My whole mood has changed… aaahg!!!… I was so up for writing positively when I started but have just deleted my opening paragraph…
What is it with these people? Why this deliberate, determined push to undermine our subject? We really must have upset somebody…
I’ve already had four weeks GCSE prep time taken off my pupils. I was informed that Math’s, Science and English revision was far more important – that my Art students would be better advised revising for those than preparing for their exam…
And now it has just been announced that there is to be a controlled Math’s assessment in the middle of my exam and that my pupils must do this instead… FFS!.. raging isn’t the word…
I have to trust (despite having already informed those that need to know that this will devastate my results), that my pupils will come through. Although this feels like a conspiracy – my numbers for GCSE uptake are going through the roof, and I suspect (paranoid now) that judgments will be made on future results; to undermine – I’m sure it isn’t and that government pressures are the driving force behind this…
I no longer want to write like this… I don’t want to publish this… I don’t like how I sound… yet a good cuss is great for the soul….
I have a good bunch of pupils… I have taught them well… everything is exactly the way it is meant to be… I will get them the results they deserve…
* * * * * *
One of my favourite expressions is “there’s no such thing as coincidence”…
It’s funny how fate reveals itself to us – or is it “God calling” as I once was told? There is a definite change afoot in my life… something has changed, be it attitude, ambition or paralysis… that has given me an extraordinary start to the year… little incidents that have mounted up and cascaded into minute windows of opportunity… fortune offers optimism… and I’m feeling like I’ve been blessed providentially…
Is the focus changing or am I just seeking solace in my passion? I’ve never been one to really self promote or sell myself… for a teacher, I’m pretty quiet, shy and withdrawn – or is that how I’ve become? Is that where teaching takes us? Is this the balance to daily exuberance… performance?
Anyway…
If a genesis is happening, it started at the beginning of this year in ASDA when I encountered an artist friend of mine whom I hadn’t seen for a while, but whom lives a mile down the road from me! We both graduated from KIAD Canterbury around a similar time, but she has gone on to huge success, particularly in the Far East, whilst my career has followed alongside education. On hearing that I’d completed my Masters and was now actively once again pursuing art, she suggested that I should enter the National Sculpture prize…
…minute windows of opportunity…
Now, I’m not a sculptor, but hey… what the hell… nothing ventured, nothing gained… I entered…
The second “coincidence” came shortly after. I had booked myself a portfolio review at the National Centre for Craft and Design, which isn’t too far from where I reside and one of my favourite galleries. I took work from the “ONE” show that I’d had last year with Elena Thomas hoping it might lead to joining the Design Factory – a community of craft makers and designers…
…minute windows of opportunity…
Now, I’m not a craft maker, but hey…
Serendipity three happened as a direct result of donating to the initial kickstarter fundraising event for the upcoming “COLONIZE” exhibition in New York, that Elena Thomas is exhibiting in… http://sciartistprojects.wordpress.com/links/ …
… minute windows of opportunity…
Now, I’m not normally in the habit of donating to such like things, but hey…
How many similar minute windows have I missed in the past?
I am 1st reserve in the sculpture competition… should one of the top ten drop out, my piece goes in..!
NCCD advised me to put in a joint proposal with Elena for a show…!
I have two pieces of A5 work going to New York..!
Happy?..
…don’t even get close…
