Many are the means by which happiness is delivered to the human soul. For me, I like finding money in the washing machine. It’s like an accidental, imaginary savings fund.
An ominous clink revealing itself to be the joyful chime of a pound coin is enough to enliven – imagine then the ensuing merriment when no less than three such coins are garnered from the drum! Add this to the results of the morning’s work in the studio, pouring and brushing hot wax and schlepping a heavy plaster-encased mould, finally to reveal a pink, life-sized, man-shaped candle! What a joyous day indeed.
This cast was always a bit of a worry for me, as not only was I convinced that the ears wouldn’t make it in one piece as the harder plaster cast had suffered in those areas, the mould itself hadn’t gone back together correctly and the plaster case had broken as well. While there will still be some filling and chasing to do, the wax cast so much better than I’d hoped for, and the ears came out without a single issue. I had coloured the white wax pellets with some red candles, and after my concerns about the resulting mixture being too pale, I realised that the wax darkened as it cooled and became a sickly, sugary, tacky pale pink – absolutely perfect! (My apologies to anyone who has candles in that specific shade of pink.)
Now the next task is to get hold of some heat-and-pour soap without breaking the bank. I’ve spent more than enough on materials so far, and three quid isn’t going to help much. Especially seeing as I’m the only adult in my house, so any money that comes out of the machine was mine to start with. Money’s a big issue for the whole group at the moment, not just in terms of materials for the new work we’re making for the show, but around putting on the show itself. At least we’ve got two free venues.
At the beginning of the week, Xanthus and I drove up to the university’s Medway campus. One of our tutors also works there, and had arranged a meeting for us with Amanda Beech, primarily to discuss the MA program, which she heads. The facilities were undeniably impressive, even in the process of construction. I’m not sure whether logistically it would be a good choice for me: simply getting there would commit me to a substantial amount of time spent driving, besides the amount I’d have to pay in childcare to make the Monday evening lectures. It’s the same thing I’d have to think about anywhere else though, and it’s made me start to question the entire MA route. I got the feeling that although none of it is beyond me in any way, I just don’t have the kind of freedom that’s required for it. The reality of not having a studio in a few months’ time hit home as well, and despite being mentally prepared, I’ll hate it. A few of us in the group have been kicking around the idea of setting up our own studios, but none of us can really think about it properly right now.
The post-graduation issue is still weighing on my mind, though. I’m trying not to get too attached to the idea of the art history MA course I’ve already applied for in case things don’t work out. If not, I’ll have time to research other courses and apply to the ones that are right for me. Then there’s an internship which I’ve put myself forward for. I need to make more noise about that as well. That’s apart from the constant, recurring thought of whether I should move closer to London. Just thinking about it is dizzying sometimes, but it’ll be fine. I think. What I’m looking forward to is having a bit of time for unfinished projects and for writing. A year out might be the best thing, actually. I’ve even got an idea for my next blog, which is jumping the gun, I know! Right now I ought to be thinking about making paintings and buying soap ingredients. Oh, and figuring out how to make a cake version of Phil. One tutor wants to cut him up and serve him to the guests at the Medway exhibition’s closing party. After weeks on display? I’d pass.
