`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!