The interview itself went well enough, i had a good feeling and had really enjoyed myself. I arrived to the interview about 40 mins earlier than my time slot, so i sat and had a couple of teas and chatted to some of the people working at Safle. Found out that the interviews were being held exactly the same as they would have been for an artist presenting a commision or idea to Safle. Which i was really pleased to hear! This really was going to be a valuable learning experience for me.
I felt my presentation was somewhat poor, i had rushed it, and hadnt been able to get any practice runs in. Mainly because i was working with my art right up to the morning of the interview.
Either way, i received the phone call Friday night. Saying that they had chosen one of the other candidates for the award this time, but that they had a really enjoyable interview with me. I never know whether to accept statements like that completely, they didnt have to say that they enjoyed the time spent with me – but they are also giving out rejection to young artists (probably for their first time, well it was mine anyway).
I wont lie. I sulked for the whole weekend. It was rubbish, i knew the chance that i had just missed out on. But, a few days on i soon realised the positives to me being shortlisted and the entire experience. They know my name now, and they now my face. And that is definitely something!
During the phone call Safle had also said that they would give me a call in a weeks time with some feedback. Looking back on it now i may have been a little too enthusiastic for the feedback, but i honestly would extremely appreciate it. I mean, i want to know what they think – and i want to improve myself! That phone call should come at the start of the week hopefully.
The rest of the week i gave myself off, i was really at the end of a wire. Needed just to sleep for a few days and eat some decent food. Which staying at my parents allowed me to do. Plus, Devon is such a relaxing place.
Got myself a "new" car, mach 3 golf, which is to help me get to the surrounding areas of Swansea for my artwork to develop. Need that first hand experience! Plus, it allowed me to have another drive around North Devon. I have only really started making the connection now, but physically – in the landscape and towns – the North Devon coast line and the South Wales coast line are nearly exact replicas. Would be interesting to bring this into my coal carving – maybe get hold of some Devon quarried materials too….!
