Things have calmed down the last two weeks, I’ve managed to get into the studio a few times and actually have started making some new pieces! Nothing is finished yet, but at least I don’t feel so stagnant. My studio sublet at the Motorcycle Showroom will be over in June-ish, and I will be subletting another studio starting the mid/ end of May, at BV studios, this time for 6 months. There will be a little bit of overlap, but at least it will give me some time to move things, hopefully without too much panic or stress. I will also be sharing the new studio with my friend Polly which I am looking forward to, because we are very good at bouncing ideas off each other.
I met with the co-ordinator of Here Gallery last week, where I will be having my small solo show in October. It was a great meeting and I felt really charged up and inspired afterwards, with loads of ideas and connections running through my head. It’s interesting because this is the first time I have been planning the work with a more specific outcome in mind. Usually I create, research, create, research and then let it all take shape in the space as I am installing it, editing or adding to as I go along. Process based. I know this will happen when I install the October show as well, but it’s the first time I have had a more specific focus and theme in mind from the outset, that feeds into the work as I make it. Perhaps I am just more confidant with my practice now that I am more familiar with it, or perhaps it is just naturally developing and growing as my ideas, interests and focus grows. I suspect it’s a bit of both! Turning Point South West with Spike Associates recently put a call out for applications for research travel bursaries. I decided to apply for one, thinking it could be a great chance for me to add to my research for the October exhibition. I have no idea what the chances are of actually receiving one however! I’ll just have to wait and see…
In the mean time, I have recently been invited to be a part of some upcoming group shows/projects and might possibly have something else in the works for further in the future as well, so I am definitely feeling happily motivated…
And of course, there a lot of things I have applied for that I have been patiently waiting to hear about… I think it’s the waiting that bothers me more than possibly not being accepted.., It really sucks when your applications aren’t accepted, but at least after an hour/day/week of sulking and feeling sorry for myself I can brush myself off and move on, try again. It’s the not knowing and the waiting that drives me absoultely insane!
Anyway, I’ve posted some images of a few things I have been working on, nothing finished yet of course. The digital fabric prints I was originally going to make into stuffed characters like I have done previously, but laying them out on the floor like this has actually given me some other ideas, so I might experiment some more this week…
