10th / 17th March
Some much needed planning has started to happen, I had spent a lot of time exploring inks, watercolours, collage, stamps, small prints, and other materials thinking my way towards what I would create for Do The 100 Day Project 2025 and tying it in with artwork for the textiles I will create for my Above and Below installation. I had become so absorbed in that I forgot that my first Public Engagement sessions were due to start. Thankfully I had written the bid with a target group in mind and happily was able to fill the spaces easily, in fact I was oversubscribed. I had originally hoped for 10 people but now have 16 and really didn’t have the heart to turn anyone down.
I know there are more people who would have liked to come but the space can only just cope with this number of participants. I want to have time to enjoy the interaction with the people present, hear their stories, share their recollections about Rockingham Forest. This will inform what I make. Having been a group facilitator for so long I need to find my way back to my own practice, whilst still making work that in informed by the community I am working in, so it is important for me to maintain the boundaries I set for this project and for myself. On the other hand, I hate to disappoint people, but I can’t allow myself to fall back into old ways
At the end of the Eloquent Fold’s “Pebble In My Pocket” I found myself with severe admin / spreadsheet burn out and I needed to take a break before creating a new project with The Eloquent Fold. The one shadow that hangs over this is the Bank Account we use for our projects is now charging £4.50 per month plus a charge for each transaction. The Eloquent fold is a tiny Not For Profit Community Organisation with no paid staff, we only have income if we have had a successful grant application. I am very proud of the work we have done with the community over the last 13 years. We have no core funding and a tiny reserve; it won’t take long for Bank Charges to eat that up; how will we continue? Should we continue? I am busy trying to put this out of my mind for the time being, but every time a statement arrives, there is the anxiety again.
No matter how hard you try to take everything into consideration when putting together a project budget planning and preparation takes more time than you can ever really budget for. I also discovered that I had made a bit of a VAT “Oops”, but nothing insurmountable. So, in the last two weeks I have been drawing together materials and resources. I am trying not to take a huge number of materials with me. For the Rust and Remembrance sessions I have put together a pack of fabric etc for each person which they can add to at home, but its surprising just how much time this actually takes.
There have been good conversations and meetings with Kate, Philippa, Suzanne, and Steve. I must stop worrying about the end and start enjoying the journey. I also need to stop worrying about future work and money, or even just the future. Be in the moment. Enjoy each moment.
At least I know I am prepared and have a group who are keen to get started!
