Initial Research: William Morris

 For my initial artist research I have chosen William Morris to look into. I will be focusing on his wallpaper and carpet patterns, since these connect best to my own project at this moment. Morris' designs revolved around nature, specifically flowers, branches and leaves. As discussed in previous posts, I am looking to connect my jewellery collection to the plants and trees found in Connecticut.

 Fig. 1. Morris, W., Willow Bough, 1887

Morris' designs usually keep the original shape of the plant, twisting its branches and leaves slightly, but most importantly, repeating and elongating them. Willow Bough is a relatively uncomplicated design compared to other patterns, yet this is what makes it most timeless. The colours are gentle and welcoming, as is the pattern itself. I studied the branches and leaves of the plants that I plan on including in my collection, the plants found in Connecticut. I studied the way the leaves sit on the branch, which way they bend and the shapes they take on depending on their positioning on the branch.

 

Fig. 2, Morris, W., Honeysuckle, 1876

Understanding the shapes and movement I am working with is important for the designing process of the jewellery itself, as well as being able to bend them outside their usual shape. This is something that Morris has done in the Honeysuckle pattern. This is my favourite design, not because I would use it in my own house, but because it was most useful in my research. It is a crowded pattern with a lot going on, branches intertwining, leaves curling and a variety in sizes and shapes. I picked out the aspects of the design that I feel would be useful for my project and separated them in my sketchbook. I applied my own leaves to the designs. I personally think these designs would work really well for a piece of jewellery, even if not repeated.

Fig. 3. Morris, W., Jasmine, 1872

Jasmine falls perfectly in between Willow Bough and Honeysuckle to me. Its gentle and muted colours make the pattern feel less crowded, even though there is a lot going on still. The flowers and leaves look the least complicated out of all the designs I have chosen for this post, which conveys a calming atmosphere. Simplicity can be desirable, especially when seen daily. I think this is important to me in terms of my jewellery collection; that I want it to be wearable every day. 

Researching William Morris was incredibly distracting to me in a good way. I was thoroughly interested in his designs and I connected well with his philosophy of not complicating things and seeing value in nature and hand made design. Design does not have to be bold, it can be calming and delicate as well. I thought that Morris' designs translate well to the jewellery that I am designing and I found the patterns a helpful pointer into the direction I want to go in. I was afraid that I would have to go bold to make this project successful, but that is not necessarily true.

Image References:

Fig. 1. The Met (2024). Willow Bough. Met Museum. Available at: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/384022 [Accessed 14 Aug. 2024].

Fig. 2. The Met (2024). Honeysuckle. Met Museum. Available at: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/222341 [Accessed 14 Aug. 2024].

Fig. 3. The Met (2024). Jasmine. Met Museum. Available at: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/383485 [Accessed 14 Aug. 2024].