Artist in Residence Worcester Porcelain Museum

The space where I will be working, up on the second floor has now been identified, complete with blue walls and blue carpet. A table, chair, secure cabinet and better lighting will hopefully be installed prior to Monday April 16th when the project will really start. There will even be access to a kitchen closeby so that I can drink endless cups of tea, just like at home. I have a view through a window nearby and air conditioning for the summer months when it really starts to hot up. The project is now starting to feel very real and imminent. The ideas are also starting to take shape vis a vis subject matter, although they remain still very much in my head. It will be a luxury to focus on my work for a full two days a week, without interruptions. Here's hoping!

Am poring over catalogues in anticipation of placing a large paper order. Have chosen Somerset White Velvet (250g) for my etching paper, a Japanese paper (Tenryu – 70g) for the relief block printing, and Snowdon cartidge (300g) for proofing. At a planning meeting on Monday we will decide whereabouts in the Museum I will be situated for ten months! And we will order the press. Need also to order a few etching sundries, stop out and straw hat varnish, ferric chloride crystals etc.

There is a lot taking place behind the scenes to maximise the Residency when it kicks off after Easter. It will most probably start now at the beginning of May. I can't wait. An etching press will be installed so that I can really investigate the relationship between drawing, painting and printmaking during the ten month period.