Swansea Metropolitan University

Today has been so busy.

Drove all the way back from Devon, got in at 7pm only to clean, unpack and add more onto my Eisteddfod portfolio.

and then suddenly, ive become stuck.

Do i put in more, or have i already put too much in? Should i give the basics as to not waste their time? Or should i give them every tiny detail so they can fully see what this project could truly be?!

Even though ive technically "finished" my degree, i can't help but feel that there is no way anyone can be completely prepared…..or maybe there is, and ive just missed out on the secret lectures. Every application is so unique and individual, it needs to be remade each time… or maybe it doesn't. But id prefer to – i think, i like to build up my portfolio each time – it reminds me what is there AND lets me aim it towards what i am proposing, only show what's relevant.

I think i might need to sit a degree in business training….

But as a wonderful distraction to portfolio building, i have been going through images and have chosen two installation views and two details photos of my exhibition work. Hope you all enjoy.

Been a busy week, and I thought invigilating the exhibition would mean I could get work done. The place was a lot busier than I had originally thought it would be, and people were talking and had a real buzz about them. Maybe I was a bit too wound up from all the hard work to really appreciate what we actually managed to put together – and such a small group of us.

(Oh, how the tides have changed ey)

So I still haven’t sent my portfolio off yet, in fact – I haven’t had the chance to get all my images printed off high quality…. shhhh! But I’ve got a solid two day work plan to gather the key items I need to include. I’m thinking of putting the extra hours in and collecting some DVD footage of my installations.

Im feeling rather drained today, dropped my boyfriend off at Bristol airport today – as he worked with John Cale he got a ticket to the opening night and manage to get a job invigilating for the month of June in Italy… lucky git! After an intense first 8 months of our relationship – of spending nearly every waking second together…. having each others art crisis’s to manage on top of your own personal apocalypse (it didn’t help that our installation rooms in the exhibition were connected) we managed to get through it and now we have a solid month apart…. and im going to miss him. He’s really kept my enthusiasm and my hopes high – proved to me how much an artist community really thrives off of relationships of all types. I want to start getting my face out there, need to get the artist in me well fed and fully networked!

I want to upload some images showing the outcomes of my "the space between us" project, there’s more to be done, and I’m really excited about pushing these further… but for the exhibition they were a good example of where my work had developed too. I am starting to think, that even if I didn’t get the funding from the young artist award, I might try and save and go on the glass forming course anyway. I have to make sure this proposal works, time to eat loads of tuna and get my thinking cap on.

But not tonight, too sleepy…

….dont let the bed bugs bite

Well, i left it an extremely long time again before i posted a blog. Old habits dont die fast.

So, the assesment was last wednesday, the external assesment on thursday (and i was chosen to be spoken to) and the opening night was Friday!

I arrived at university at 6:30pm to switch on my video installations and get ready for the opening at 7. My room had all the lights switched on, none of the projections on and the door was unlocked – i was not impressed at all. Especially since i left the room locked, if they had the thought process to unlock the door noted "Do not unlock" they could have at least switch the work on! Excuse the french but "For Fucks Sake!" was going through my mind. It wouldn't have been such a problem but people were already wondering around the exhibition, a fair few people – since 6pm!!!! Thats when the photography degree show opened upstairs and no-one decided to man our doors or even say something to the people wondering around (or even think to get hold of me or switch on my work) … instead they merrily sat at the bar drinking.

I had wanted to the night to be a celebration together, but i couldn't help feeling that people were being very self-involved. Looking back at all the work and considering if it was worth it – i'm not sure what i would say but I don't think i ever want to be in an exhibition with so many different artists again… unless it is organised by an external body. It is so much work to do, and i take my hat off to curators.

But on the positive side of things, i was really happy with my work. There was a nice buzz was the exhibition was in full swing – i spoke to a lot of people about my work and i had time to catch up with my family and friends. I spoke to a few people that were draw in by "Reflections", the technical side of "Reflections" had really intrigued them. Which was a great compliment to me, as i want to develop my work with the intention of pushing video installation to be executed in interesting ways. On top of all that a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders, and what a weight!!!

I feel so rested this weekend, and ready to get into the paper work – admin side of art while i invigilate my area of the show. Got a couple of proposals i've been asked to write up from some galleries near by and a portfolio to put together. Be nice to let my body heal from all the bumps and bruises i received during the exhibition build too.

I hope everyone enjoys their opening nights, its a great end to the mayhem.

The catalogue hasn't arrived yet, but the invites have, and i'm now waiting on my business cards to be delivered.

My exhibition pieces look as if they are coming together, or at least that they will in time for my assessments.

Even though i have little spare time, i've volunteered to help out with this years Art Across the City in Swansea. Locws have been really good, Grace is absolutely marvelous, ive enjoyed helping Megan Broadmeadow install Ship-Shape – shes really nice, and it's been really great talking to the public while invigilating. So even though im squeezing it in, its been great fun and well worth it.

I want to continue being a part of events like this around South Wales, and after my degree i will hopefully have time to do so. My last shift with Locws is tomorrow, and my parents are also coming up – so i can show them around and my dad is handy on Monday for any last min building i need a hand with.

Next week is going to be so busy, i need to find the energy from somewhere… i might invest in some super-power caffeine drinks.