Return to practice. This is an account of me focusing on my textile practice and where its going, funded by Arts Council West Midlands. I’ve spent the last 5 years with my own work taking a back seat to community projects and my young family, now, its back to me…in theory.
The Made to Measure exhibition is up at New Brewery Arts, Cirencester, till 30th May. Apparently being received well, and people visiting. I’ll be manning the studio next week on 26th and 27th May.
I’m wanting to move onto a new series of work, inspired by M2M, but putting a programme together for Rugby Art Gallery and Museum first. I’m trying to put together the makers for their selling craft conservatory for the next 12 months- tying them into their main gallery exhibition schedule. This has really highlighted the need for comprehensive web sites. I am wondering if I need anything other than Axis though- any feedback on that would be appreciated.
Coming to the end of the project- couple of months maybe left. So far, hugely pleased with the progress of my work and of my thinking, in that I feel like my actual physical creative making has caught up to my ideas and mental wanderings of the last 6 years of being child focussed.
Really not sure where the time has gone. Didn’t get into the Herbert, knocked the old confidence a bit, as its all new work, but over that now. Have the impending deadline for Cirencester, then arts weeks, and more opens. Trying to get the proposal together, narrowing it is taking a while. Hubbie taking children to Scotland for 4 days next weekend, so I can work. Four whole days- not had that since… forever. Not posting taking its toll on my guilt levels, have to get into this again.
Have droppped Toys off at the Herbert in Coventry for the Open , to test the waters. We’ll see, there was a huge queue of people dropping pieces off. Always feels a bit odd carrying a single piece of work when in my head my work is my studio, and the process, and the journey, not just a single physical piece. Have to get back out there though, so , we’ll see how it goes.
Have signed up to the Warwickshire Artsweek in July to show the results of the research project- all feeling a bit vague at the moment. My work and thought processes have definately moved forward. Feel like I need to have more evidence of this though.
Working on a proposal, and 3 pieces for the the Made to Measure exhibition. Feeling on top of things, just.
A new morning. I turned 40 on Friday! Not real. Over the last 4 weeks i have spent the time coping with snow, children, being indoors, and sampling, sampling, sampling. I have even finished a new piece. The first in 2 years. I am so happy. Just to have completed something, especially with January not being kind to my time. Am I on a roll?
Not sure how I’m doing with this blog- sometimes it feels like a diary – not having time to post cos I’m so busy doing, but it has definitely kept me on the straight and narrow, focused and keeping my mind on my original proposal for the grant. It’s almost like an appointment I just can’t get out of, but actually when i get there is quite enjoyable.
Capitalising on my new momentum, I’m trying to get immersed in making, but am aware I have to still experiment and not get lost in “Finished Pieces.”
I now have some ideas for proposals for exhibitions, but really floundering as to how to put them on paper, let alone approach anyone with them.
Another appointment to make- My arts development officer , Monica. She is so positive, constructive and demonstrative- love her. Outside my comfort box here I come- talking about my work.
Do love the start of a New Year!
Long list of things to do: finish first sample piece, and hang it- need to get some reactions.
Planning for hats project-2 hats completed- spiders, and plastic coils, and 3 underway- walk-in hat, turban, and faces. 5 more to conjure up.
Planning for lecturing at Nothampton University.
Blurb for Cirencester group TaP show.
Exhibition Officer hat on, need to initiate some more shows for the group.
Workshop here I come.
