Saturday News (with random photo of me at 17)

And no, the MG was not mine.

I went into Chichester this morning to get some portfolio sleeves prior to mounting some drawing for (potential) interviews. I decided to nip into the Oxmarket Gallery to enquire about exhibition space. Lo and behold, there is a window available from May 15th - 29th. Cue phone call home to ask Mum to send some of my other 'Avebury' pieces down, and renewed vigour for cropping and mounting - now all done except one monoprint and two small tapestries which are still in the process of having their backs tidied up. And on the subject of backs...... mine is behaving extremely well, and I am back at the loom, have been for five days now.

Hoorah and Jubilate!

Display of Work

I put some of last year's work, and a few textile pots from the 'Avebury' series on display in the old bread oven display cases near the dining room. The photos show the whole display, the four 'Avebury' pots and the 'Nefeshot Teomot' pieces - holey stones woven together in pairs - 'twin souls being woven together across space and time'.

Being a bit of a numpty, I forgot to include a label with my name and details on, and the fact that the works are for sale. I will remedy this....

Today, for the first time I...

1. Walked barefoot in the grass (first time this year).

2. Did some welding (first time ever)

I was on a sculpture course for the day, and learned spot welding (for making iron wire maquettes) and MIG welding (for making full size armatures). Great fun. I was working in the forge, which, when the fires are not lit for smithing, is one of the coolest places to be on a hot day. And the last few days have been very warm indeed.

It has been a strange couple of months. Prolapsed lumbar disc and nerve compression (and associated sciatica) began in mid Feb, became acute in early March and made it impossible to finish 'Lament' by Easter as planned. I was able to advance some of the extended practice work so all was not lost, but working at only half speed and strength was very frustrating. I managed to do the library residency that I was committed to over the Easter hols, making a 3D piece ('Experimental Vessel') on the small ring loom, ready to be further treated now I am back at WD. It is my final term; the last months have flown by, and I think the next 12 weeks will zoom. Initial trepidation has been replaced by excitement about work and the future. The weather is beautiful, there is a constant soundtrack of birdsong, and the gardens are leaping into colourful life.

I have tried updating the blog a couple of times, but no joy. Here's hoping for today's effort!