Tuesday 18 August 2009




lots of completions

Whoopee ! another module sent off to the assessor. As I have been moaning on about (sorry about that) I have had to get this 'professional practice' module completed ahead of time because of my tutor's holiday colliding with when she was expected to do the assessment but I've managed it - now I'm praying it won't get lost in the post and I've actually done enough to pass. As you can see from the photo it was quite a big parcel stuffed solid with folders full of writing - a lot of hard work but quite instructive and I do feel that I am a lot more knowledgeable now about the business side of the artworld.
Unfortunately my desk now once again looks like a large bomb has hit it so I plan to spend tomorrow digging it out ready for the next onslaught.
I am going full time on my degree now so effectively (all being well) I should knock a year off and be ready to graduate in just under 22 months time meaning the whole thing will have taken 5 years instead of 6. It also means I will be having 2 modules a semester instead of one and therefore my somewhat intermittent blogging may well become even more so after September.
I have also finished mounting up my work for the ERTF exhibition in Cambridge as well as doing some bags, cards etc.. for the shop and they should be ready by the end of next week. So you can see I am clearing the decks all round.
Perhaps, slightly insanely, I have also become part of a new exhibiting group called Aqua-8 (if anyone visits 77belle you might have seen this mentioned) This will give me a chance to do some work that is not entirely restricted by the degree and a chance for some social contact to keep me going during those last modules. You could call it my relaxation work I suppose.
As I have no textile images to post this time I thought I would put up an image from my recent trip to waterperry. These panels came all the way over from Africa and were made by (I believe I've got this right) Zulu women. It is entirely constructed of beading right down to the use of bugles and rocaillies. and it was absolutely amazing - and I think I work hard at my pieces!

Sunday 9 August 2009




Hi honey, I'm home!

Well I'm back from my travels. Not that I travelled very far -just down to darkest Dorset but it was nice to have a break and I love Lyme Regis. I've spent the last few days trying to catch up with everything that has been put on hold and I know I will be working flat out next week to complete my module but that's life.
The week was quite educational. The weather was.... well suffice it say it could have been better but that just meant we had to find things to do that didn't involve sitting on a beach (I didn't even get my paddle but I did manage to dip the toes last week on a quick trip down to Kent). Kirsty wanted to visit Hardy's cottage as she loves the 'Tess' story (can't see it myself -she's the sort of 'heroine' I feel like giving a good shake!). The cottage was located in the middle of a wood so I felt a bit like Goldilocks when we walked to it but was very pretty and had a lovely quilt on one of the beds but no porridge
I also spent a really good morning with feltmaker Mary-Clare Buckle (see Textiles Now by Drusila Cole).I was supposed to be interviewing her in advance of my dissertation but we ended up trading ideas etc... in her studio. She is producing some amazing things combining felt and UV lighting that are very effective. My 15 min interview ended up taking well over an hour and a half and I will be keeping in touch. The family had to drag me away in the end.
My final 'textile foray' (although there was a side trip in pouring rain to look at the willow and wetlands - very appropriate- centre which has seeded some ideas) was to Killerton. Not behind the scenes this time unfortunately as there is nothing like a national trust costume collection all to yourself, but they had some very interesting work wear on show. Its always annoying that you can't get images of the costumes unless you make a special appointment and they NEVER have the postcards you want.
Now its back to reality.
ps. I am in shock- both pieces of my work was selected for the Cambridge exhibition.