answer which you can view whilst reading the text. The love of art and the practicality of using my body are integrated with each other through the creation of these tools of art. As a follow up from last semester I continued my research in making painting tools to improve my posture for sitting and to make painting less strenuous for my body. After each painting i had made, i evaluated the way i used my body and researched how I could make painting easier for myself. The Alexander Technique supported me in this process. This chapter intends to provide you with tools for improving your artistic practice.

For more information about the use of the tools and the description please let the mouse hover over the picture.

The Elbow Multi Mover

The first tool I created was an elbow support. I made this using two pieces of wood which were rounded off at the ends. I then connected them to each other, overlapping them and then fixing the two pieces in the middle with a screw. An elbow rest was attached which i made from a aluminous yellow scaffold protection guard. The protection guard is round in form with two openings either end. I sewed two square black pieces of fabric together and filled the pouch with little foam balls to increase comfort. I then used two metal clamps to fasten the device to a desk. It enabled me to sit up right in my chair without tension in my arm whilst effortlessly i painted and drew. It prevented my elbow dragging over the paper and ruining what I had just created.
Pic 2.43

The Crayon Catapult & The Pivot Pen

The second tool i made was a device that would let me draw on the floor using chalk. I took a long piece of silver foam that is normally used to house electrical wire or to cover pipes and put a bamboo stick through it to strengthen it. At the end I placed a short but thick sized piece of foam where i fitted the large chalk, it almost looked like a giant size pen. I then created the device for mobility, made out of wood i cut a board into a shape like x and then on top added a thick rectangular piece of wood which i screwed in. I drilled a whole down through the length of the wood and placed a blue plastic catapult inside which had a string attached to it for more stability if needed. The U shape catapult would be used to hold and guide the chalk writing tool. On the bottom of the x shaped wood i placed 4 wheels with brakes, similar to a shopping trolley. The device gave me a feeling of unlimited range of movement, which enabled me to draw on a much larger scale than i had previously been able to, I could even draw on the street. If I would reproduce this tool again I would make 1 change, to change the shape of the base from X to a circular shape so it would move easier around my wheelchair, other than that I would say it was a success." title="The second tool i made was a device that would let me draw on the floor using chalk. I took a long piece of silver foam that is normally used to house electrical wire or to cover pipes and put a bamboo stick through it to strengthen it. At the end I placed a short but thick sized piece of foam where i fitted the large chalk, it almost looked like a giant size pen. I then created the device for mobility, made out of wood i cut a board into a shape like x and then on top added a thick rectangular piece of wood which i screwed in. I drilled a whole down through the length of the wood and placed a blue plastic catapult inside which had a string attached to it for more stability if needed. The U shape catapult would be used to hold and guide the chalk writing tool. On the bottom of the x shaped wood i placed 4 wheels with brakes, similar to a shopping trolley. The device gave me a feeling of unlimited range of movement, which enabled me to draw on a much larger scale than i had previously been able to, I could even draw on the street. If I would reproduce this tool again I would make 1 change, to change the shape of the base from X to a circular shape so it would move easier around my wheelchair, other than that I would say it was a success.
Pic 2.44

Communication Catalyst (ComCat)

I made my next contraption to help me paint on the floor whilst in my wheelchair, i used a half cut open bottle and tied a long piece of string to a paintbrush. I used both ends of the device which gave very different effects to the painting which I very much liked. After using this device the bottle contracted color, yellow, green, purple, orange etc... from this I saw a simple plastic see through bottle from another perspective. The tool was inspired by the Swiss national sport Hornussen that I came across whilst on a trip to Ha?ftli, I was so enthusiastic about the sport I had to try it out. It was a great experience but I found the stick much too heavy for my liking. Using the idea of the Hornussen I developed a similar tool but lighter and more flexible. It empowered me to paint with more differentiation by using different parts of the tool. I left various unique prints on the painting. A greater freedom of expression was born, I could now see the possibility of different doors opening. I looked at the tool from a different point of view and could now see the tool as a piece of art.The tool almost looks like a way of communication which i think very much relates to the art and the artist joining as one.
Pic 2.45

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