I’ve just driven all night long crossing several countries and weather systems and now I’m on the ferry waiting to leave the sun-drenched port of the Hook of Holland.
It’s probably part delirium of no sleep after such a long haul, but it occurred to me I haven’t had a day off since leaving the UK five weeks ago. That’s what residencies are great for: work! I rarely left the studio before midnight anyway; that I love, because the studio is a skip, hop and a jump from the house, it’s warm and there’s usually someone else there beavering away, which all contributes to a great work ethic.
However this time was markedly different from last (summer, when I came here for a much more relaxed R&D residency), because I have had so many obligations to attend to on top of an already over ambitious ceramic project, given the time scale. Ceramics does take time – it’s not exactly a quick method of making work. But I pulled it off! I got everything done that I had to do. However it’s been hard work. I’m pleased with what I achieved but I’ve been surviving on 2-4 hours sleep every night.
I was just musing while driving and wondering how much longer I will keep this speed up? Maybe one day in the not too distant future, visitors will turn up at The Ceramic House door to find a sign that says The Ceramic Empress has changed her name back to Kay and has headed off in the direction of the sun (hopefully with a splendidly tiled surrounding), and maybe that’s where the next part of the Ceramic Empire will be! In other words, I’ll never give it up. It’s all part of trying to survive as an artist. The drive won’t just stop.
