Well, things are going really well up here in York. I’m still yet to start making some actual physical work but i feel that having a break is just as important. Some ideas are beginning to creep up on me so i’m not panicing too much. My studio space is filling up and looks a little bit more like home. A few students have moved in and established their own little spaces so theres more of a vibe about the place. I’m still a little scared of them all, but i’m sure in time i will get used to being surrounded by so many children! Its the noise that really hits you – its rather draining!
Today i took advantage of the great weather and after a leisurely school brunch headed into town to buy a few bits and pieces for my activities next week – i ended up in the minster park dozing with a book. Spent the afternoon on a wonderful 6 mile (at least) walk into the yorkshire countryside, following the river out of town. It was heavenly. Picked blackberries and went hunting for the perfect conker, we returned to school just in time for tea and an offering of fresh warm apple crumble. Couldnt have been a better day. Add to the mix my horse riding on friday and several explorations of the town, late night basketball and another fruitful carboot, things are going pretty well up here. I have to admit i was a little nervous about leaving london, cutting myself off from it all and becoming less submerged in a professional environment. However, what i’ve found so far is a totally different kind of inspiration – some breathing space and i’ve got real admiration for the talent and dedication of the students here doing their a-levels and gcse’s.
Tomorrow i think i will be covering for one of the teachers, taking 2 a-level classes and a group of year 8s. I should be just what i need to get stuck in – being thrown in at the deep end is sometimes for the best!
Today i’m planning my life drawing classes – i’m starting with a taster session for the a-level students on wednesday and continuing with a 9 week course after that. I’m quite terrified but excited nonetheless. I’m combining techniques from various classes i attended at the RCA, and hope to shake it up a bit…
Well, i still havent started any work. I’ve finally gone through the boxes of stuff i brought from my last studio, and unpacked what i feel it is safe to…. i’m liking my corner now and its starting to feel more like home. However, i still dont feel settled enough to get cracking on a project. I still have bits and pieces to sort and little routine in which to get going. I must be careful not to leave it too long….
Well, yesterday i attended my second ever Quaker meeting. The community in which i am now resident is Quaker and i feel that attending their meetings will help me to understand their beliefs and ethos. I have to admit to a certain amount of claustrophobia, especially within busy rooms. Its more to do with a huge amount of self awareness and my presence within a group of people. In the meetings, we must remain silent for half an hour, and i swear my heart is beating madly the whole time. I’m sure that as time goes on and i get more used to the environment and become comfortable with the other people present, i will start to relax and get more from what should be a meditative experience.
Considering most of my recent work has been addressing the subject of silence and a need for more quiet in our lives, i feel quite strange that i am now reacting in this way. The difference between quiet aloneness and a public silence is quite exteme and the feelings each induces are so contrasting, for me anyway.
I also attended my first ever street party – our little street was filled with tables adorned with a huge banquet contributed to by many residents, and it was lovely to find such a friendly and sociable street – during my 5 years in London, i talked to maybe 2 neighbours. Is it a northern thing or just coincidence? I got talking to one guy who workshops digital storytelling – its sounds perfect for an activity with the kids, and he’s definatley up for it. Great networking, and good cake.
Well, i attended my first northern carboot this morning, and certainly didnt allow myself enough time. The sellers filled the race course fields and i couldnt believe what was on offer – i could have spent the day there. I finally bought a letter tray – something i have been eying up for nearly 2 years but was always over £20 in lonodn – got mine today for £3. Nice. Add to that a cobblers last and hammer, a beautiful woolen blanket, a 20s map of england, some books, 2 jumpers, a smock and a vest, a bag of broken jewelery, an emamel Beatles poster and an antique clock face amongst other things, all for no more than £18. I didnt even get around the whole site as i had to head back for lunch and duty. But with 2 left before it ends for the year, i’ll deinately put it into my diary to go again. Next time i will try to be a bit more focused and get stuff i really need.
As part of my residency i’ll be running activities for the students – textiles, sculpture and experimental jewellery, as well as horse riding, film nights and cookery classes…! I need to sit down and think about how to start these as i have no way of predicting numbers and ages. These pupils seem to work best without too much forced instruction, which is nce and should work well with all i have researched in the past couple of months about Froebel (knowledge through play – see my other blog…)
I’m also starting a life drawing class, and have already had over 20 students sign up. I think i’ll have to run another. I’m impress how keen they seem to be – i was always terrified of life drawing! Luckily, a visiting tutor at the RCA reinspired me and i hope to use some of his techniques for my classes. 20 is definately far too many for one class though. WHen my duty finishes, i’ll be heading to the studio to get my stuff in. The estates team and porters, as wella s the art department staff have been surpridingly supportive of my desire for “stuff” and have helped me out with the bits and pieces i have found and desired within the campus sheds…. beautiful things….
Well, its been 4 days since i loaded up the car and drove the 5 hour journey to York. Since then its been a whirlwind of meetings, inductions, film club, meeting the students and being introduced to far too many people to remember…
I’ve only just got round to painting my part of the studio and intend to organise the rest tomorrow after the much anticipated carboot sale (i’ve been told theyre the best up here…)
I’ve attended my first Quaker meeting (more on that later) and i’ve been stunned by the talent of the A-level students.
I’m keen to get on with my work – i have a few projects in mind – but for now its too hectic…
