`B` Looming assessments!!

Week commencing: 12th Dec. 2011.

This is a little belated as I possibly tempted fate last week with the mention of health and stuff! After having a forced contact with the ground on the way to college on Monday morning, I developed bruising and pain down left of body but mainly my hand, during that night and was advised to visit A & E. which meant leaving early to gain a chance of being seen in the day-light of that Wednesday p.m. It was soon diagnosed as bad bruising and swelling causing pressure on the nerves causing the pain. A splint and sling and painkillers were administered - that will teach me to mention health issues! I did start to de-clutter my studio space this week and managed to get a degree of  

tidiness suitable to bring two plinths in to display the work for assessment. These were painted together with any patches on walls, then the paint was passed around to other studio tidiers.  Since my display of books at Utterby, I have completed a hanging paper sculptural piece, which I particularly like.  The quality of the paper is the crux of the

work, as the spaces and shaping is essential to achieve the sculptural complexity.  The black piece has lights inserted, to enhance the negative and positive qualities.

I believe this type of work would be fantastic constructed of paper-clay.  A stoneware clay can be used for this.  It is a matter of combining paper pulp or mache into the clay and shaping to the required form, then as the piece/s are fired the paper burns away and leaves spaces within  the shapes formed.  Alan, a tutor, has knowledge of this method, and I would love to get the go-ahead to try it, under his direction.  It is often the simplistic forms that make the best sculptures, as shows here with the paper.   The work with the religious books - bound and otherwise contained or shaped has been quite satisfying, and I do have one or two ideas to take this further.  My essay is still awaiting completion for the 13th February, which is not that far away.  There are also some professional practice assignments to complete, and Lightworks to look forward to!
Until maybe the New Year I will say - Buon Natale!

  

                                                           

Winding up - then winding down!!

It was a full-on first two days of this week - then ..............Semester Reviews:- CANCELLED. was posted on e-mails etc and on studio doors!  Was it a relief?

Sculpture `Density` 

Obstacle.

Well, in a way, but it did compound some activity and some people work better under pressure - Dont know why, its crazy.  I may be one of those people as I completed three new works, and was actually considering another piece.  I will be calling in on my studio, tomorrow( Saturday) when I clear my work from Utterby, and will take stock of quality of work and how it will be presented for assessment.  My work will now be easier to handle as there are a few pieces that are hung, and the studio is already equiped for it, and so the  transfer to gallery trauma won`t be necessary.   The 3rd year students will be putting together some of their major work now and certainly the spaces are filling up with diverse objects and constructions.  It is unfortunate though that there is also quite a bit of sickness around the college and its a question of trying to keep healthy and well enough to cope with this last couple of weeks.  I have been lucky so far, so I hope to be okay to finish and for Christmas!!!!  I have enjoyed this semester of work, although I have to admit to a slow start, and I suppose the transition from part-time to full-time could be the reason for that.

Moulded paper work.

I will be helping at the Christmas Fair at the Grimsby Minster tomorrow in the afternoon, and hoping to pop in to Abbey Walk Gallery before that to wish seasons greetings and also look at the exhibition there, which I believe is really good this year.  I would also like to purchase a couple of gifts from both of the events.  Why don`t you mosey on down to Grimsby tomorrow and see what a great selection of wares there are to be had, you will most likely be surprised.  The `Grim` in Grimsby is not as sinister as it sounds!  Look forward to seeing and possibly meeting you tomorrow - you know my name, come and see us all at the Minster. Until then - a presto! 

Frantic antics!

This week brought another quick shuffle for three of us to exhibit our works at Utterby
Church for their Tree Festival - on from 3rd December to 9th December.  Firstly, we had some finishing to do to the Candle and get the stand made for it.  It was necessary to varnish it and stabilise the childrens paint-work and we would then add the gold trim at the top and the inner gold flame relief.

Both Barrie and myself went to Utterby on Wednesday to place our work - an atmospheric piece for Baz and I had the books to place on the pulpit together with the two new pieces I had completed, also religious books. The Log wasnt suitable to be placed in the pulpit as at Wooton, but the Window ledge was definitely beckoning for use.

Baz had been making reflective boxes to use in the room off the altar, and together with his prints and pot he had quite a substantial show.  Chris and Kirk were to provide a

projection show set for the side of the altar.  I was advised by Chris that my work needed a `tweek` and could I go and do this before Saturday - Baz and I went from

college on Friday and it appeared that my work had been displaced but it wasnt possible to move the pulpit to do a total readjustment so I made right what had been moved and left a note to advise that the books were delicate and Penny said she would check it.  So I left things and trust it will be ok.

View of the altar with Barries prints and Carolines window work, above.              

Two of my new book pieces, displayed on old wooden panels.  I hope they will withstand the footfall of the visitors.  I have a smaller piece to complete for assessments on the 16th, and also a paper sculpture or two.  It is the Christmas Fair at the Minster next Saturday 10th December, and I will be attending and helping where necessary. I hopefully will be able to purchase a couple of pressies also.   It is a little hectic towards the end of the semester, and a little sad also as the buzz of camaraderie comes to a decline until the new term begins, which takes us to another episode, in the life of a degree student!  So until next weeks news, ciao!